Ivan Patzaichin Museum

The Medieval Citadel of Enisala is located 2 km from the town of the same name, on a limestone hill that dominates the Razim and Babadag lakes area. It was built in the second half of the 14th century, for military purposes, most likely by the Genoese merchants, owners of the Black Sea navigation monopoly. The fortress has an irregular polygonal plan, which follows the sinuosity of the terrain; the walls and bastions are preserved in some places at a height of 5-10 m. Integrated, during the reign of Mircea the Elder, into the defensive system of Wallachia, the fortress was abandoned in the context of the advance of Turkish rule north of the mouth of the Danube (end of the .XV) and as a result of the formation of the sand ridges that separate the Razim lake from the Black Sea. In addition to visiting the fortress, it is also worth coming here to enjoy one of the most beautiful views in the entire Tulcea county, especially at sunset.

The architectural ensemble "Conserved in-situ Farmhouse" from Enisala represents a true identity card of the Dobrogean community. This space depicts the traditional architecture specific to Northern Dobrogea from the beginning of the 20th century. The building was purchased in 1971 by the Tulcea Eco-Museum Research Institute, restored and opened to the public. Thus, the complex includes the large house (with storeroom, kitchen and cellar) and the annexes: the small house, the summer oven, the dovecote, the samalác, the well and the sheds. The large house was built in the style specific to the area: built on a stone foundation, with clay and straw walls, covered with reeds. It has a simple structure consisting of an awning and two rooms—one of which was living space, and the other was the "good house" or "beautiful house," where family events were held and dowries were kept. These rooms are decorated with burlap and other fabrics, created by women by processing cotton, hemp and wool. To illustrate the activities of the northern Dobrogean man, carts and tools suitable for field work, pottery or fishing can be seen outside the house. It is good to know that the museum can be visited from Wednesday to Sunday, between 10:00 and 18:00. The visit fee is 6 lei/adult and 3 lei/pupil/student/pensioner. Source of information: https://muzeedelasat.ro/muzee/gospodaria-enisala/

Sarichioi is one of the largest and most beautiful villages in the entire Tulcea county. It is a place full of history, of a special picturesqueness and charm. Sarichioi is also the "heart of the Russian-Lipovian community" in all of Romania, where the largest ethnic group from the entire country lives. Practically, of the 3000 inhabitants, 90% are from Lipovi. This brings a particularly valuable load to the village in terms of local traditions and customs. If you want an experience that you will not forget for the rest of your life, then choose to spend Easter at Sarichioi. In other words, you must include a visit to Sarichioi in your vacation from Tulcea. Take a stroll through the streets of the historic area of ​​the village, where you will be able to admire the more than a century old Lipoveni households. Also, visit the two Lipovene churches, one more beautiful than the other. And last but not least, enjoy the atmosphere of the old fishing port. If you are with children, then it is good to know that you will find a generous place to play here.

The Transdanubian Sicia from Dunavațu de Sus was, in the 19th century, on Ottoman territory, the Transdanubian Cossacks being subject to the High Gate. In this capacity, they did not pay taxes or other additional debts, but were obliged to give military aid to the Turks in case of war. The main occupation of the Cossacks was, in fact, the defense of the Ottoman borders against the Russian Empire, the relations between the two states being always tense. Their leader was the ataman-cosovei. When Sicia was moved to Dunavaț, the Kosovar was Samiilo Kalnebolotki (1809 – circa 1814). After the move, Kalnebolotski gave way to Leah, most likely a Polish peasant. After Leah, the Kosovar was Litvin, a very pious man, who, on the advice of the priest of Sicia, a certain Luchian, became a monk at the Mirnopoian monastery, where he died. At the same time as Litvin, there was also Olexa Riasnei, who was dismissed from his position and punished by whipping, after a scandal in one of the siciya's districts. Today there is nothing to visit that speaks of the presence of the Cossacks in Dunăvăț, but it is worth imagining that they occupied this part of Tulcea a few centuries ago.

Coming by car from the Sarinasuf - Iazurile - Valea Nucarilor direction, you will have the Agighiolului Hills in front of you. They impress with their height, as if not specific to this area with lakes, ponds and lots of reeds. "Site ROSCI0060 Dealurile Agighiolului" is part of the Natura 2000 network and protects habitats and species on an area of ​​almost 1500 ha, north of Razelm lake. It is worth saying that a treasure of a Thracian prince was also found on these hills. But it is best to learn its story by enjoying a walk in these hills. Follow the signs and signs on the "Treasures from Agighiol" trail, the first thematic trail set up for the Dobrogea Chimerica Geopark. The path was created in a partnership between the associations "Mai mult Verde" and "GeoD for the promotion of geodiversity", with the support of Valea Nucarilor City Hall.

The village of Murighiol was founded on the ruins of the ancient fortress of Halmyris. However, there is also the theory that before Halmyris, just 3-4 km east of the city, there was another city called Salmorus, and the entire territory belonged to the province of Scythia. The name Salmorus seems to come, rightly, from the three existing salt lakes at Murighiol - Lake Sărătura I, II and III. These are lakes producing sapropelic black mud, used in alternative therapy and prophylaxis of several diseases. Also, Sărătura I lake is recommended for therapeutic baths, because its water has a mineralization of 6.7 grams/liter. At the same time, Lake Sărătura III was declared a natural reserve protected for biological interest, so it cannot be exploited even for medical purposes.

The archaeological site of Halmyris, located 2.5 km east of the village of Murighiol, is a strong Roman and Roman-Byzantine fortress, seat of some military units and station of the Danube fleet Classis Flavia Moesica. Monuments of military, civil and religious architecture were unveiled here, among them the episcopal basilica with the crypt of the first Dobrogean martyrs: Epictetus and Astion. It is good to know that the Halmyris Fortress can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday between 10:00 and 18:00. The site access fee is 6 lei/adult and 3 lei per pupil/student/pensioner. On your trip to this part of the county, a stop here is not to be missed!

If you want to take a few steps, then we recommend a short stop on Mahmudia Promenade. This has recently been rehabilitated and renovated, making it a good place for a promenade.

Beştepe means Five Hills in Turkish. Today it is a beautiful Tulcean commune. The name was given by ethnic Muslims hundreds of years ago and has survived over time. It was also called the Turkish Beştepeau, in order not to be confused with the Moldavian one, as Mahmudia (the neighboring locality) was called in the past. The five hills guard the settlement imposingly... It is a land full of history and beautiful stories. The legend of the place says that the powerful Sultan Mahmud II (1808-1839) once passed by the village on his way to Tulcea. The master of the Ottoman Empire was impressed by these places and decided to build a strong fortress on the highest of the hills (n.r. maximum altitude 242 m), from where the entire area could be easily guarded. The fortification was immediately erected and for many years, from here, the Ottomans closely controlled the region. The story is a beautiful one, but no one has ever given a trace of the fortress from the legend. At Beştepe, however, there are many fortifications and what is interesting, they are much older than the one in the story of Sultan Mahmud. 1 kilometer North-East of the village, in the area of ​​Piatra lui Boboc, there are the ruins of a Getic temple dated more than 2300 years ago. Near Beştepe or even in the hearth of the village there are vestiges and settlements from the time of the Geti ancestors, from the time of the Romans or from the Roman-Byzantine era. No one has yet found a trace of Mahmud's fortress, but no legend appears without its grain of truth. Who knows, maybe she's hiding under the green hills, waiting for the right moment to tell her whole story...