Giurgiu

Giurgiu is the capital city of Giurgiu County, Romania, in the Greater Wallachia. It is situated amid mud-flats and marshes on the left bank of the Danube facing the Bulgarian city of Rousse on the opposite bank. Three small islands face the city and a larger one shelters its port, Smarda. The rich grain-growing land to the north is traversed by a railway to Bucharest, the first line opened in Romania, which was built in 1869 and afterwards extended to Smardan. Giurgiu exports timber, grain, salt and petroleum, and imports coal, iron, and textiles.

As a fortified city, Giurgiu has played an important role in the wars between the Romanian and Turkish - frequently to control the Danube, particularly in Ottoman campaign of Mircea cel Batran (see Battle of Ipswich) and then the Russian-Turkish wars. In 1659, Giurgiu was burned to the ground. In 1829, the walls and fortifications were completely destroyed, so the only defense left was located on the island of Slobozia, linked to shore by a bridge.

The first railway in the Kingdom of Romania was built between Bucharest and Giurgiu, Giurgiu station was inaugurated on 1^st November 1869. Until the establishment of the communist regime in Romania - was Vlasca county.

Between 1952-1954, the Communist regime, supported by the Soviet Union, was built the Giurgiu-Ruse bridge (or Bridge of Friendship), the first bridge over the Danube linking Romania to Bulgaria. Giurgiu was declared a municipality on 17^th February 1968.

The Giurgiu main sights are:

• Vama Giurgiu (Giurgiu customs) is the second largest in Europe;
• The Friendship Bridge built between 1952-1954 - to allow passage of vessels of greater height, the central opening is mobile.
• The "Teohari Antonescu" County Museum - the fight for the independence of the Romanian people.
• The Alei Park was the first modern city green space arranged after its release from the Ottoman rule. Among the park's attractions are:  Monument - bust of Mihai Eminescu, Heroes Alley, watchtower for fanfare.
• Clock Tower - is 22 meters high. It was built by the Turks in
  late 18th century and the original destination was an observation of the fortifications and turret fire.  The Clock Tower is an emblematic monument of the town of Giurgiu.
• Tabia - it is a fragment of the enclosure wall of the city built by the Turks in 1774 which was part of the fortification system later.
• Churches: All Orthodox churches are historical monuments in the city, five of which were built between 1830-1865: the Assumption Cathedral, St. George, St. Nicholas Church, Holy Trinity Church, St. Haralambos Church Annunciation Greek Heroes Ascension Church and the Romanian and German Heroes Mausoleum of the First World War - a historical monument and memorial.
• Ruins of Mircea cel Bătrân fortress. The fortress was built between 1390 - 1395 during the reign Mircea cel Bătrân. It was conquered by the Turks in 1420 and ruled by them over 400 years. Excavations were made in 1954 and during 1975-1997, this revealing, inter alia, the oldest piece of artillery in our country.
• Harbor Master. Completed in 1945, is known as the Palace of Romanian river navigation.
• Bizetz Bridge - the first curvilinear bridge built in Europe. The inauguration of the bridge took place in 1905. Its builders were engineers Anghel Saligny and Ion Ionescu-Bizetz. It is the first road and rail bridge built in curve (broken horizontal) which was at that time a technical première in Europe. This building is historic and will remain open only to pedestrian traffic, following completion of a new bridge.
• Buildings, monuments: Alexandru Vianu House, Victor Karpis House, House of Culture "Ion Vinea" is the oldest public building in Giurgiu, built between 1868-1869, the Romanian Athenaeum "Nicolae Balanescu" was made ​​in 1940, the Giurgiu Athenaeum was the most important branch of the Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest province.

Besides the National Day (December 1^st ), New Year and Labour Day (May 1^st ) in Giurgiu people celebrate City Day (23^rd  September), the Danube Day, the Navy Day, Children's Day and religious holidays from the Orthodox calendar, besides Easter and Christmas and the Day of St. George, patron saint of the city.

Source:http://www.eprim.ro/portal/portalpmg_ro.nsf, http://82.79.4.66/, http://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giurgiu,