Constana

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Constana

Constana belvedere

Flag

Coat of arms

Constana

Coordinates:

4410.4N 2838.3ECoordinates:

Country

Romania

County

Constana County

Founded

7th century BC as Tomis

Government

4410.4N 2838.3E

 Mayor

Radu tefan Mazre

Area
City

124.89 km2 (48.22 sq mi)

Metro

1,013.5 km2 (391.3 sq mi)

Elevation

25 m (82 ft)

Population (2011 census[1])

City

283,872

Density

2,273/km2 (5,890/sq mi)

Metro

425,916

Ethnic
groups

Romanians, Tatars, Turks,Roma, Lipovans, Macedonians,Greeks, Armenians

Demonym

constnean, constneanc (ro)

Postal code

900xxx

Languages

Romanian

Website

Constanta.RO

Sister cities: Sulmona, Turku, Yokohama, Brest, Istanbul,Rotterdam, Odessa, Boulogne-surMer, Dobrich,Thessaloniki, Mobile, Trapani, Sidon, Lattakia, Heraklion,zmir, Alexandria, Santos, Havana, Shanghai, Perugia,Novorossiysk.

Constana (Romanian pronunciation: kon st nts ( listen)), historically known

as Tomis (Greek: or ,Konstantia, Bulgarian: or
, Turkish: Kstence), is the oldest still-populated city in Romania. It was founded around
600 BC. The city is located in the Dobruja region of Romania, on the Black Sea coast. It is the
capital of Const n Countyand the largest city in the region.
Constan is the fifth most populous city in Rom ni . The Const n metropolit n re includes 14
localities within 30 km (19 mi) of the city, and, with 425,916 inhabitants,[1] it is the second
largest metropolitan area in Romania.
The Port of Const n has an area of 39.26 km2 (15.16 sq mi) and a length of about 30 km
(19 mi).[citation needed] It is the largest port on the Black Sea, and one of the largest ports in Europe.[2]
Contents
[hide]

1 History
2 Geography
3 Climate
4 Demographics
5 Economy
6 Transport
7 Tourism
o 7.1 Main sights
8 Neighborhoods

9 Politics
10 Media
11 Sports
12 International relations
o 12.1 Twin towns Sister cities
o 12.2 Consulates
13 N tives of Const n
14 Education
15 References
16 Studies
17 External links

History[edit]
See also: History of Dobruja

Const n p nor m in 1910

The port of Const n in 1941

Tomis (also called Tomi) was a Greek colony in the province of Scythia Minor on the Black
Sea shore, founded around 600 BC for commercial exchanges with the local Getic populations. The
name may likely be derived from Greek meaning cutpiece, section.
According to one myth dating from Antiquity, found in the Bibliotheca, it was founded by Aeetes:
"When Aeetes discovered the daring deeds done by Medea, he started off in pursuit of the
ship; but when she saw him near, Medea murdered her brother and cutting him limb from
limb threw the pieces into the deep. Gathering the child's limbs, Aeetes fell behind in the
pursuit; wherefore he turned back, and, having buried the rescued limbs of his child, he
called the place Tomi."[3]
Another legend is recorded by Jordanes (after Cassiodorus), who ascribes the foundation of the
city to a Getae queen (The origin and deeds of the Goths):
"After achieving this victory (against Cyrus the Great) and winning so much booty from her
enemies, Queen Tomyris crossed over into that part of Moesia which is now called Lesser

Scythia - a name borrowed from Great Scythia -, and built on the Moesian shore of the Black
Sea the city of Tomi, named after herself."
In 29 BC the Romans captured the region from the Odryses, and annexed it as far as the
Danube, under the name of Limes Scythicus.
In AD 8, the Roman poet Ovid (43 BC-17) was banished here by Augustus, where he found
his death eight years later. He laments his exile in Tomis in his poems: Tristia and Epistulae
ex Ponto. Tomis was "by his account a town located in a war-stricken cultural wasteland on
the remotest margins of the empire".[4]

