History

Tulcea is extended on seven hills, in a region continuously inhabited since the Gumelnita period (2900-2200 BC). Tulcea was founded in the 8th century BC under the name of Aegyssus a Greek settlement. The city port dates from the Roman 2nd century AD, and the name Tulcea was appointed during the time of Mircea the Old. Then the city regressed during Ottoman rule for decades until the opening of the Sulina Channel. The town remained under Ottoman rule from 1420 AD to 1877 AD, and became recognized in 1657.

During 1840-1859 the area was populated by Jewish settlers of German origin, they were known as the German Dobrogea. Most were displaced by force under the banner of Nazi Germany, the Heimins Reich (Home to the Reich).

After the Second World War, the city expanded and modernized. Currently the city covers approximately 115 square kilometers and has a population of 93,051 inhabitants (in 2002). Tulcea is an modern commercial city with a port on the Danube. This allows passenger ships as well as industrial products to be transported easily to the Black Sea, this gives a great commercial advantage.

Until 1950 Tulcea was the capital of Tulcea County. During the communist regime, Tulcea became the residence of the Dobrogea region. It is now returned to pre-communist status as capital of Tulcea County.

Geography

Tulcea is at an approximate elevation of 30 meters above sea level. Also it is situated 292 km from Bucharest.

Climate

Tulcea has a temperate continental climate with sub-Mediterranean influences. In the winter cold Arctic air may cause a temperature drop below normal. The maximum temperature recorded was 38.7C degrees, while the minimum was -26.8C degrees in 1942.

The average annual temperature in Tulcea is one of the highest in the country, at 10.8 degrees. Mean annual rainfall of 350-500 mm. Danube flows near Tulcea are on average 5000-6000 m3/s. It can get as low as 2000 m3/s, and as high of 15,000-16,000 m3/s.

Points of Interest:

Muzee

Eco-Museum Research Institute (ICEM)

Danube Delta Natural History Museum

Art Museum

Museum of Ethnography and Folklore (MEAP)

Museum of History and Archaeology

Places of Worship:

Episcopal Cathedral of St. Nicholas

Azizi Mosque

Synagogue

Church of St. George "The Clock"

Hebrew Cemetery

Annunciation Cathedral

Other buildings and places:

Danube Delta

Civic Square

Winmarket (located downtown)

Independence Monument

Coral Plaza Mall

Delta Complex (aquarium)

Parks:

Historic Figure Park

Albatross Park

Children's Town

Transportation:

Tulcea has a transport network with buses operated by S.C .Transport Public S.A. There are several bus lines that cover nearly the whole city. Intervals are approximately
20 minutes, but the central area, with higher demand is crossed by several lines (1A, 1B, 2, 3, 4, 4B). Also, there are local busses that will transport you to localities such as: Babadag, Nalbant, Iazurile, Nufaru, Visterna, Zebil, and Tulcea airport. Tickets for two urban trips is 3 RON.

Near Tulcea (in Mihail Kogalniceanu locality, Tulcea-Constanta road, km 15) is an airport where there are voyages to Bucharest daily.

In Tulcea there are several taxi companies: Ace Taxi, Taxi First, Athos Taxi, Taxi Oni

From Tulcea you can rent cars through several companies.

Accessibility in Tulcea:

By Car:

• Bucharest (DN2) - Hârsova (DN22) - Tulcea
• Galati and (DN2B) - Braila (DN22) - Tulcea
• Constanta (DN22) - Tulcea

By Rail:

In Tulcea there are two stations one for freight and one for passengers (Tulcea City). The latter is at the end of rail line 804 connecting Medgidia-Tulcea (144 km). Every day there are two trains departing for Constanta and one accelerated to Bucharest (operated by Siemens Desiro, the blue arrow)..

By Bus:

• Bucharest - Tulcea (minibuses)
• Constanta - Tulcea
• Iasi - Tulcea-Alba Iulia

By Airplane:

Mihail Kogalniceanu Airport (15 km from Tulcea and 105 km from Constanta)

Photos from Tulcea