scubish.com: Travel information for Constanta

Constanţa (prounounced Constantza) is a coastal Black Sea town in souther Dobrogea, Romania. It is the second most important city in the country. During summer it is a beautyful touristical city to visit. It is the capital of the Constanta county and the largest harbour at the Black Sea. It is a great city to begin to explore the wonders of the sea.

Understand

Constanta, the second largest city with its 350,000 inhabitants, was founded by the Greeks as a port on the Black sea for trading with inland people and called Tomis (VIth C. BC). The city was renamed later after Constantia, sister of Constantine the Great (274-337). It was still a flourishing port city in the Xth and XIth centuries trading with the Byzantine Empire and the city of Genoa.

Get in

You can get to constanta by land, air and water.

By car

The most popular route is the Bucharest-Constanta highway.

the roads are good in constanta compared to the rest of the country.but beware of speed bumps and speed traps in the center which are meant for reducing the cars speed

By bus

There are daily buses that connect Constanta with the rest of the country.

By train

Constanta's train station has connections with the rest of the country. The Intercity is usually recommended. In the summer there are some modern looking Siemens trains which look nice, but are very unconfortable even at First class.

By plane

Constanta has an international airport called mihail kogalniceanu which is about 20 km of constanta.

By ship

Constanta is the largest port in the black sea and the forth largest in europe.there are ferry servicies from here to instambul(600 km) and greece.not expensive and comfy but slow

Get around

You can use the public transport system (buses, trams, trolleybuses and maxi-taxis) or cabs.to get to mamaia you can take the 301 mini van called maxy taxi but it s very crowded .the best option is a taxi(the romanian name is taxi) and they are painted yellow.they must have they re fee on the cab door,if not,don t get in.also insist on starting the meter.but try to avoid the cabs right next to the train station who ,as in every major city(i speak from experience) try to take advantage off tourists. try walking 100 meters from the station and then waive to a cab.the typichal fee from the train station to mamaia will be between 5-10 euro s ,depending on we re you are going.
See

constanta has been continuously inhabited for 2500 years so there is a lot to see

The old Casino at the harbour was opened in 1911. It was built in the Art Nouveau style and conceived by two architects, Petre Antonescu and Daniel Renard (of Swiss extraction but born in Rumania).

The statue of Ovid (Born 43 BC in Sulmona, died in AD 17 in Tomis/ Constanta). The statue by Ettore Ferrari was erected in 1887 after a public subscription (the same statue can be seen in Sulmona). In AD 09 Ovid was sent in exile by Augustus for obscure reasons. He wrote his Tristia in Tomis.

the history museum is a interesting place with foreign language guides available.it houses a great deal of unique greek and roman statues and glassware which is very rare.also outside the museum are some marble tombs and artefacts

The Archeological Park right in the center of the city is a nice place for a walk if you re in the area

Museums

* The National Museum of History and Archeology displays an impressive collection of pieces from the Greek and Roman antiquity (for example, the Glycon Snake, Fortuna and Pontos, Two-faced Nemesis and countless amphoras).

*The Popular Art Museum

*The Navy's Museum

*The Sea's Museum

*The Harbor's Museum

*The Ion Jalea Sculpture Museum

* The Great Mosq, at a stone's throw from Ovidiu Square, was the first public building made of concrete in Rumania (1910), a gift from King Carol I to the small moslem community.

Beach

*You can do sunbathing or you can swimm in the Black Sea. There is a large beach called Modern right in the middle of the city, which is favored by locals and is near the marina. Very very shallow waters(you can walk for 20-30 meters and the water won't pass your knees) so it's suited if you want to take your kids there and let them play safely in the water. The most significant beaches are in the Mamaia resort which is in the north parth of Constantza. It consists of about 6-7 kilometers of sandy beaches with no rocks; the width of the beaches vary from 20 to 150 meters. It's also full of hotels, clubs and bars and extremely popular and fashionable in the summer. Moreover in the off season (september-april) they are a great place for taking pictures walks, or rides with the atv s or enduro motorcycle and there are some centers for renting atv s near the Cleopatra bar at the beggining of the resort. If you arrive by car from May to September you might expect to pay an entrance fee of 3 lei (1,1 dolars or 0,7 euros) at the entrance ticket booth for your car, although last year (2006) the tax was off. The ratio of free parking/paid parking is around 40/60% and the parking lots with the fee are guarded and not that expensive (2 leis per hour) and a good alternative especially if you are on a motorcycle because people will climb your bike to take pictures on it. The paid parking places are marked with a white P on a blue background.

