Lagoons Razim and Sinoe
Salt water, ancient fishery and fortresses on the beam, between the delta and the sea.
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Lagoons Razim and Sinoe, in full
The northern coast of Dobrogean is dominated by two large lagoons, Razim and Sinoe, separated from the sea by narrow sandbars. Here the water is calmer than out at sea, the fishery is older than many villages, and on the banks are some of the most spectacular fortresses of the region.
Razim, a former barred Black Sea bay, is connected to Sinoe by canals and winding roads. Jurilovca, Sarichioi, Gura Portiței and Doloșman are names reminiscent of Lipovan fishermen, local argonautics and water ways.
The lagoons are a world apart from the Danube Delta: smaller, saltier, more exposed to the wind, but just as dependent on respect for nature and for communities that have lived on fish for centuries.
On the bank of Sinoe stands Histria, the oldest attested urban settlement on the territory of Romania. On the head Doloșman, Argamum is the first mentioned in a written source. Enisala, on the hill above Razim, is the only preserved medieval fortress in Dobrogea.
Timeline
Lagoons Razim and Sinoe through time
From the making of the landscape to today, a timeline.
Histria
Settlers from Milet found Histria on the shore of the bay open to the sea - the oldest attested urban settlement in Romania.
Argamum
Orgame/Argamum appears in the writings of Hecateu from Milet: the first written attestation of a settlement in the Romanian lands.
Sand closes the bays
Sandbars turn sea bays into lagoons; the ancient harbors are silted up.
Enisala
Genoveziand builds the fortress Heracleea on the shore of the bay Razim, guarding the trade routes to the Danube.
Lipovans on Razim
Lipovan Old Believer communities settle on the shores of the lagoon: Jurilovca, Sarichioi.
Living lagoons
Fishing, slow tourism, rafting and boat trips to Gura Portiței.
To see
Landmarks of the region
Citadel Enisala
The only preserved medieval fortress of Dobrogea, overlooking Razim.
Built on the limestone hill between Razim and Babadag, Enisala (Heracleea) was built by the Genoese at the end of the 13th century. The restored Gothic gate and walls offer the widest panorama in the north of Dobrogea: the lagoon, the steppe and, on clear days, Black Sea.
Genoveziand builds the fortress on the shore of the bay Razim.
The lagoon closes; the port dies, the city is abandoned.
Restored ruins, accessible by car from Babadag.
Argamum - Head Doloșman
The first settlement mentioned in writing on the territory of Romania.
The Greek ruins on the cliff of Cape Doloșman dominate the lagoon Razim. The geographer Hecateus of Milet mentions it in the 6th century BC. The ruins include walls, early Christian basilicas and the necropolis with the oldest Greek tomb in the western Black Sea basin.
Greek colonists found Orgame on the head of Doloșman.
First written attestation, in Hecateu of Milet.
Ruins on the cliff near the fishing village Jurilovca.
Gura Portiței
Fishing village on a beam, without roads, at the end of the world.
A village accessible only by boat or by rail train, where the Danube and the sea seem almost one. Wild beach, traditional fishing and accommodation with locals. Excursions depart from Jurilovca or Tulcea.
The fishing village is slowly becoming a tourism destination.
Access by boat; beach and peace at the end of the beam.
Cherhana Jurilovca
Lipovan harbour and the gate to the lagoon and Doloșman.
Traditional village with black tarred boats, fresh fish at cherhană and white houses towards the water. Excursions to Argamum, Enisala and Gura Portiței depart from Jurilovca. The LipovanAsca community preserves the language and ancient rite customs.
Lipovans settle on the bank of the Razim.
Fishing port, boat trips and local gastronomy.
Map
Landmarks on the map
Pins open a short preview. Details are on the place sheet.
Acum e sezon de lagună și nămol. Sezon de lagună: aprilie–octombrie
Explore the region
Further through Dobruja
Sub-regions of Lagoons Razim and Sinoe
Macro-areas
Corector de sat
Dacă știi că un fapt de pe pagina asta e greșit, scrie-l. Redacția publică doar după verificare. Nu e chat.
Software rooted in these places
From the region of Lagoons Razim and Sinoe we build four free apps: iShopSync, Gym, iMemory and Daunomania.
See our apps