The Independence Monument

The Museum of Ethnography and Folk Art in Tulcea is today housed in the former headquarters of the National Bank of Romania - Tulcea Agency. The building is one of the emblematic public edifices for the municipality, constituting, together with other constructions, valuable examples of the architecture of national forms. The construction is based on a project developed in 1924 and was erected during the interwar period (1924-1927), so at the end of the era of manifestation of the national trend in Romanian architecture. This public edifice can be considered a successful example of modern architecture, built on traditional values, which marked the first part of the 20th century. The heritage of the Museum of Ethnography and Folk Art reflects, through the diversity of the collections, a unique cultural model generated by the ethnic coexistence between Romanians and other populations. The approximately 8600 pieces make up an invaluable ethnographic fund decodable within the collections of folk art and folk wear, ethnography, industrial heritage and photo-document. The museum has recently been rehabilitated, renovated and reopened and delights visitors with its collections of erasers, metal vessels, carpets and Aromanian folk art.

The Art Museum of Tulcea is housed in a neo-classical building, built between 1863-1865, as the administrative palace of the Sangeac de Tulcea, then also called Conacul Pașei. After the entry of Dobrogea into the composition of the Romanian state, in 1878 it became the seat of the Prefecture of Tulcea County, with the County Court, the body of Portărei and the Court of Jury on the ground floor. Between 1950-1970, the Tulcea District People's Council functioned here. It finally became the seat of the Art Museum on August 23, 1982. In total, the museum has seven main collections: modern and contemporary painting (932 works), modern and contemporary sculpture (420 works), icons of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries (797 works), modern and contemporary graphics (4016 works), plates of engravings, unique in the country (400 works), oriental art from the 18th and 19th centuries (311 pieces), decorative art from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries (139 pieces). The core strength of the painting collection is represented by the works of the avant-garde period: Hans Mattis Teutsch, Max Hermann Maxy, Marcel Iancu, Corneliu Michăilescu, culminating with the 14 works (10 paintings, four graphics) signed by the well-known artist of universal renown, Victor Brauner (surrealist painter, sculptor and poet born in Piatra-Neamț). As for the rich statuary heritage of the museum, it consists of 420 modern and contemporary sculptures. The works of artists Ion Georgescu, Dimitrie Paciurea, Frederic Storck, Alexandru Călinescu, Oscar Han, Milița Petrașcu, Emilian Celine, Constantin Baraschi, Romul Ladea, Ion Jalea stand out for their special value.

The Museum of History and Archeology of Tulcea is a main component of the "Gavrilă Simion" Eco-Museum Research Institute. Its founding act corresponds to the organization of the permanent exhibition of history and archeology in 1975, on the site of the ancient fortress of Aegyssus. Currently, the institution manages over 130,000 cultural assets gathered in five collections: Archaeology, Numismatics, Medals, Modern and Contemporary History, Old Books. Most of the pieces in the museum's exhibitions and warehouses were discovered during the archaeological researches organized in the ancient and medieval fortresses of Orgamè/Argamum, Noviodunum, Troesmis, Beroe, Halmyris, Ibida, Dinogetia, etc. The Archeology Collection brings together more than 53,000 pieces attributed to a time interval between the Paleolithic and the Middle Ages. They are relevant for the study and knowledge of the first sedentary communities in Europe, the great centers of ancient and medieval civilization and, last but not least, the inclusion of the northern Dobrogean territory in the complicated political and economic gear specific to the modern and contemporary world. The Numismatics collection includes over 69,000 ancient, medieval and modern pieces, among them the largest part of the impressive hoard from Uzun Baiîr with over 23,000 Tatar dirhems, 195 Byzantine hyperperes, 92 silver ingots and cakes, objects of gold and silver ornaments, in fact the largest hoard of its kind in Europe. The Modern and Contemporary History Collection groups together objects with historical and memorial value, documents, photographs, maps and newspapers illustrating political, military, economic-social and cultural aspects of Northern Dobrogea from the 19th-20th centuries. Among the most valuable assets recently acquired by the Tulcea Museum of History and Archeology are over 400 documents that present various aspects of the activity of the European Commission of the Danube and the Directorate of the Danube Maritime. The old book collection includes approximately 3,000 pieces, among which there are volumes from the category of rare foreign books (XVI-XVIII centuries), old Romanian books (XVII-XIX centuries) and modern books (XIX-XX centuries), first editions, ex - bookplates and books with autograph dedications, manuscripts, etc. RECOMMENDATION: Once here, after visiting the museum, you must also climb up to the Independence Monument to enjoy the most beautiful vantage point. Basically, the view of the city and its surroundings is 360 degrees. All the more we recommend this place at sunset, but keep in mind the schedule of visiting the museum. Don't forget to include the hashtag #TUsiTULCEA in your social media posts.

