Constanta lies on the western coast of the Black Sea, 185 miles north of Istanbul and Bosphorus Strait (Turkey)
and 99 miles north of Varna (Bulgaria).
An ancient metropolis, Romania's oldest continuously inhabited and the country's largest seaport, Constanta traces its history some 2,500 years. Originally called Tomis, legend has it that Constanta was visited by Jason and the Argonauts after finding the Golden Fleece.
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.
Constanta flourished during the 13th century when Genoese merchants dominated the Black Sea but, the city began to decline two centuries later when it fell under Turkish rule.
During the Ottoman era, its name was shortened to Constanta.
Fine mansions and hotels were built in the 19th century when King Carol I decided to revive Constanta as a port and seaside resort.
The third-largest city in Romania, Constanta is now an important cultural and economic center, worth exploring for its archaeological treasures and the Old Town's architecture. 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.
In the city, you can see, the Casino. Completed in 1910, according to the plans of architects, Daniel Renard and Petre Antonescu, Constanta Casino is a stunning art nouveau structure, with Art-Deco accents, perched on a cliffside overlooking the Black Sea. The pedestrian area around the Casino is the city's most popular promenade. The casino has been closed since 1990 and needs major restoration works. Once considered Romania's very own Monte Carlo, Constanta Casino is today ... one of the most beautiful abandoned buildings.
We recommend you to visit The Great Mahmudiye Mosque. 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.