Walk

*You can stroll the city's streets, the hystorical penninsular area which has a special charme, the sea coast, the Tomis marina (you can have lunch at a nice restaurant right in the marina, which is shaped like a wave, they have very fresh sea food delivered daily), or one of the many parks, on the lake-side or through the ruins of the ancient greek colony Tomis.

Shopping

*You can shop downtown, on the Ştefan cel Mare street where most big shopping centers are situated.

Cinemas

* Glendale Multiplex (in Tomis Mall), Str. Ştefan cel Mare, Nr. 36-40, Tel. +40-241-515-353;

Bars and clubs

*There are many bars and clubs open in Constanta, especially during summer-time. recomended locations, motor club ,morgana amnesia domino in constanta open all year round and a lot of summer clubs in mamaia:club xxi(21) ,megalos,amnesia(open air) la mania,k'my s,ultyma playa. there are international star dj s invited (everyone you can think of from deep dish to fatboy slim and david morales) in the summer .

Theatres

* Lyrical Theatre, B-dul Tomis, Nr. 97, Tel. +40-241-615-268

* Drama Theatre Ovidius, Str. Mircea cel Batran, Nr. 97, Tel. +40-241-619-440

* Elpis, Str. Alexandru Karatzali, Nr. 16, Tel. +40-241-618-992

* "Fantasio", B-dul Republicii, Nr.11, Tel. +40-241-615-416

* Teatrul de Vară "Fantasio", Parc Tăbăcărie, Tel. +40-241-642-187

* Classical Ballet Theatre"Oleg Danovski", Str. Răscoala din 1907, Nr. 1, Tel. +40-241-660-346; Web - http://www.balletdanovski.ro

Sea Tours

*You can get aboard a tour boat from the tomis port which will take you on a trip to the open seas and back.

Buy

You can do your shopping at one of the following shopping centers:

Tomis Mall www.tomis.ro

Complex TOM ( Carrefour + BricoStore )

City Park Mall (under construction) www.city-park.ro

Constanta Mall (coming soon) www.constantamall.ro

Metro Cash & Carry I

Metro Cash & Carry II

Real Hypermarket

Praktiker

Selgros Cash & Carry (Rewe)

Billa (Rewe)

Penny Market (Rewe)

Kaufland (under construction)

Mega Image (Delhaize Group) I

Mega Image (Delhaize Group) II

Prestige Center

Casa Modei

Doraly Mall

Complex Cina

Metropol

Eat

A typichal meal at a restaurant is around 8-10 euro per person including drinks. Waiters usually know some english and menus are usually written in english. International cuisine is present, you should try the wines which are very good and not that expensive.

You will find a lot of fast food places selling kebab and shaworma(a nice mixture of grilled chicken sallads french fries and sauces wrapped in a lipia (a sort of thin pancake used as a substitute for bread by turks), very good and not that expensive (around 5 lei /1,3 euro for a big one)

International fast-food

*McDrive

*McDonald's (Tomis Mall: ground floor, 3rd floor)

*KFC (Tomis Mall: 3rd floor; TOM)

*Pizza Hut

Acropolis, Str. General Manu, Nr. 1; Tel. - +40-742-692-234;

Adris, Str. Lct. Economu, Nr. 30; Tel. - +40-241-550-611;

Albatros, Str. Traian, Nr. 52; Tel. - +40-241-615-717;

Amarilis, Str. I.C. Brătianu; Tel. - +40-241-511-185; Fax - +40-241-692-679;

Ambient, B-dul Mamaia, Nr. 191; Tel. - +40-241-614-401;

Aristocrat, B-dul Tomis, Nr. 279; Tel. - +40-241-692-021;

Aspendos, B-dul Tomis, Nr. 48; Tel. - +40-241-617-612;

Astoria, P-ţa Ovidiu, Nr. 5; Tel. - +40-241-611-285;

Au Coq Simpa, Str. Ştefan cel Mare, Nr. 19; Tel. - +40-241-614-797;

Avanti, B-dul Tomis, Nr. 334; Tel. - +40-241-693-992;

Bad Rock, Str. Călăraşi, Nr. 1; Tel. - +40-721-204-000;