The "Danube Delta" Ecotourism Museum Center in Tulcea opened its doors to the public on February 25, 2009. Conceived as a complex cultural institution (museum and public aquarium), this wonderful center was created as part of a project carried out by the Program of Romania-Ukraine Neighborhood 2004-2006. The tour of the museum lasts at least an hour, with visitors having the opportunity to learn about the natural and socio-cultural heritage existing in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. Thus, in a welcoming and relaxing setting, on the ground and first floor of the museum, visitors have the opportunity to learn about representative aspects of the Danube Delta: the history of its formation, the stages of inhabitation of the deltaic land, the natural environment (flora, fauna, landscapes), occupations traditional customs of the inhabitants of the delta, as well as general tourist information. Species from the flora and fauna of the Danube Delta are presented in a setting that faithfully reproduces the characteristic habitats of the three morphofunctional units of the delta: the fluvial delta, the fluvial-marine delta and the Razim-Sinoe lagoon complex, the visitor being transposed into the wonderful nature of the delta and through the voices of the birds echoing from each diorama. The permanent exhibition also includes two dioramas that present characteristic aspects of the habitats, flora and fauna of other protected areas of national importance in the Dobrogea Plateau, with particular emphasis on the Măcin Mountains National Park. The AQUARIUM, located at the base of the building, is the main attraction of the museum and houses a collection of fish from the delta fauna, as well as exotic, freshwater and marine fish. Aquariums with fish and invertebrate species found in coral reefs are among the most impressive. Through a system of two cylindrical aquariums, arranged concentrically, visitors, and especially children, have the opportunity to experience being for a few minutes in the middle of a reef, surrounded by sharks, fish and corals of varied and impressive shapes and colors , which will delight their eyes. The same sensations can be experienced by going through the tunnel related to the largest pool in the aquarium, where you can admire species of sturgeon, considered to be among the most primitive fish still living on the globe today. Additional information about the aspects presented in the basic exhibition and ecological tourism in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve can be obtained through the info-kiosks, located on each level of the visit, the documentaries running permanently on the displays, the images from the natural and archaeological sites, or explanatory panels. Information from the permanent exhibition is presented in Romanian, English and German. The center also has a reception room with free, wireless access, and for people with locomotor disabilities, an access ramp, elevator and appropriate sanitary facilities are provided. Upon exiting the Center, visitors have the opportunity to purchase various souvenirs, represented by views, albums, maps, small artifacts or handicrafts made by the locals. The Museum Center is without a doubt one of the most important tourist attractions in Tulcea and a place not to be missed, especially for families with children.

"IVAN PATZAICHIN" PROMENADE The promenade of Tulcea has recently gone through an extensive renovation and modernization process. This is named after "Ivan Patzaichin", the great Romanian canoeist and one of the most successful athletes in the world. Born and raised in the Danube Delta, of Lipovan ethnicity, during the 17 years dedicated to performance sports, he participated in 5 editions of the Olympic Games, being a quadruple gold laureate and triple silver laureate. The great Ivan passed away in 2021 and as a sign of appreciation for all the honor brought to Tulcea county and the whole of Romania, the cliff bears his name today. This is the heart of the city, a promenade for both locals and tourists. It is about 2km long and stretches from the Railway Station, one of the emblematic buildings of the city, to the memorial complex. "IVAN PATZAICHIN" MEMORIAL ENSEMBLE The memorial ensemble dedicated to the great Romanian champion was inaugurated in 2023 on the cliff that bears his name. This new architectural and artistic landmark of the city includes: • COLUMN – Symbolizing the countless strokes of the paddle through the water • METOPA – The stages of his life transposed through a spectacular mosaic • THE STOPPED WAVE AND THE SETTING HEART – Made by shipbuilding technology • THE WATER COLLECTOR – A symbolic link between the flow of the Danube and that of time • GARDEN – A connector of the whole ensemble to nature Without a doubt, the column is the main element and impresses with its dimensions. You will be able to see all the performances of the Romanian canoeist engraved on it. We recommend that you visit this place especially at sunset, when the colors of the sun reflect impressively in all the paddles. RECOMMENDATION: Visit this place at sunset! You will admire how the sunlight "floods" the entire cliff and how it reflects in the paddles of the column. Capture the moment and don't forget to include the hashtag #tusitulcea if you post the photos on Instagram.