History
Published: August 21st, 2009Constanta History
Archeological diggings in the area of Constanta city revealed proof of human existence in this area going back about 120.000 years. The discoveries of the archeologists illustrate the evolution of the human society from the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron ages as well as the originality of the Traco-Getic culture – an Indo-European population settled in the region.
Between 7th and 5th century B.C. Greeks from city-state of Milet (Miletus) founded here a colony which was called Tomis. The Greeks, arrived here, have found a Getic native settlement. They have, first, founded an "emporion" that developed to the level of "polis" with all its attributions (4th and 3rd centuries B.C.).
The importance of Tomis grew during 3rd and 1st centuries B.C. In this period huge wealth are accumulated due to the economical development, based on the harbor activity and enables the town-planning flourishing of the city, after the model of the Milet fortress.
The Roman empire conquered Dobrogea(Schythia Minor), including the Greek colonies of Tomis and Callatis during the 1st century B.C. The Roman ruling (1st century BC – 3rd century A.D.) modifies positively the geopolitical and economical status of the region, an economical and cultural growth is seen. Tomis is consolidated, the harbor become very active, the city knows a great town-planning activity. Here lived in exile, for 8 years, 8-17 A.C.) the Roman poet Publius Ovidius Naso.
"Pax Romana" is followed by the barbarian invasions, the first wave was during 3rd and 4th centuries. The city survives and become the residence of the province Scythia Minor, although at that time the Roman Empire was disintegrating. There were difficult moments, with dramatic episodes, political, religious and economic changes. Tomis from the Roman-Byzantine period was an important Christian religion center. The Christianity practices here were of apostolic origin due to the Saint Apostle Andrew.
The city had to survive the migratory waves – Huns, Slavs, Bulgarians, Petchengs, Cumanians and the last ones the Tartars and Turks. The image of the city changes, become more rural after the devastating Barbarian migrations. In the 10th – 13th centuries the city will participate, as and urban center of some importance, at the period events and continue its harbor life. Tomis was later renamed to Constantiana in honour of Constantia, the half-sister of Constantine the Great (274-337). The earliest known usage of this name was "Constantia" in 950.
In this period the maritime trade was dominated by Italians, those from Genoa being the most important. Today, still exists a construction from that period, the "Genoese Light-house", reminding us the famous Genoese merchants.
In the 14th century another empire is in expansion in this region, the Turkish Empire. Dobrogea and is residence town, Constanta, are integrated in a Turkish province, being conquered by military force, starting with the 15th century till the end of the 19th century, when, after the independence War from 1877-1978, the province of Dobrogea is back in the Romanian state borders.
Only at this date the modern development of Dobrogea begins. Constanta, due to the harbor, was the "lung of the Romania" as the first Romanian king, Carol I, said.
The most important development of Constanta, mostly of the harbor, was between 1878-1914.
The famous Romanian engineer Anghel Saligny builds the bridge across the Danube, between 1890-1895, the longest bridge in Europe, and the 3rd in the world at that time. The Romanian Maritime Service was founded, and the maritime line Constanta - Constantinopole was opened, the harbor was modernized but a great reconstruction plan (1985-1909), with installations, warehouses, silos; the harbor traffic grows constantly, hundred of ships under all flags boarding at its piers. Romanian Maritime Service had an important fleet, its ships navigating on the "Oriental line" (Constanta-Constantinopol-Alexandria), on the "Archipelago line" (Constanta-Pireu-Salonic) and on the "Occidental line" (Constanta-Rotterdam). The necessary infrastructure was built: railways and roads. Many beautiful buildings were built in this period that are still up and make the city image nicer.
During the First World War (1914-1918) the city sustains severe losses. The Germans and mostly the Bulgarians caused massive destructions, putting end to the most flourishing period of the town.
Between the two World Wars (1918-1940) the city economical and commercial development is resumed strictly to the harbor activity. Constanta made 70% from the total maritime traffic of the country. In this period the ship-building yard is developed, becoming, till the Second World War, the most powerful enterprise from the region, having the biggest work force concentrated here.
The Second World War meant again foreign occupation, destructions and material losses caused by the Soviet plunder after the war, which practically destroyed the Romanian fleet and subordinated the Harbor to the interest of the Russian occupants. The communist regime maintained Constanta as the first maritime harbor of the country and accorded it the necessary importance from this point of view. In parallel, due to the Soviet type industrialization, the city knew a great development, mostly between 1960-1975. The ship yard was extended (for 150.000 tdw ships).
On 26 May 1984 the former communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu inaugurated the Danube / Black Sea canal. This boosted the transit of cargoes through the port of Constanta.
After 1989 The city and the port develop rapidly growing continuously till the end of 2008 when the effects of the world economic crisis put an end to 20 years of spectacular economic grouth.