Photo album Costinesti
General presentation:
The Commune of Costinesti is the most recent one in Constanta County, having been set up following Law 72 of May, 1999. It is composed of Schitu and Costinesti villages. During the local ellections of December 12th 1999, Traian Cristea was ellected mayor (he is currently executing his second mandate); vicemayor: Marin Bortea; secretary: Tudor Alexiu; local council: Marian Emilian, Paul Sarbu, Ion Tarina, Marin Dolana, Ion Zibileanu, Sandu Mihailescu, Tudor Batariga, Traian Deoanca, Marin Pescaru, Ion Dragomir.
The commune’s population currently counts 3100 inhabitants – Costinesti: 1300 and Schitu: 1800. It has an area of 1665 ha, the precints of the village occupying 468 ha; the total number of houses is of 1365 (Schitu: 815, Costinesti: 550).
The commune possesses three educational units: a kindergarten in Schitu and two schools (one in Schitu and one in Costinesti), and a school population counting 450 children. There are also a community centre and a post office in Costinesti.
The location of the commune (31 km South from Constanta, in the vicinity of 23 August Commune, neighbouring to the North with the Commune of Tuzla, to the West with DN 39 and to the East with the Black Sea) allows the development of a strong agrotouristic activity in the summer. Besides, 60% of the inhabitants practice this kind of activity, while the rest of 40% are agricultors. Local farming companies include "Ceres" and S.C. "Ion Const". The most cultivated plants are: wheat, corn, sun-flower, technical plants. Raised animals: 70 bovines, 550 swines, 580 sheep and goats, 4,600 fowls. Orchards and vineyards occupy 20 ha.
The North coast is under an accelerated construction development, the large number of new houses and villas giving it the appearance of a town. The streets are covered with asphalt; there is a number of opportunities of investing in touristic services, using the local labour force. Thus, the construction of new lodging buildings for agrotourism, as well as nautical amusement facilities are included in the future plans. The extending and modernization of the transportation network are also taken into account for the nearby future.
The nuns monastery "Sfanta Elena de la Mare" (Saint Helen of the Sea) is to be found 3 km from Schitu, nearby Vadul lui Caraiman. The 14th of May 1996 marks the sanctification of the ground on which the monastery was built, while the monastery itself was sanctified on the 21st of May 1998. Prioress Stavrofora Maria leads the destinies of the monastic settlement.
Source: www.primaria-costinesti.ro
Geographical location:
Costinesti is located in the South-East of Romania, 31 km South from Constanta, neighbouring Tuzla Commune to the North, DN 39 to the West and the Black Sea to the East. The commune lies 10m above sea level, being protected by Tuzla Cape and facing a marine coastal current. Starting with the establishment of the Town Hall in May 1999, Costinesti has become the latest commune in Constanta County, developping continuously.
ACCESS ROUTES:
• Air transportation: Mihail Kogalniceanu Airport;
• Railway transportation: Costinesti-Tabara or Costinesti-Sat stations (nearby the new North district), on the Bucuresti-Constanta-Mangalia railway;
• Road transportation: National Driveway – DN 39 (E 87): Constanta-Costinesti: 27 km after Tuzla, turn left following the signposts. After driving for about 4 km, you will reach a crossroads, the road to the left leading to the entrance in Costinesti. Mangalia-Costinesti: turn right, after passing through 23 August Commune, and drive for about 4 km. Constanta Railstation serves for railway transportation on route Constanta-Costinesti and as departing point for minibuses circulating on this route.
A short history:FROM THE MIST OF AGES
A few people are aware of the fact that the area where the commune and the resort Costinesti are located today has its own history.
The history of these places has its roots in the primitive communal system. Proofs have been found here of settlements beginning with The First Iron Age (Hallstatt), continuing with the period of the Greek colonies, the Roman invasion, the feudal age, until the establishing of the Costinesti village through the colonisation of German origin population.