Statue of Ovid in front of the National History and Archaeology Museum

A statue of Ovid stands in the Ovid Square (Piaa Ovidiu) of Const n , in front of the
History Museum (the former City Hall).
A number of inscriptions found in the city nd its vicinity show th t Const n lies where
Tomis once stood. The city was afterwards included in the Province of Moesia, and, from the
time of Diocletian, in Scythia Minor, of which it was the metropolis. After the 5th century,
Tomis fell under the rule of the Eastern Roman Empire. During Maurice's Balkan
campaigns, Tomis was besieged by the Avars in the winter of 597/598.
Tomis was later renamed to Constantiana in honour of Constantia, the half-sister
of RomanEmperor Constantine the Great (274-337). The earliest known usage of this name
w s "" ("Const nti ") in 950. The city l y t the se w rd end of the Great Wall of
Trajan, and has evidently been surrounded by fortifications of its own. After successively
becoming part of the Bulgarian Empire for over 500 years, and later of the independent
principality of Dobrotitsa/Dobrotici and of Wallachia under Mircea I of Wallachia, Const n
fell under the Ottoman rule around 1419.
A r ilro d linking Const n to Cern vod was opened in 1860. In spite of damage done by
railway contractors there are considerable remains of ancient masonry walls, pillars, etc. An
impressive public building, thought to have originally been a port building, has been
excavated, and contains the substantial remains of one of the longest mosaic pavements in
the world.
In 1878, after the Romanian War of Independence, Const n nd the rest of Northern
Dobruja were ceded by the Ottoman Empire to Romania. The city became Romania's main
seaport and transit point for much of Romania's exports.
On October 22, 1916 (during World War I), the Central Powers (German, Turkish and
Bulg ri n troops) occupied Const n . According to the Treaty of Bucharest in May 1918,
rticle 10.b ( tre ty never r tified by Rom ni ), Const n remained under the joint control
of the Central Powers. Allied troops liberated the city in 1918 after the successful offensive
on the Thessaloniki front knocked Bulgaria out of the war.

In the interwar years, the city became Romania's main commercial hub, so that by the
1930s over half of the national exports were going through the port. During World War II,
when Romania joined the Axis powers, Const n w s one of the country's m in t rgets for
the Allied bombers. While the town was left relatively undamaged, the port suffered
extensive damage, recovering only in the early 1950s.

Geography[edit]

Mamaia, dministr tively

district of Const n

M m i , view tow rds Const n

Const n is the dministr tive center of the county with the same name and the largest city
in the EU Southeastern development regionof Romania. The city is located on the Black
Sea coast, having a beach length of 13 kilometres (8 miles). Mamaia, an administrative
district of Const n , is the l rgest nd most modern resort on the Rom ni n co st. Mineral
springs in the surrounding area and sea bathing attract many visitors in the summer.

Climate[edit]
Const n is one of the w rmest cities in Rom ni . It h s moder te subtropical
climate with considerable maritime and some continental influences. There are four distinct
seasons during the year.
Summer (late May to mid September) is warm, dry and sunny with a July and August
average of 23 C (73 F). The beginning of summer brings plenty of precipitation, but by
early July the weather becomes settled and dry. Most summer days see a gentle breeze
refreshing the daytime temperatures. Nights are warm and somewhat muggy because of the
heat stored by the sea.
Autumn starts in mid or late September with warm and sunny days. September can be
warmer than June, owing to the heat accumulated by the Black Sea. The first frost occurs on
average in mid November.

Winter is much balmier compared to other cities in southern Romania. Snow is not abundant
but the weather can be very windy and unpleasant. Winter arrives much later than in the
interior and December weather is often mild with high temperatures reaching 8 C (46 F) 12 C (54 F). Average January temperature is 1 C (34 F). Winter storms when the sea
becomes particularly treacherous are a common occurrence between December and March.
Spring arrives early but it's quite cool. Often in April and May the Black Sea coast is one of
the coolest places in Romania found at an altitude lower than 500 m (1,640.42 ft).
4 of the warmest 7 years since 1889 occurred after the year 2000 (2000, 2001, 2007 and
2008). The winter and the summer of 2007 were respectively the warmest and the second
warmest in recorded history with monthly averages for January (+6.5C) and June (+23.0C)
breaking all-time records. Overall 2007 was the warmest year since 1889 when weather
recording began.
Climate data for Constana
Month
Record high C (F)
Average high C (F)
Daily mean C (F)
Average low C (F)
Record low C (F)
Precipitation mm (inches)

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

18.3

24.5

30.8

31.9

36.9

36.9

38.5

(64.9)

(76.1)

