Tulcea is one of Romania's 41 counties. It lies in the easternmost corner of the state, on the shores of the Black Sea. The county also contributes to the state border with Ukraine to the north, with the boundary represented by the Danube River. Tulcea neighbors Galati County to the northwest, Braila County to the west, and Constanta County to the south. Stretching across 8,499 square kilometers, Tulcea constitutes approximately 3.6% of Romania's total territory.[1] The capital city, also called Tulcea, dates back to ancient times, as it was established by Dacians in the 7th century BC. Today, people can visit several historical and cultural landmarks within the city, as well as museums and churches.[6] Geographically, Tulcea's terrain can be divided into two distinct physical-geographical regions: one in the central-western area that encompasses elements of the oldest Romanian landscape, the Macin Mountains, and the other consisting of the most recent European land, the Danube Delta.[4] The aforementioned Macin Mountains also serve as one of the county's tourist attractions, as the hilly area provides several hiking trails.[9] Visitors interested in history can venture to the Enisala Fortress, dating back to the 14th century.[8] Average temperatures are the highest in Tulcea during the summer, more specifically from June to September. As such, some consider May and September to be the best times to visit the county.[5]
Tulcea, the capital city of Tulcea County, is a historic harbor town dating back to the 7th century BC. The town's heritage, including its Lipovan (Russian) and Turkish minorities, reportedly lends it a multi-ethnic character.
Tulcea showcases several cultural landmarks, such as the largest aquarium in Romania, Saint Nicholas' Church, the Azzizie Mosque, the Danube Delta History Museum, Tulcea Art Museum, the History and Archeology Museum, Independence Monument, Casa Avramide (Museum of Art Collections), and the ancient Aegyssus Fortress, to name a few. These cultural sites offer insights into the region's history, art, and natural heritage.
For those particularly interested in the area's natural history, the Danube Delta Natural History Museum provides a look at the flora and fauna of the Danube Delta. Additionally, Tulcea Art Museum showcases a collection of glass and wooden icons and vanguard artworks by Romanian artists. On the other hand, the Folk Art & Ethnography Museum is currently undergoing renovations. However, it typically features exhibitions on traditional agriculture, fishing, household items, folk art, costumes, and jewelry. The History & Archeology Museum houses a collection of archaeological artifacts, numismatics, documents, ceramics, sculptures, and more, providing insights into the history of the northern Dobrogea region from ancient times to the present day.[6]
Outdoor enthusiasts can venture to the Macin Mountains, Romania's oldest mountains. Beyond the archaeological excavations found in the Macin Mountains area, people can explore local landscapes through hiking or walking. One of Romania's oldest reserves—the Beech Valley Natural Reservation—lies within the park. It is known for Tauric beech, a species displaying a blend of characteristics from native beech varieties, Oriental beech, and coppice flora. This ecosystem in Dobrogea reportedly bears a resemblance to Crimean beech forests.[7] Several hiking trails are crossing the Macin Mountains area. One of them is the Jijila Valley thematic trail. The thematic trail runs alongside the Little Vasilica Valley and quickly ascends to Vârful Cheia. Along this route, hikers can find vantage points offering views of diverse plant and animal species, as well as panoramas encompassing the town of Macin, Brăila, Galati, and the Danube's branches.
In terms of geodiversity, the trail provides landscapes shaped by granite rock formations. These rocks have been weathered and eroded over time, resulting in formations such as the "Petrified Army" and the "Burnt Citadel."[9]
One of the historical attractions of Tulcea County is the Enisala Fortress, situated two kilometers from Enisala village, overlooking the Razim and Babadag lakes. The fortress was constructed in the latter part of the 14th century, primarily for military purposes, characterized by walls and bastions that reach heights of 5 to 10 meters in some areas. During the reign of Mircea the Old, it became part of Wallachia's defense system. However, the fortress was eventually abandoned as the Ottoman Empire expanded north of the Danube Delta. Additionally, the formation of offshore sandbars effectively isolated Razim Lake from the Black Sea, contributing to the fortress's abandonment. Today, tourists and people interested in medieval architecture can visit the fortress from Tuesday to Sunday.[8]
The Tulcea County's terrain is a combination of an ancient continental promontory, partially submerged in the lowlands and the Danube Delta. It features low-lying areas with altitudes of up to six meters, comprising the altimetric delta and the meadow plains, and higher elevated regions ranging from 6 to 467 meters, with the Macin Mountains hosting the highest peak.
