CONSTANT

Located halfway from Istanbul to Odessa Constana (Constant; 300 000 residents) is the most important Romanian port (supposedly a miniature of the Genoese port) and the second largest city in the country.

The ancient Greeks called her Tomis, for the Romans she was Constantine. W 1877 r. seaside (name from the time of Turkish rule) passed into Romanian hands and gradually gained more importance, especially after getting a rail link with Bucharest.

Numerous souvenirs have remained from each period of the colorful history of the city; in parks and squares, and even some streets were lined with antique sculptures, great pitches (ancient clay vessels for storing grain), marble columns, stones with Greek and Latin inscriptions. The picturesque old town is drowning in a lazy Mediterranean tranquility, the general impression is only spoiled by industrial facilities in the north and west. One afternoon is probably enough to visit some interesting museums. The beaches in Constanţa itself are crowded and dirty, sunbathing amateurs should rather go to the nearby Mamaia, only about 20 minutes by bus.

Orientation

The train station is lying 2 km west of the old town. Luggage storage is open 24 hours a day in the basement, in the transition from the main hall to the platforms. To the right of the exit at the kiosk, you can buy tickets for public transport. Trolleybuses go to the old town #40, 41 i 43, along Ferdinand Boulevard to Victoria Park (fourth stop from the station). Trolley #41 runs all the way to Mamaia.

Information

ONT Carpati tourist offices, on bulevardul Tomis opposite Victoria Park, provides services only to Romanians. A little further to the south-east is the Agenda de Turism Intern (tel.617127), Tomis Boulevard 46, which organizes private accommodation after 10 $ from person (pn.-pt. 8.00-17.00, sb. 8.00-13.00).

Automobile Clubul Roman (tel.611849), Tomis Boulevard 141, building T-l, on the way to Mamaia, sells hotel passes.

Embassies – The Turkish Consulate is located near the station, Ferdinand Boulevard 82, where you can buy a visa to enter Turkey (pn.-pt. 8.00-12.00).

Money – BANCOREX, Traian street 2, exchanges traveller's checks for US dollars or Romanian lei (1,5% commission, minimum 5 $; pn.-pt.9.00- 13.00). Danubis Exchange, Ferdinand Boulevard 44, proposes more favorable rates.

Post and telecommunications – The telephone exchange is located at the main post office, Tomis Boulevard 79 (codz.7.00-22.00). Country code for Constana: 041.

Dangers and troubles – The scourge of Constana are street tricksters and groups of pushy kids. The former are masters of deceptive tricks, the children, on the other hand, hang around large crowds of tourists, they smile and wave at them, while depriving them of their wallets.

Sightseeing

The most famous attraction of Constana is the Archaeological Museum on Piata Ovidiu, occupying three floors (gum. pn. i wt.). Most of the exhibits are signed in English and German. The most remarkable collection is presented at the bottom of the vault. The sculpture of Glykon must not be overlooked, snake with the mouth of an antelope and human eyes, ears and hair.

Archaeological finds from the Roman times of Tomis can be seen in the nearby square. There is another museum opposite, which preserves huge Roman mosaics from the 3rd century. (the most beautiful work of this type outside Italy), found in 1959 r. and left in situ, only covered with a glass roof. Ovidiu comes from 1887 r. statue of Ovid, in honor of the Roman poet, which – sent to Constana in 8 r. n.e. – he was probably buried here.

To the south there is a huge mosque (1910). It leads to the top of the minaret 141 degrees; it happens, that the entrance is closed. Jaszcze, on the same street, there is a cathedral (1885). On the right you can see the statue of Saligna, which towers over the modern port.

From the monument, a quiet promenade leads along the coast, from where there is an endless view, the quiet Black Sea. On summer evenings, kids have fun here, couples strolling affectionately, and the old people sit on the benches, playing chess. It is nice to have a coffee or a beer on the terrace of the neo-baroque casino (1910), it is not worth visiting a nearby aquarium. Further on, on the promenade, there is a Genoese lighthouse (1860). The pier offers a wonderful panorama of the old town.

Coming back to Piata Ovidiu, towards the Hotel Continental in the northwest, in the middle of the bulevardul Tomis you pass another mosque and the notable Folk Art Museum (Museum of Folk Art; gum. pn.), in the ornate building to the right. Behind the hotel on the left is Victoria Park, where you can see the remains of the Roman city walls, several Roman sculptures and a modern Victory Monument.

Exhibition of the Maritime History Museum (gum. pn.), Traian street 53, it meticulously presents the beginnings of Roman history. All signatures are in Romanian only, but the pictures themselves tell a lot of information. Ion Jalea Art Gallery, Tomis Boulevard 22, in front of the Continental Hotel, has a modest collection of sculptures, by Ion Jalea, artist from Dobruja.