The Greeks were an evolved society, and they contributed quite a lot to the economic and cultural development of the local people. The colonists were interested in gold and natural products such as honey, oil and resin, which they would exchange for fabric and fine pottery, which they brought from Greece. The business was good, and soon the newly created colonies became large and prosperous settlements. A few kilometers North Constanta, Histria was the first of the Greek colonies.
It was followed by Callatis, now Mangalia, and Argamum, on the shore of lake Razelm. Although it started as a small, secondary colony, the city of Tomis soon became the most important Greek settlement and the military capital, and centuries later turned into the modern city of Constanta.
After the Greeks lost their influence, Dobrogea fell under the control of the Macedonian Empire and a few centuries later, it became a Roman Province. The Romans, who were excellent administrators and engineers, developed a huge defense system of fortresses along the Danube, the ruins of which are still visible, although covered by the dust of almost two millennia.
Histria is of the oldest urban settlements in Romania, Histria( 62km from Constanta) was discovered in 1914 on the shores of the Lake Sinoe. The name was derived from the ancient name of the Danube - Istros. About 2500 years ago this fortress was built by the Greek merchants who had come from the city of Milet (a city situated on the western coast of Asia Minor in today's Turkey)and who traded with the Getae people.
Later, when the Romans were forced to abandon the region of Enisala, it still kept its military importance, being part of the Byzantine Empire. During this time, a few more fortresses were built, the most picturesque of which still stands at Enisala. This Byzantine settlement lies on the top of a cliff near the Lake Razelm, splendidly conquering the landscape. The fortress that we now see was restored by the Genovese craftsmen in the 13th century to develop their commercial activities on the Danube River. But its history dates back as it was a Getic-Tracian commercial center in the 9th -7th centuries B.C. The largest necropolis of Dobrogea fall later under the Roman conquest.
Moreover, modern resorts and hotels are dotted along the coast from Mangalia to Mamaia. Countless opportunities for water sports and recreation can be found; sports like scuba diving and paragliding are abundant. Romania's main sea resorts include Mamaia, Eforie, Neptun, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn and Mangalia. For those who are seeking nightlife should head towards the town of Constanta for its many restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Further more this region is known for its fine local seafood cuisine and spectacular wines, such as Mulfatlar, that can be savored by the calming waters in a magical atmosphere to complete this special seaside holiday.
Other key attractions found on the coast are the resorts of Eforie and Mangalia which have spa centers specialized in therapeutic and rejuvenation treatments. These resorts are world famous for their mud baths (the mud is taken from the area's salty lake waters). Inland remnants of the ancient Greek, Roman and Ottoman culture are still being discovered today. Excursions from the resorts can be organized to see such sites as the Greek Citadels: Tomis, Enisala, Histria, and the Roman monument of Adamclisi.Read from same chapter:
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