Traces of settlements dating back to the primitive communal system were found at the Stratonis site, approx. 5 km North from Schitu. There has been discovered pottery made of brown, gray, yellow and black clay with various decorative patterns: simple fluting and spirals (Hamangia culture), as well as fine ceramics and pottery of daily use (Gumelnita culture).
Archeological diggings revealed ceramics with a metallic glaze (red on the inside and black on the outside) dating back to The First Iron Age (Hallstatt).
Pliny the Elder and Eutropius mentioned the existence of the Greek colony of Parthenopolis (1st century A.D.). The city was located on the grounds of present day Costinesti. Fragments of Greek amphoras (80 of them bearing a stamp) prove the habitation during the Helenistic Period.
Moreover, a bronze Thracian hair pin was found there. Radu Vulpe claimed about it that it was specific only to the Romanian and Bulgarian territories.
Glass and ceramic vessels, tiles, bronze coins from the III-IV centuries A.D., Roman ceramic lamps and simple limestone columns were discovered among the remains of the Roman settlement. Roman tombs and a statue of godess Cybele were found in the 1960s.
Among the evidences that prove the habitation in the feudal age one can count two bronze buckles, a vessel with a long neck and an enameled decorated goblet.
The commune ows its name to general Emil Costinescu. He bought from Vasile Kogalniceanu (son of Mihail Kogalniceanu) a piece of land in the vicinity of the Black Sea coast, which he later colonized with a population of German origin. In 1896, general Costinescu closed a verbal land tenancy agreement according to which each colonist was leased 5,000 m², which would become their private property in 20 years. Shortly afterwards 48 houses were built. After the First World War, many families left the village, only 12 remaining in Costinesti. But some of the colonists returned, raising the families number to 34. They raised cattle, horses and poultry and cultivated the land, while the existing driveway and the railway facilitated the goods exchange.
One can speak about the emergence of agrotourism in those times, because of the Romanian holidaymakers attracted not only by the somehow remote place, but also by the natural food.
Many German colonists returned to Germany in 1940, but they were replaced by Romanians from the “Cadrilater”, today a territory belonging to Bulgaria.
In May 1999, the latest commune in Constanta County was set up, namely Costinesti. Its current population is of 3100 inhabitants. Most of them (60%) practice agrotourism in the summer, while 40% are agricultors. The most cultivated plants in the area are wheat, corn, sun-flower and technical plants; the raised animals include bovines, swine, sheep, goats and poultry. Orchards and vineyards cover 20 ha.
COSTINESTI RESORT:
Aparitia in anul 1949 a primei tabere (300 de locuri) destinate pionierilor a insemnat debutul statiunii Costinesti. Dupa 10 ani a fost inaugurata tabara internationala a studentilor, ca urmare a a colaborarii Asocieatiei Studentilor din Romania si Uniunii Internationale a Studentilor. Primii invitati din strainatate au fost sudentii cehi si polonezi.
The setting up in 1949 of the first school children camp (300 places) represented the founding of the resort. Ten years later, the international students camp was inaugurated, as a result of the collaboration between the Romanian Students Association and the International Students Union. The first foreign guests were the Czech and the Polish students.
Thus, the “capital of the youth sumer holidays” was born.
In the 1960s, the resort witnessed a rapid growth, thanks to the increasing number of tourists. As a result, cafeterias were opened and bungalows, summer cottages, a new 1000-places camp site and a sanatorium were built. In 1971, the summer theatre and the Central Club were completed. In 1976 the “Forum” Hotel was built, while the “Amiral” villas were raised in 1986. In the first years of the 9th decade, the resort could accomodate over 60 000 young people.
The multitude of green areas grants the resort a particular charm. The world of the imitative arts is represented in Costinesti through sculptures, paitings and tapestry works belonging to artists such as Pavel Codita, Silvia Radu, Marcu Mihai, Alina Tuculescu, Wilhelm Demeter and many others.
