Historical Landmarks in Constantza

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The Casino

 

The Casino is the symbol building of the city and the best-known historical monument in Constanta, although, when built, it was criticized and compared to a hearse.

Its official inauguration, on August 15, 1910, was also attended by Prince Ferdinand, and Queen Elizabeth hosted cultural evening receptions at the Casino in Constanta.

The history of the edifice designed by the architect Daniel Renard in Art Nouveau style is both long and complicated.

From a place where the high society gathered to have a good time, in August 1916, the Casino was turned into a Red Cross campaign hospital, during World War I. The building was hit by shrapnel and, subsequently, the authorities had it restored.

In 1941, the Casino was invaded by the German troops and, in the same year, it was affected by the Russian bombing. Repaired after 10 years, it later had other purposes as well.

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The Communal Palace

 

The Communal Palace was the first headquarters built for Constanta City Hall, 18 years after the Union of Dobrudja with Romania. Inaugurated in 1896, the building was made in neo-Romanian style, according to the project of the architect Ion Socolescu.

The used constructive and decorative elements, specific to traditional buildings and worship edifices, led the locals to believe that it was a church, so many people used to make the sign of the cross when they arrived in front of the building.

For over sixty years, this palace used to be headquarters of  the Post and Telegraph Department, and since 1970, the building, now a historic monument, houses the Folk Art Museum of Constanta, which has more than 17,000 exhibits, representative for Romania, and for the ethnic groups in Dobrudja.

The Maritime Station and Carol I Lighthouse, two heritage buildings in Constanta Port

 

The Maritime Station was built when the traffic of people and the maritime lines from Constanta Port were increasing. It was designed by the architect Gheorghe Bratescu and inaugurated in August 1934, on the occasion of Navy Day, in the presence of King Carol II.
From 1934 until around World War II, there were numerous passenger lines that connected Constanta and different ports of the world.
The building is a historical monument and belongs to the Constanta National Company Maritime Ports Administration.
Carol I Lighthouse is another symbol of Constanta Port. It entered into force in 1913 and took over from the old Genoese Lighthouse.
The lighthouse was mounted in a stone tower with black and white horizontal stripes, with a height of 21.75 metres above sea level and had an orange light with flashes, the electric lamp being provided with 104 bulbs.
During the two world wars, the lighthouse was badly damaged.
Carol I Lighthouse, now a historic monument, turned off its lights in 1961. The royal insignia with which it was decorated was removed during the communist period, but in 1996, when the old building was rehabilitated, replicas of the effigies were installed.

The Museum of National History and Archaeology, the second City Hall of Constanta

 

The building that dominates Ovid Square, called at the time the Communal Palace, was the second headquarters of Constanta City Hall.
The construction of the building, according to the plans of architect Victor Stephanescu, began in 1911 and was completed in 1921, the works being delayed by the development of World War I.
The edifice, built in Neo-Romanian style, is a historical monument.
The imposing room where the council meetings were held has walls painted with important monuments from the history of Dobrogea and Romania and is officially called “Adrian Radulescu” Hall.
Since 1977, the building houses the Museum of National History and Archaeology of Constanta.

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