Just as we set to mind, we continue our survey into the most beautiful places in Romania with a visit to Dobrogea: an underrated tourist destination.
Strategically placed at the crossroads between the Black Sea and the North Sea, a link between the east and the west, Dobrogea is the rich and fascinating region between the Danube and the old Pontus Euxinus. After a turbulent history, marked by repeated invasions, in 1877, Dobrogea was officially annexed to Romania, which marked the beginning of a period of peace and prosperity (rarely shadowed by the sad events of history).
The most renowned points of interest from the tourist perspective are the Danube Delta and the larger cities of Constanta, Tulcea as well as the resorts Mamaia, Eforie North and South or Costinesti. Nevertheless, today we plan to explore the less common places (but in no way inferior) in Dobrogea.
Between Constanta and Cernavoda, you will encounter at a certain point a traffic sign reading “to Capidava”. The place is well worth visiting, being an ancient geto-dacian center, then a castro during the time of the Roman Empire, an ecclesiastical center and a cavalry center between the 4th and 6th centuries. Abandoned after the Roman-Byzantine retreat (cca. 600 AD), Capidava was rebuilt by the Byzantines 3 centuries later and finally left after its arson in 1036 (caused by the Pechenegs). Today, Capidava Citadel is included in the tourist circuit and archeological relics found here have a great importance and can be admired today.
Topalu Town may not ring any bells to you; but from one point of view, it is the richest in Romania! And this is because you can find here the Dinu and Sevastita Vintila Collection, a gallery made up of 228 pieces, mostly paintings signed by famous artists like Grigorescu, Corneliu Baba, Octav Bancila or Tonitza. The pieces were collected by Gheorghe Vintila, a doctor in Bucharest and a great patron of arts, who founded the small museum in 1960, in memory of his beloved parents (teachers who had founded the first school in the village).
The meagre earnings must not discourage you: it is certainly worth visiting these unique places in Dobrogea.