Beginning with 1990, there was an increase in the number of amusement opportunities, as well as in the available touristic services. Costinesti Commune and Resort are continuously under development, promicing to become of great importance for the economic life of the Constanta County, as well as for Romania’s tourism industry.
THE BEACH AND THE LAKE
Benefiting form the shelter offered by Cape Tuzla, as well as from the marine coastal current, Costinesti owns an 800m-long and 10 to 50m-wide beach, which grants a very unique and intimate appearance to the place.
The beach is ideal for thalasotherapy, aerosols, heliotherapy, sports trainings and yoga.
As it faces eastwards, the sun shines on it from 10 to 12 hours a day in the summer. Thanks to its location, you can watch spectacular sunrises.
The gradual inclination of the sandy sea bottom turns the sea into one of the main attractions of the resort.
If you want to enjoy the sun and some exercise away from the rustle of the beach, you could rent a boat or a hydrocycle. If the sea is too stirred, there is a nautical entertainment base with boats and hydrocycles near the lake. Rowing a boat at night on the lake could turn into a romantic experience.
Lake Costinesti has a 7ha area and a small depth and it is separated from the sea through a sand strip. It is the only lake on the Romanian seaside which is not supplied from the undergrowund. Due to its high salt level, a significant mud layer settled on its bottom, being used in treating rheumatic affections.
THE WRECK
The “Evanghelia” shipwrecked at the end of the 1960s due to adverse atmospheric conditions and reduced visibility. Late at night during a storm, the ship appoached the shore too much, as the captain believed they were near Constanta Harbour. The ship’s bottom hull remained stuck between two V-shaped reefs.
The “Evanghelia” was a Greek trade ship belonging to the famous businessman Aristotel Onassis. Due to the much too high recovery costs, it was abandoned, entering later in the Romanian patrimony and becoming the symbol of Costinesti.
Those who want to put their limits and their courage to the test can reach the wreck either by swimming, or by a light boat. For those who venture to reach it by swimming and do not possess a great strength, it is advisable to carry an air bed or even a life-belt. Beach slippers should not be missing, as there is the risk of cutting yourselves on your soles. Regarding video cameras and other gadgets, they should be carefully packed in hydro-insulating materials or simply in plastic bags, to avoid humidity.
Entertainment
The main attractions fro which young people come to Costinesti are the numerous night clubs and bars. The first disco to be opened in Costinesti was the “Ring”. It is now competing with “Vox Maris”, “Club T”, “Sun”, “Pavilion”, “ Panoramic Club” and many others.
The shows hosted by the summer theatre are manifold: “The Film Festival”, “The Young Actor’s Gala”, “The Jazz Festival” or entertainment shows featuring famous goups appreciated by the Romanian audience, such as “Divertis” and “Vacanta Mare”. The summer thatre also runs movies. The cultural-artistic events include “The National Exhibition of Youth Satirical Drawing”.
On the beach, in discos, as well as in the summer theatre, concerts take place, yearly attracting thousands of fans.
PA lot of contests, many times televised, are organised on the beach, maintaining the tourists’ high spirits and contributing to the youthful tone.
Sports grounds can be found all over the resort: volleyball, basketball and handball grounds, lawn-tennis fields, ping pong tables, nautical sports facilities.
A multitude of shops contributes to the resorts’ vitality and restlesness.
After the sunset, which offers a spectacular view on the waters of Lake Costinesti, tourists can choose between dancing in open-air clubs, eating in one of the numerous restaurants and terraces, watching a show or a film at the summer theatre or having a romantic walk on the beach, joined by the loved one...
FFamilies prefer generally a walk through the resort. For a relaxing walk, one can choose the new North cliff nearby the wreck, or the South cliff, which amazes through the sight of the waves breaking on the red rocks.
Those who wake up early in the morning or those who haven’t even slept during the night will be surely impressed by the sight of the sunrise.
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