Founded by Greek colonists from Miletos in the 6th century BC, Tomis was conquered by the Romans in 71 BC and renamed Constantiana by Roman Emperor Constantine the Great in honor of his sister. The name was shortened to Constanta during the Ottoman era. During the 13th century, Italy, especially Genoese merchants, dominated the Black Sea and Constanta flourished, only to decline two centuries later under Turkish rule. Fine mansions and hotels were built in the 19th century when King Carol I decided to revive Constanta as a port and seaside resort.
Constanta is the fourth largest port in Europe, ranked just after Rotterdam, Antwerp and Marseille.
The third largest city in Romania, Constanta is now an important cultural and economic centre, worth exploring for its archaeological treasures and the atmosphere of the old town centre. Its historical monuments, ancient ruins, grand Casino, museums and shops, and proximity to beach resorts make it the focal point of Black Sea coast tourism. Open-air restaurants, nightclubs and cabarets offer a wide variety of entertainment. While in the area, you can visit traditional villages, vineyards, ancient monuments and the Danube Delta, a bird-lover's paradise.
» City Landmarks
Constanta is more than just the entry point to the Black Sea coast. It is a place with a long and interesting past, attested by its many Roman vestiges, historic buildings, facades and mosques that color the Old City Centre.
Ovidiu's Square (Piata Ovidiu)Designed by the sculptor Ettore Ferrari in 1887, the statue dedicated to the Roman poet, Ovidius Publius Naso, gives name to this square. Emperor Augustus exiled Ovid to Tomis in 8 AD.
The Roman Mosaics (Edificul Roman cu Mozaic)
Address: Piata Ovidiu 12 (next to the National History & Archeology Museum)
Open: Tue. - Sun. 10:00am - 6:00pm; Closed Mon.
A vast complex on three levels once linked the upper town to the harbor. Today, only about a third of the original edifice remains, including more than 9,150 sq ft of colorful mosaics. Built toward the end of the 4th century AD and developed over the centuries, it was the city's commercial centre until the 7th century. Archeological vestiges point to the existence of workshops, warehouses and shops in the area. Remains of the Roman public baths can still be seen nearby. Aqueducts brought water six miles to the town.
The Genoese Lighthouse (Farul Genovez)
Address: Str. Remus Opreanu
Soaring 26 feet, this lighthouse was built in 1860 by the Danubius and Black Sea Company to honor Genoese merchants who established a flourishing sea trade community here in the 13th century.
During the 1914 visit of the Russian Imperial Family, the casino was host to a royal gala. Despite diplomatic negotiations, Grand Duchess Olga refused the proposed marriage to Prince Carol of Romania and the Russians sailed away. The Grand Duchess was later killed by the Bolsheviks along with the rest of her family.
The Casino (Cazinoul)Address: Blvd. Carpati 2
Tel: (241) 617.416
Completed between the two World Wars in art nouveau style according to the plans of the architects, Daniel Renard and Petre Antonescu, the Casino features sumptuous architecture and a wonderful view of the sea. The pedestrian area around the Casino is a sought-after destination for couples and families, especially at sunset.
The House with Lions (Casa cu Lei)Address: Str. Nicolae Titulescu 9
Blending pre-Romantic and Genovese architectural styles, this late 19th century building features four columns adorned with imposing sculptured lions. During the 1930s, its elegant salons hosted the Constanta Masonic Lodge.
The Archaeology Park (Parcul Arheologic)
Address: Blvd. Republicii
The park houses columns and fragments of 3rd and 4th century buildings and a 6th century tower.
St. Peter & Paul Orthodox Cathedral (Catedrala Sf. Apostol Petru si Pavel)
Address: Strada Arhiepiscopiei 25
Tel: (241) 611.408
Constructed in Greco-Roman style between 1883 and 1885, the church was severely damaged during WWII and was restored in 1951. The interior murals display a neo-Byzantine style combined with Romanian elements best observed in the iconostasis and pews, chandeliers and candlesticks (bronze and brass alloy), all designed by Ion Mincu and completed in Paris.
The Great Mahmudiye Mosque (Moscheea Mare Mahmoud II)
Address: Strada Arhiepiscopiei 5 (Ovidiu Square)
Built in 1910 by King Carol I, the mosque is the seat of the Mufti, the spiritual leader of the 55,000 Muslims (Turks and Tatars by origin) who live along the coast of the Dobrogea region. The building combines Byzantine and Romanian architectural elements, making it one of the most distinctive mosques in the area. The centerpiece of the interior is a large Persian carpet, a gift from Sultan Abdul Hamid. Woven at the Hereche Handicraft Centre in Turkey, it is one of the largest carpets in Europe, weighing 1,080 pounds. The main attraction of the mosque is the 164-ft minaret (tower) which offers a stunning view of the old downtown and harbor. Five times a day, the muezzin climbs 140 steps to the top of the minaret to call the faithful to prayer.
