One Day Tour to Constanta (The Ancient City of Tomis)

Meeting point: Benjamin Franklin Parking (nearby landmarks: Romanian Athenaeum Concert Hall & Hilton Athenee Palace Hotel), District 1, Bucharest

Departure hour: 08:00 AM

Operating days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Duration: 10-12 hours

 Situated at the crossroads of several commercial routes, Constanta lies on the western coast of the Black Sea. 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 colour the Old City Centre.

Highlights of the trip:

• The Museum of Archeology and History Constanta
• The Great Mosque
• The Aquarium Constanta
• The Roman Edifice with mosaic
• The Black Seacliff and the Royal Casino
• Mamaia seaside resort

Program

The first part it will be driving on the highway to Constanta, crossing the bridge over the Danube (the first bridge was built in 1895 by the Romanian engineer Anghel Saligny during King Carol I). Also, we will pass the Nuclear Power Plant made by a Canadian Company starting with the beginning of 1978. After 3 hours of driving, we will reach Constanta where we head to the Historical Center.

Constanta is the oldest town attested on the Romanian territory. The first documentary attestation of this city dates back to 657 BC when in the area was founded a Greek colony called Tomis. The Greek settlements have been conquered by the Romans in 71 BC and renamed Constantiana, after the sister of the Roman Emperor Constantin the Great. During the 13th Century, the town was developed by the Italian merchants from Genova. Constanta has declined during the Ottoman rule period. After the Romanian war of Independence 1877-1878, Constanta starts to rise back and has been developed until the present as the largest harbour in Romania.

Sights to be visited in Constanta:

The Museum of Archeology and History Constanta
Founded in 1878, the museum contains relics and pieces of architecture from the Greek and Roman period.

The Roman Edifice with mosaic
Discovered in 1959 by archaeological excavations, the edifice reveals an original Roman Mosaic, part of the commercial harbour, dating back to the 4th Century.

The statue of Ovidius
The statue representing Publius Ovidius Naso (43BC-17AC). The statue is located in the Ovidiu Square and was built in 1887 by the Italian sculptor Ettore Ferrari.

The Muslim Mosque
Built between 1910-1912 as a homage to the local Muslim community, the inauguration was made in the presence of Carol I (the first king of Romania). It was first named Carol I and later it was renamed Mahmud the Second. Going up in the Minaret Tower you can have a splendid panoramic view of the whole city of Constanta.

The Orthodox Cathedral
The Orthodox Cathedral Saints Peter and Paul was built between 1883-1895 by the famous Romanian architect Ion Mincu. It is a monument of Byzantine architectural style.

The Aquarium Constanta
Inaugurated in 1958 as the first public aquarium in Romania, you can see here a variety of fish species including a large collection of sturgeon.

After lunch, the day ends with the driving back to Bucharest.

The tour lasts approximately 12 hours.

Please note:

The timetable is subjected to change due to heavy city traffic and roadworks.

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