(87.4)

(89.4)

(98.4)

(98.4)

(101.3)

3.7

4.9

8.1

13.8

19.3

23.8

25.9

(38.7)

(40.8)

(46.6)

(56.8)

(66.7)

(74.8)

(78.6)

0.5

1.6

4.6

9.9

15.5

20.0

22.0

(32.9)

(34.9)

(40.3)

(49.8)

(59.9)

(68)

(71.6)

2.3

1.0

2.1

6.9

12.1

16.2

18.0

(27.9)

(30.2)

(35.8)

(44.4)

(53.8)

(61.2)

(64.4)

24.7

25.0

12.8

4.5

1.8

6.4

7.6

(12.5)

(13)

(9)

(23.9)

(35.2)

(43.5)

(45.7)

30

29

26

30

38

40

30

(1.18)

(1.14)

(1.02)

(1.18)

(1.5)

(1.57)

(1.18)

7.0

7.0

4.2

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

(2.76)

(2.76)

(1.65)

(0)

(0)

(0)

(0)

Avg. precipitation days ( 1.0 mm)

Mean monthly sunshine hours

83.4

85.7

133.9

179.7

264.1

282.2

319.9

Snowfall cm (inches)

Source #1: Hong Kong Observatory,[5] (extremes 1901-2000)[6]

Source #2: NOAA (snow only)[7]

Demographics[edit]
Historical population of
Constana

Year

Population

1853

5,204

1879

5,430[8]

4.3%

1900

12,725[9]

134.3%

1912
census

27,201[10]

113.7%

1930
census

59,164

117.5%

1948
census

78,586

32.8%

1956
census

99,676

26.8%

1966
census

150,276

50.7%

1977
census

256,978

71%

1992
census

350,581

36.4%

2002
census

310,471

11.4%

2011
census

283,872

8.6%

According to the 2002 Romanian census, there were 310,471 people living within the city of
Const n , m king it the fifth most populous city in Romania.
As of 2011, 283,872 inhabitants live within the city limits,[1] a decrease from the figure
recorded at the 2002 census.
After Bucharest, the capital city, Romania has a number of major cities that are roughly
equ l in size: Const n , I i, Cluj-Napoca andTimio r .

The metropolit n re of Const n has a permanent population of 387,593

inhabitants,[1] i.e. 61% of the total population of the county, and a minimum average of
120,000 per day, tourists or seasonal workers, transient people during the high tourist
season.
Ethnicity

1853[11]

1896[12]

1912[13]

27,201

2002[14]

310,471

2011 (est.)[1]

All

5,204

10,419

254,693

Romanian

279 (5.4%)

2,519 (24.1%) 15,663 (57.6%) 286,332 (92.2%) 230,969 (90.68%)

Tatar

1,853 (35.6%)

277 (1%)

8,724 (2.8%)

7,379 (2.9%)

2,451 (9%)

9,018 (2.9%)

6,693 (2.6%)

2,202 (21.1%)
Turkish

104 (2.0%)

Greek

1,542 (29.6%) 2,460 (23.6%) 3,170 (11.6%) 546 (0.17%)

N/A

Bulgarian

342 (6.5%)

1,060 (10.1%) 940 (3.4%)

48 (0.01%)

N/A

Jewish

344 (6.6%)

855 (8.2%)

1,266 (4.6%)

44 (0.01%)

N/A

n/a

n/a

2,962 (0.95%)

2,108 (0.83%)

Roma/Gypsy 127 (2.4%)

Economy[edit]

View tow rd Const n shipy rd

As of 1878, Const n w s defined s "poor Turkish fishing village." As of 1920, it was

called "flourishing," and was known for exportingoil and cereals.[15]

Const n is one of Rom ni 's m in industri l, commerci l nd tourist centers.[16] During the
first h lf of 2008, some 3,144 new comp nies were est blished in Const n nd its
neighbouring localities, a number surpassed only in Bucharest and Cluj County.[17] The Port
of Const n is the l rgest on the Bl ck Se nd the fourth l rgest in Europe.[18] The city also
boasts a comparably large shipyard.[19]
Tourism has been an increasingly important economic activity in recent years. Although
Const n h s been promoted s se side resort since the time of C rol I, the development
of naval industry had a detrimental effect on the city's beaches.[20] Nevertheless, due to its
proximity to other m jor tourist destin tions, Const n receives signific nt number of
visitors every year, who discover and visit the city's monuments and attractions. Also,
Const n is centre of commerce nd educ tion, both of which signific ntly contribute to
the local economy.

