Calarasi Municipality

Calarasi City, the seat of the county of the same name, is located in south-eastern Romania, on the lower terrace of the Danube (Calarasi terrace), at the mouth of the Danube meadow, on the left bank of Borcea Arm. The city is located at a distance of 120 km from Bucharest, 144 km from Constanta and 25 km from Drajna (Sun Highway), at the intersection of national roads DN3, DN21 and DN3B.

The settlement was first registered at the beginning of the sixteenth century, with the name of Lichireşti; at the end of the eighteenth century its name was changed in Calarasi.

During the nineteenth century, the settlement knows a fast development due to the scaffolding on Borcea and the periodic fairs held here; consequently, in 1833 it is ranked as a city.

Calarasi city is also a river port on the left bank of Borcea Arm, near the Bulgarian border. The port is equipped with berths, warehouses and docking facilities for ships. A modern bridge over the existing industrial canal links the city to the Danube crossing point at Chiciu-Ostrov; the Danube can be crossed by means of a floating bridge, a ferry and a river taxi.

The public transport is ensured by buses, minibuses and taxis. Calarasi Port has also a ferry for the crossing of the Danube between Calarasi and Silistra (Bulgaria).

With regards to green spots and leisure facilities, the city has several public gardens and a riverfront promenade.

Important tourist attractions are the Danube islands and beaches; the largest beach, known as the Big Beach, is located across the Central Park in Calarasi and can be reached by boat or motorboat. Another beach, called the “Motorists’ Beach” or “Bridge 4 Beach”, is located 4 km from Calarasi; here there are facilities for tennis, table tennis, fishing and hunting in the area, the wildlife being quite varied. There is also a boat cruise on the Danube, the starting point being the Central Park, and the destination is on the Bulgarian shore, at Silistra.

In terms of leisure sports, Calarasi city has sports complexes with swimming pools, a soccer field, handball court, gym, tennis court, three fitness centres, an ice rink, two casinos and a ping-pong room. The city has also a zoo. There is no cycling infrastructure, but there are ecotourism opportunities.

Important tourist attractions of the city are the Lower Danube Museum, with artifacts dating from Neolithic and the cultures of Boian, Gumelnita and Hamangia, a Popular Theatre and a County Library, which is included in the city's architectural heritage.

Other attractions located near the city are the Vicina Byzantine citadel and several old places of worship: Radu Negru Coslogeni, Dervent, the cave of St. Andrew.

It should also be noted the existing potential for business tourism. The city offers accommodation both in hotels and hostels, and there are many cafes and restaurants offering traditional and international meals.

The municipality organizes numerous national festivals of light music and theater, international festivals of folk dance and songs and an international caricature festival.

Source: www.primariacalarasi.ro,  ro.wikipedia.org, www.ostroaveledunarii.ro,