The Danube River serves as a natural border, delineating the county from Ukraine to the north and Braila County to the west. Near Tulcea, the Danube bifurcates into three branches: Chilia in the north, Sfântul Gheorghe in the south, permitting fluvial transportation, and the Sulina branch in the middle, enabling maritime transport to the ports of Galati and Braila. In the south of Sfântu Gheorghe lies the Razim Lagoon, a geographical feature that extends into the county.[1]
In terms of Tulcea County's fauna, it is relatively diverse, including insects, reptiles such as the Dobrujan tortoise, Dobrujan dragon, horned viper, and green lizard, various bird species, and mammals, namely wildcats, otters, wild boars, deer, jackals, and wild raccoons. The county's conditions, including a range of terrestrial and aquatic habitats, enable it to host more than 3,600 species. Invertebrates are considerably abundant, with over 3,000 species. The county's varied landscape, featuring low-lying areas and the Danube Delta, provides a habitat for an array of wildlife.
The vegetation in Tulcea County reflects regional variations based on the steppe climate, hilly geography, mountainous terrain in the Dobrujan horst, and aquatic and meadow areas. The county's landscape includes meadows with xerophilic plants, forests of oaks, hornbeams, and ash, as well as various shrubs and aquatic vegetation. Notable areas include the Danube Delta and the Macin Mountains, which are home to an array of flora and fauna. Tulcea County also offers 32 natural reserves, including the renowned Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve and the Măcin Mountains National Park, which provide a home for rare species and landscapes of ecological value.[4]
Concerning Tulcea's weather conditions, the climate is temperate, characterized by cold winters and warm summers.[4] The warmest months, on average, are July and August, while the lowest temperatures typically occur in January. June is the wettest month, with an average precipitation of 63 millimeters.[5]
Tulcea County gathers evidence from archaeological sites in Hamangia and Ceamurlia, dating back to the Neolithic period, revealing an exchange of both material and cultural goods between the area and the Danube's mouth.
In the 7th century B.C., Hellenistic colonization began on the western shores of the Black Sea, leaving an impact on the local Gaetic population. During the first century A.D., the Roman Empire took control of Dobroudja, maintaining its rule for centuries.
Between the 12th and 14th centuries, Genovese merchants established an economic presence in the region, particularly in Chilia. However, in 1485, Tulcea County fell under Ottoman rule and saw an influx of Turkish and Tartar settlers. Later, the Peace Congress of Paris in 1856 concluded the Crimean War and established key principles such as the freedom of navigation on the Danube and the Black Sea's neutrality. This led to the opening of the Sulina Branch for maritime transportation after the Sulina port became a free zone.[1] Over its history, Tulcea County was situated in the southeastern area of Greater Romania, specifically in the northern Dobruja region. The boundaries of the historical county align precisely with those of the current county.[2]
The history of the county's capital, Tulcea, dates back to the 7th century B.C. The city area was conquered by the Romans between 12 and 15 A.D. and was rebuilt according to their plans. The fortified town persisted until the 10th century. Under Byzantine rule, it was abandoned due to Barbarian invasions but was resettled in the 10th century, only to be destroyed again in 1064. The Byzantines returned, building a fortress, but it fell under Ottoman rule around 1420.
In 1506, it was documented under its current name in Ottoman records and noted as a transit trade center. Tulcea became a shipyard city, gaining city status in 1860 and serving as a province capital. During the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878, Tulcea witnessed conflict between various ethnic and religious groups. After the war's end, Tulcea was awarded to Romania in 1878. During World War I, it was occupied by the Central Powers and became part of their condominium.[3]
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