History
In 1878 Northern Dobrogea became part of Romania when a combined Russo-Romanian army defeated the Turks in Bulgaria. Southern Dobrogea was ceded to Bulgaria.
In antiquity the Dobrogea region was colonised first by the Greeks and then by the Romans, both of whom left behind much for visitors to admire. Histria, the oldest Greek settlement in Romania, was founded in 657 BC. From AD 46, Dobrogea was the Roman province of Moesia Inferior. At Adamclisi (Tropaeum Trajani) the Romans scored a decisive victory over the Geto-Dacian tribes, thus expanding into regions north of the Danube. Dobrogea later fell under Byzantine control and in 1418 was conquered by the Turks.
Once Romanian flags flew over Dobrogea, much was done to integrate it to the ‘mainland’ as soon as possible, and with the completion of the formidable bridge over the Danube at Cernavodă (1895), a vital rail link was established between Constanţa and the capital. At this time, the coast started to develop as a summer leisure destination; to this day, summer tourism is the backbone of the region’s economy.
