Constana
The fourth largest commercial port in Europe is located on the Black Sea, in Romania. It is a well-known and increasingly popular tourist center and is called Constanta.
A long time ago, the Roman elegist and poet Ovid was exiled to Constanta, Romania, and spent the last years of his life there. Today it is hard to believe that a stay in this beautiful seaside resort could be a punishment for anyone. Constanta is the second largest city in Romania, and as a port connected to the Danube, it is the main transit center for the Danube countries.
Ovid's Constanta
In the 19th century, the inhabitants of Constanta contributed to a monument dedicated to the Roman exile. Today, a statue of the pensive artist stands in Ovid Square , in the very center of the old city. The most important attractions of the resort are located near the square, including the Museum of History and Archeology, where you can see, among others, mammoth tusk, coins and hunting tools. Another priceless exhibit are figurines dating from the 5th-4th centuries BC - "The Thinker and his wife".
At Ovid Square stands the three-story Edificul Mozaic cu Roman complex, which can be jokingly called a medieval shopping mall. In the past, it housed shops and workshops, and the remains of the city baths have also been preserved to this day. Nowadays, only part of the building can be visited - the one with colorful mosaics.
Cazinoul , an Art Nouveau casino, is also a huge attraction of Constanta. It stands right by the sea and its surroundings are closed to traffic. Tourists' attention is also drawn to the magnificent Casa cu Lei (House of the Lions), a luxurious, richly decorated building.
Attractions of the area – Mamaia
Not far from the center of the resort there is a popular swimming pool, Mamaia . It attracts tourists not only with its 8-kilometer-long sandy beach stretching along the spit, but also with its climate. It is the largest and oldest holiday resort in the country, crowded with tourists mainly from May to the end of September due to the temperature during this period (25-30°C). Outside the season, life there practically comes to a standstill.
Mamai Beach is long but narrow. It lies on a strip of land only 300 meters wide. It is separated from the mainland by Lake Siutghiol, which means that the sound of water comes from both sides to sunbathers. The swimming pool itself offers tourists the opportunity to admire the area from a bird's eye view - there is a gondola lift there. The local attractions also include an amusement park, an open-air theater and a cinema.
The resort attracts water sports enthusiasts, with diving and windsurfing being the most popular here. The area offers ideal conditions for cycling and hiking - in the immediate vicinity there are many tiny villages with unique folklore and atmosphere. It is worth spending some time to see the ruins of the ancient Greek castle of Histria. Lovers of walks can also enjoy a long pier built before the war. It juts into the sea from the casino side.
Where to stay?
As befits seaside resorts, neither in Constanta nor in Mamaia can you complain about the lack of accommodation. People interested in staying at a campsite can choose, for example, Camping Lebada Navodari , located in the northern part of Mamaia. It is large and well-equipped, has access to a 1.5-kilometer beach, and also has several sports fields, including: for basketball, beach volleyball and football. As for prices, for example, for an overnight stay in a caravan we will pay 15 leu, which is approximately PLN 14.
If someone is planning a vacation on the Black Sea, they should think about Constanta. It is becoming more and more popular, so in the near future it may be as crowded as Spanish or Italian swimming pools. Therefore, it is worth taking the opportunity to enjoy it without the so-called wild crowds.
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A writer by profession, a passion of a cat. One day he will see what is behind the Urals - good to Vladivostok. So far, when he can, he enjoys the sun of the countries of southern Europe. And it's also fun;)
