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The best things to see in Constanța, Romania

Constanta is a city on the shores of the Black Sea, in southeastern Romania, with a long history dating back more than 2,000 years.


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Constanta is a city on the shores of the Black Sea, in southeastern Romania. Its long history, dating back more than 2,000 years, is documented in the Museum of National History and Archeology, near the port. The adjacent Roman Mosaics complex features floor tiles dating from the 4th century AD. The surrounded stone carpet is furnished near the Grand Mahmoudiye Mosque, while the towering minaret overlooks the city.


1. Carol I Mosque

Carol I Mosque
Carol I Mosque

The Grand Mosque of Constanța stands on the site of the former Mahmudia Mosque (Geamia Mahmudia), built in 1822 by Hafız Hüsseyin Pașa and named after Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II. The Grand Mosque of Constanța was commissioned in 1910 by Romanian King Carol I. Construction began on 24 June 1910 with the first cornerstone laid in the presence of Spiru Haret, contemporary Romanian Minister of Religious Affairs; Sefa Bey, contemporary Ottoman ambassador in Bucharest; and the Ottoman consul in Constanța. The project was funded by the Romanian Government and entrepreneur Ion Neculcea and finished construction in 1912.


2. The Museum of Natural Sciences Constanța

The Museum of Natural Sciences Constanța

The Natural Sciences Museum Complex (Complex Muzeal de Stiinte ale Nature) is a place where you can see a wide variety of flora and fauna. The museum has several sections: aquarium, dolphinarium, micro-reserve, planetarium, an exotic birds reserve and also horse riding facilities.


3. Genoese Lighthouse

Genoese Lighthouse
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The Genoese Lighthouse is a lighthouse and historic monument situated on the waterfront of the city of Constanța, Romania behind a group of statues which has in its center the bust of Mihai Eminescu, sculpted by Oscar Han. It is located near Constanța Casino. The lighthouse stands approximately eight meters high and is rectangular at its base to a height of about three and a half meters, and is octagonal above that. The interior of the lighthouse is cylindrical, with a spiral staircase in stone. The structure itself stands upon a pedestal base consisting of two steps and is finished at the top with brackets supporting the eaves, upon which the metal housing of the lantern room also forms the roof. 


4. Ovidiu Island

Ovidiu Island
Ovidiu Island

Ovidiu Island is a small island located in Siutghiol Lake, west of the Black Sea. The island is part of Constanța County, Dobruja, Romania. It is located 500 meters off the coast, being close to the city of Ovidiu and the resort of Mamaia.


5. Constanta Art Museum

Constanta Art Museum
Constanta Art Museum

Located in downtown, at the intersection of Tomis and Ferdinand avenues, the Art Museum is an institution that impresses with the artistic values that it holds. Known as the second institution of its kind in Romania, after Bucharest Art Museum, Constanta’s Art Museum is housed in a building with a history full of significance for the seaside city. The imposing building that today hosts the collections of the Museum of Art was the first high school of Constanta. The educational institution was built between 1891 – 1893 at the initiative of the mayor at the time, who wanted to change the look of the town by some impressive buildings. The school was named “Prince Ferdinand and Princess Maria” and accommodate two individual educational institutions and entirely separate: one for boys and one for girls.