Balada, B-dul 1 Decembrie 1918, Nr. 12; Tel. - +40-241-625-327;

Bel Ami, Str. Poporului, Nr. 24; Tel. - +40-241-609-522;

Beta Steak House, Str. Ştefan cel Mare, Nr. 6; Tel. - +40-241-673-763;

Bianco, Str. Cişmelei, Nr. 8; Tel. - +40-241-551-391;

Big Foot, B-dul Mamaia, Nr. 155; Tel. - +40-723-954-491;

Bonjour, B-dul Tomis, Nr. 114;

Bulevard, B-dul Mamaia, Nr. 294; Tel. - +40-241-831-533; Fax - +40-241-831-606;

Can, Str. Theodor Burada, Nr. 1; Tel. - +40-724-978-822;

Capitol, B-dul Mamaia, Nr. 69; Tel. - +40-241-520-522;

Capriccio, B-dul Alexandru Lăpuşneanu, Nr. 89; Tel. - +40-241-542-151;

Casa Ana, B-dul Tomis, Nr. 17; Tel. - +40-241-553-999;

Casa Tomis, Str. Remus Opreanu, Nr. 8; Tel. - +40-241-619-486;

Cazino Constanţa, Str. Carpaţi, Nr. 1; Tel. - +40-241-617-416; Fax - +40-421-617-416;

China Town, Str. Zorelelor, Nr. 67; Tel. - +40-241-609-660; Mobil - +40-721-776-699;

Chinese Garden, Str. Mircea cel Bătrân, Nr. 148; Tel. - +40-241-670-717;

Drink

There are many bars in the city especially during summer-time.

Sleep

Budget

Dobrogea, B-dul Alexandru Lăpuşneanu, Nr. 194; Tel. - +40-241-666-615; Fax - +40-241-655-503

Florentina, B-dul I.C. Brătianu, Nr. 21; Tel. +40-241-512-535; Fax - +40-241-510-202

Jolie, Str. Murgescu, Nr. 42; Tel. +40-241-697-638; Fax. +40-241-697-638

Neco Metropol, B-dul Mamaia, Nr. 114; Tel. +40-241-831-883; Fax +40-241-831-584

New Safari, Str. Karatzali, Nr. 1; Tel. +40-722-322-461

Sport, Str. Cuza Vodă, Nr. 2; Tel. +40-241-617-558

Tineretului, B-dul Tomis, Nr. 20; Tel. +40-241-613-590; +40-241-611-290

Turist, B-dul Mamaia, Nr. 288; Tel. - +40-241-831-006; Fax - +40-241-831-006

some hotels in mamaia are open in the winter and you can get very good deals on accomodation in the off season,

Mid-range

Adris, Str. Lct. Economu, Nr. 30; Tel. - +40-241-550-611; Fax - +40-241-550-611

Amarilis, B-dul I.C. Brătianu; Tel. - +40-241-511-185; Fax - +40-241-692-679

Capri, Str. Mircea cel Bătrân, Nr. 109; Tel. - +40-241-553-090; Fax - +40-241-553-090

Cora, B-dul Mamaia, Nr. 201; Tel. - +40-241-555-575; Fax - +40-241-613-179

Guci, Str. Răscoalei din 1907, Nr. 23; Tel. - +40-241-695-500; Fax - +40-241-638-426

Intim, Str. N. Titulescu, Nr. 7-9; Tel. - +40-241-617-814; Fax - +40-241-618-285

Maria, B-dul 1 Decembrie 1918, Nr. 2D; Tel. - +40-241-611-711; Fax - +40-241-616-852

Millenium, B-dul Mamaia, Nr. 135; Tel. - +40-241-607-317; Fax - +40-241-607-341

Minihotel Adry'S, Str. Lct. Economu, Nr. 30; Tel. +40-241-550-611; Fax. +40-241-550-661

Oxford, B-dul Alexandru Lăpuşneanu intersecţie cu B-dul Aurel Vlaicu

Palace, Str. Remus Opreanu, Nr. 5-7; Tel. - +40-241-614-696

Splurge

Bulevard, B-dul Mamaia, Nr. 294; Tel. +40-241-831-533; Fax. +40-241-831-606

Dali, Str. Smârdan, Nr. 6A; Tel. - +40-241-619-717; Fax - +40-241-616-114

Royal, B-dul Mamaia, Nr. 191; Tel. - +40-241-542-690; Fax - +40-241-545-882; www.hotelroyal.ro

Constanţa (pronunciation in Romanian: ; historical names: Tomis, Κωνστάντια or Constantia, Kustendje or Köstence, Кюстенджа) is the largest Romanian seaport on the Black Sea, the largest city in Dobruja and the capital of Constanţa County. It is also one of the biggest cities in Romania.