Transport[edit]

A2 motorway

The opening, in 1895, of the railway to Bucharest, which crosses the Danube by
a bridge at Cern vod, brought Const n
consider ble tr nsit tr de in gr in nd
petroleum, which are largely exported; coal and coke head the list of imports, followed by
machinery, iron goods, and cotton and woollen fabrics.
The A2 motorway provides a r pid ro d link between Const n nd Buch rest, while the A4
motorway acts as the city's outer traffic ring, diverting heavy traffic to and from the city port
and to Mangalia.
The city is served by the Mih il Koglnice nu Intern tion l Airport.

One of Const n 's distinct pinkMAZ buses, running on Route 44.

Port of Const n includes Const n North Port nd Const n South Port, is the 4th
largest in Europe and is protected by breakwaters, with a lighthouse at the entrance, is well
defended from the North winds, but those from the South, South-East, and South-West

prove sometimes highly dangerous. The Black Sea squadron of the Romanian fleet is
stationed here. A large canal (theDanube-Black Sea Canal) connects the Danube River to
the Bl ck Se t Const n .
Const n 's public tr nsport system is run by Regia Autonom de Transport n Comun
Constana (RATC), and consists of 23 all year round bus lines, and 1 summer tourist
sightseeing double decker open roof bus line. In the early 2000s, the city bought 130
new MAZbuses, replacing the aging DAC buses. All of its bus fleet is currently made up of
buses from the 200-2008 period, which are distinctly painted in bright colors, such as pink,
yellow and green. There are also The double decker Volvo buses that run in the
summertime provide access to and from the city's resort. As of October 2013 the cost of 1
ticket is 3 RON.Tramway lines were active until the early 2000s. The cars were almost 25
years old and with lack of maintenance they become slow and noisy so the lines were
removed. As of July 2009 all the tram lines have been decommissioned and replaced with
long-wheelbase buses. Two trolley bus lines were active until the late 2000s - also
decommissioned and replaced by buses. There are also plenty lines of private mini buses
which run along longer and more intricate lines. The price of a minibus ticket, as of October
2013, varies between 1 and 2 RON depending on operator. At the end of March 2014 the
public buses had been installed with wireless routers which can accommodate up to 250
simultaneous users. These allow free access for anyone on board the buses. Speeds fall
into the 3G HSDPA mobile ranges. Also, as an upgrade to the ticketing system, since the
same time, tickets and per day all bus lines subscriptions can be bought via SMS, accepted
by all national operators.[21]

Tourism[edit]
Situ ted t the crossro ds of sever l commerci l routes, Const n lies on the western
coast of the Black Sea, 185 miles (298 km) from the Bosphorus Strait. An ancient metropolis
and Romania's largest se port, Const n tr ces its history some 2,500 ye rs. Origin lly
called Tomis, legend has it that Jason landed here with the Argonauts after finding
the Golden Fleece.

The "sitting woman" and the "thinker" of Hamangia. 5th millennium BC. National History and Archaeology
Museum, Const n

One of the l rgest cities in Rom ni , Const n is now n import nt cultur l nd economic
center, worth exploring for its archaeologicaltreasures and the atmosphere of the old town
center. 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. Regional
attractions include traditional villages, vineyards, ancient monuments and the Danube Delta,
the best preserved delta in Europe.

"National History and Archaeology Museum" is located in the old City Hall, and has a very
large collection of ancient art.

Main sights[edit]

The Casino

The Genoese Lighthouse

C rol I Mosque, Const n is the centre of Islam in Romania.