This mosque was the first reinforced concrete building in Romania. In time, the steel-concrete rusted; restoration of the tower and cupola was completed in 1959.
The Hunchiar Mosque (Geamia Hunchiar)Address: Bulevardul Tomis 39
Built in 1867 - 1868 by order of Sultan Abdul Azis, the mosque was constructed of sandstone taken from an Ottoman bridge which had been destroyed in 1828. Its architecture reflects Moorish style and the interior still preserves original Oriental ornaments.
Historic Churches
St. Mina Orthodox Church (Biserica Ortodoxa Sf. Mina)Address: Parcul Tabacarie
Built by master carpenters from the Maramures region in authentic Romanian style, this is the biggest wooden church in Romania, 85 ft long and 40 ft wide topped by a 140-ft tower.
St. Anthony Roman-Catholic Church (Biserica Romano-Catolica Sf. Anton)
Address: Str. Titulescu 11
Dating from 1937, this church was built after architect Romano de Simon's plans. The structure is shaped like a Roman basilica, specific to the northern part of Italy. The buttress and geometrical motifs are reminiscent of the 13th century Romanic style.
» Museums
Art Museum (Muzeul de Arta)Address: Blvd. Tomis 82-84
Tel: (241) 617.012
Open: Wed. - Sun. 9:00am - 8:00pm (October - May, 9:00am - 5:00pm); Closed Mon. & Tue.
Admission charge
Established in 1961, the Art Museum exhibits more than 7,300 Romanian contemporary art masterpieces - paintings, sculptures, ceramics, china, upholstery and furniture. A century of Romanian art is on display, ranging from the works of Theodor Aman and Nicolae Grigorescu to those of Ion Jalea and Corneliu Baba. Here, you will have the opportunity to view the Black Sea and Constanta through the eyes of the artists who portrayed them.
Folk Art Museum (Muzeul de Arta Populara)
Address: Blvd. Tomis 32
Tel: (241) 616.133
Open: Mon. - Sun. 9:00am - 7:30pm (October - May, 9:00am - 5:00pm)
Admission charge (English tour guide available)
Some 16,000 exhibits from all ethnographic regions of Romania are on display here. Folk costumes, jewelry, interiors of traditional peasant homes and household items illustrate the traditional way of life in various parts of the country. On the ground floor, a valuable collection of icons painted on glass dates from the 18th and 19th centuries. Folk arts and crafts are available at the museum gift shop.
Ion Jalea Museum (Muzeul Ion Jalea)
Address: Str. Arhiepiscopiei 26
Tel: (241) 618.602
Open: Wed. - Sun. 10:00am - 6:00pm; Closed Mon. & Tue.
Admission charge
The museum features works in bronze, marble, stone and gypsum by Ion Jalea, one of the forefathers of modern and contemporary sculpture.
National History & Archeology Museum (Muzeul de Istorie Nationala si Arheologie)
Address: Piata Ovidiu 12
Tel: (241) 618.763
Open: Mon. - Sun. 9:00am - 8:00pm (October - May, 9:00am - 5:00pm)
Admission charge
An impressive collection of artifacts from Greek, Roman, and Daco-Roman civilizations is on display illustrating the history of Dobrogea from the Stone Age to modern days. Greek and Roman objects can be found on the main floor. Two statues, one of the "Glykon - The Fantastic Snake," dating from the 3rd century BC, and the other of "Goddess Fortuna and Pontos," god of the Black Sea, are considered protectors of the city and port and are the highlights of the collection.
Romanian Navy Museum (Muzeul Marinei Romane)
Address: Str. Traian 53
Tel: (241) 619.035
Open: Tue. - Sun. 9:00am - 5:00pm; Closed Mon.
Admission charge (English tour guide available)
Organized chronologically in four sections, the museum features charts, moldings, ancient and modern boat models, navigation instruments, documents and photographs. You can find a dug-out canoe made from a single tree trunk, a navigation case from the 16th century, a mid-17th century celestial globe made in Venice and models of Greek triremes. The open-air exhibition, displaying life-size anchors, propellers, engines, surface and anti-aircraft gun mounts, offers a wonderful panorama of the Constanta harbor.
Aquarium (Acvariul)
Address: Blvd. Elizabeta 2
Tel: (241) 611.277
Open: Mon. - Sun. 9:00am - 8:00pm
Admission charge
Opened in 1958, the Constanta Aquarium houses representatives of 60 species of fish from the Black Sea and the Danube Delta, as well as from the seaside lake. The most significant is the collection of sturgeons, one of the largest in the world.
Dolphinarium (Delfinariul)
Address: Blvd. Mamaia 255
Tel: (241) 831.553
Open: daily with 30-minute shows at 10:00am and 2:00pm
Admission charge
Two sea lions, John and Lorry, and the veteran star dolphin, Mark, will put on their best "moves" for you.