Geography

In the vicinity there are mineral springs, and the sea-bathing also attracts many visitors in summer. The chief local industries are tanning and the manufacture of petroleum drums. Mamaia is a beach resort immediately to the north.
History

A number of inscriptions found in the town and its vicinity show that Constanţa lies where once Tomis stood.

Tomis (also called Tomi) was a Greek colony in the province of Scythia on the Black Sea's shore, founded around 500 BC for commercial exchanges with local Daco-Getic populations. Probably the name is derived from Greek Τόμη meaning cut, section.

According to the Bibliotheke it was founded by Aeetes:

: "When Aeetes discovered the daring deeds done by Medea, he started off in pursuit of the ship; but when she saw him near, Medea murdered her brother and cutting him limb from limb threw the pieces into the deep. Gathering the child's limbs, Aeetes fell behind in the pursuit; wherefore he turned back, and, having buried the rescued limbs of his child, he called the place Tomi. "
:( Bibliotheke I, ix, 24 )

According to Jordanes (after Cassiodorus), the founder of the city was a Getae queen (Jord. De origine actibusque Getarum, "The origin and deeds of the Goths"):

: "After achieving this victory (against Cyrus the Great) and winning so much booty from her enemies, Queen Tomyris crossed over into that part of Moesia which is now called Lesser Scythia - a name borrowed from Great Scythia -, and built on the Moesian shore of the Black Sea the city of Tomi, named after herself."

In 29 BC the Romans captured the region from the Odryses, and annexed it as far as the Danube, under the name of Limes Scythicus.

In AD 8, the Roman poet Ovid (43 BC-17) was banished here by Augustus and died there eight years later, celebrating the town of Tomis in his poems. A statue of Ovid stands in the Ovid Square (Piaţa Ovidiu) of Constanţa, in front of the History Museum (the former City Hall).

The city was afterwards included in the Province of Moesia, and, from the time of Diocletian, in Scythia Minor, of which it was the metropolis. After the split of the Roman Empire, Tomis fell under the rule of Byzantine Empire.

Tomis was later renamed to Constantiana in honour of Constantia, the half-sister of Constantine the Great (274-337). The earliest known usage of this name was "Κωνστάντια" ("Constantia") in 950. The city lay at the seaward end of the Great Wall of Trajan, and has evidently been surrounded by fortifications of its own.

After successively becoming part of the Bulgarian Empires, the independent principality of Dobrotitsa/Dobrotici and of Wallachia under Mircea I of Wallachia, Constanţa fell under the Ottoman rule around 1419.

A railroad linking Constanţa to Cernavodă was opened in 1860. In spite of damage done by railway contractors there are considerable remains of ancient masonry walls, pillars, etc. An impressive public building, thought to have originally been a port building, has been excavated, and contains the substantial remains of one of the longest mosaic pavements in the world.

In 1878, after the Romanian War of Independence, Constanţa and the rest of Northern Dobruja were ceded by the Ottoman Empire to Romania. The city became Romania's main seaport and transit point for much of Romania's exports.

On October 22, 1916 (during the World War I), Constanţa was occupied by the Central Powers (German, Turkish and Bulgarian troops). According to the Treaty of Bucharest in May 1918, article 10.b (treaty which has never been ratified by Romania), Constanţa remained under the joint control of the Central Powers. The city was liberated by the Allied troops in 1918 after the successful offensive on the Thessaloniki front which knocked Bulgaria out of the war.

Politics

The current mayor of Constanţa is Radu Ştefan Mazăre (Social Democratic Party).

The Constanţa Municipal Council, elected in the 2004 local government elections, is made up of 27 councilors, with the following party composition:

Local media

Newspapers and magazines

Cuget Liber

Adolescentul

Litoral

Telegraf

Observator de Constanţa

Independent

Atac de Constanţa

Jurnalul de Constanţa

Replica de Constanta

Television Stations

TV Neptun