The House with Lions

The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul

The Ottoman Hunchiar mosque in Constanta is still used by the Turkish minority

Ovid's Square
Designed by the sculptor Ettore Ferrari in 1887, the statue dedicated to the Roman poet,
Publius Ovidius Naso, gives name to this square. Emperor Augustus exiled Ovid to Tomis in
8 AD.
The Roman Mosaics (Edificiul Roman cu Mozaic)
A vast complex on three levels once linked the upper town to the harbor. Today, only about
a third of the original edifice remains, including more than 9,150 sq ft (850 m2) of colorful
mosaics. Built toward the end of the 4th century AD and developed over the centuries, it was
the city's commercial center until the 7th century. Archaeological vestiges point to the

existence of workshops, warehouses and shops in the area. Remains of the Roman public
baths can still be seen nearby. Aqueducts brought water 6 miles (10 km) to the town.
The Genoese Lighthouse (Farul Genovez)
Soaring 26 feet (7.9 m), this lighthouse was built in 1860 by the Danubius and Black Sea
Company to honor Genoese merchants who established a flourishing sea trade community
here in the 13th century.
The Casino (Cazinoul)
Completed between the two World Wars in art nouveau style according to the plans of the
architects, Daniel Renard and Petre Antonescu, the Casino features sumptuous architecture
and a wonderful view of the sea. The pedestrian area around the Casino is a sought-after
destination for couples and families, especially at sunset.
The House with Lions (Casa cu Lei)
Blending pre-Romantic and Genovese architectural styles, this late 19th century building
features four columns adorned with imposing sculptured lions. During the 1930s, its elegant
s lons hosted the Const n M sonic Lodge.
The Archeology Park (Parcul Arheologic)
The park houses columns and fragments of 3rd and 4th-century buildings and a 6th-century
tower.
St. Peter & Paul Orthodox Cathedral
Constructed in Greco-Roman style between 1883 and 1885, the church was severely
damaged duringWorld War II and was restored in 1951. The interior murals display a neoByzantine style combined with Romanian elements best observed in the iconostasis and
pews, chandeliers and candlesticks (bronze and brass alloy), all designed by Ion Mincu and
completed in Paris.
The Great Mahmudiye Mosque (Moscheea Mare Mahmoud II)
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
Turkish carpet, a gift from Sultan Abdul Hamid. Woven at the Hereke Handicraft Center 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 (50 m) 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.
Hnkar Mosque (Geamia Hunchiar)
The mosque was built between 1867-1868 by Ottoman Sultan Abdlaziz for Turks who were
forced to leave Crimea after the Crimean War(185356) and settled in Constanta. The
mosque has a 24m high minaret and was subject to a restoration in 1945 and 1992.
The Fantasio Theatre (Teatrul Fantasio)
Built in 1927 by Demostene Tranulis, a local philanthropist of Greek origin, this theatre used
to be c lled Tr nulis before 1947, fter the n me of its benef ctor. It's fine building
featuring elements of neoclassical architecture, located in the heart of the city, on Ferdinand
Boulevard.

Neighborhoods[edit]

Abator
Anadalchioi
Badea Cran
Boreal
Casa de Cultur
Centru
C.E.T.
Coiciu
Dacia
Energia
Falez Nord

(Form lly, M m i
municipality.)

Falez Sud (Poarta

6)
Far
Gar
Groap
Halta Traian
I.C.I.L.
I. C. Brtianu
(Filimon Srbu
between 19481990)
Inel I
Inel II
Km. 4 (Billa)
Km. 4-5

Km. 5
Mamaia
Medeea
Palas
Palazu Mare
Peninsul
Pescrie
Piaa Chiliei
Piaa Griviei
Port
Tbcarie

Tomis I
Tomis II
Tomis III
Tomis IV
Tomis Nord
Trocadero
Unirii
Victoria
Viile Noi
Zona Industrial

nd P l zu M re re sep r te vill ges dministered by Const n

Politics[edit]
The current m yor of Const n is R du tef n M zre (Social Democratic Party).
The Const n Municip l Council, elected in the 2008 local government elections, is made
up of 27 councilors, with the following party composition:
Party

Seats in 2004 Seats in 2008

Social Democratic Party

15

19

Democratic Liberal Party

National Liberal Party

Greater Romania Party

Current Council

Media[edit]
Main article: Media in Constana

Sports[edit]
Const n is home to sever l football clubs, with FC Farul playing in the Romanian second
division. There are two rugby te ms in Const n : RC F rul Const n , who play inDivizia
N ion l BRD, nd Constructul Cleop tr Const n , who pl y in Divizi A. One of the top
Romanian handball clubs, HCM Const n , is also based in the city. Olympic champion

gymnasts Simona Amnar and Ctlin Ponor were born in Const n . The tennis
player Simona Halep is also a native of the city.