Galati

Galati is located in the eastern side of Romania, at the southern extremity of Moldova Plateau, on the north bank of the Danube River, at about 80 km from the Black Sea; it is the county seat and the most important city of Galati County. The nearest city is Braila, located at 15 km southward, while the distance from the country capital, Bucharest, is 241 km.

It is one of the largest economic centres in Romania; it has a rich history, partly due to its location on the Danube River.

The city has developed on the site of an ancient Dacian settlement from the 6th-5th centuries BC located in a ford of the Danube; it is first mentioned in documents in 1445. In 1837, Galati acquires the status of free port (free port), and after the Crimean War of 1854-1856 it becomes, with the town of Sulina, the seat of the European Danube Commission. In 1952 the city becomes the seat of Galati Region, for later to become the seat of the nowadays Galati County. Since 1965, the city knows a new flowering with the construction of the integrated iron and steel works, considered as the largest one in Eastern Europe at the time.

Currently, the economy of the city is developing around Galati Shipyard, the River Port, the Arcelor-Mittal Integrated Iron and Steel Plant and the Ore Port. The advantages of Galati Free Zone (with a total surface area of 137 ha) are the access to main river waterways (the Rhine-Main-Danube canal), rail (including transfers to broad gauge) and road transport, as well as access to port facilities and piers, its location near the borders with Ukraine and Moldova. Galati houses the only software park in Romania, created in March 2004. The city has shopping centers, hospitals and educational facilities at all levels. Transportation is provided both internally, by buses and trams, and externally - rail, air and road transport; there is a ferry and three ports for light boats.

Galati ranks in the top two cities in Romania in terms of green spots per capita and leisure facilities have been created on both the Danube promenade and in the city gardens and parks.

The Danube river cliff is one of representative areas of Galati, a promenade space where musical concerts and sports competitions are frequently organized. Other leisure facilities are the “Danube” artificial ice rink, the beaches and spas with swimming pools and restaurants, theaters and cinemas.

Important cultural and historical attractions are the Museum Complex of Natural Sciences, which includes an arboretum, a planetarium and an aquarium, Galati History Museum, the Village Museum and the Roman Camp in Tirighina-Barbosi, as well as old religious places such as the fortified Church "Holy Virgin" which was built in the seventeenth century, Vovidenia and Mavromol churches, also built in the 17-18^th century.

Among local traditions and religious celebrations it worth mentioning the throwing of the Cross in the Danube River for sanctification on January 6, the birthday of the national poet Mihai Eminescu on January 15, which is celebrated each year in the Municipal Park, Chestnut Feast, Mackerel Festival, Navy Day and Galati Days celebrated with St. Andrews Day on November 28 - 30.

The city provides cycling and trekking opportunities; ecotourism is practiced in the area for many years.

The city offers many possibilities of accommodation in 5-2 stars hotels and hostels, as well as numerous restaurants and self-service dining facilities – catering services – pastry shops.                            

Source: www.primariagalati.ro,  ro.wikipedia.org, www.tourismguide.ro, www.whatwhere.ro/galati