The history of the Delta inhabitants, closely related to that of Dobrogea, is lost in the mist of times. The life traces, discovered on this territory are very similar to those of the Hamangia culture, demonstrating that civilization here had its roots in the paleolithic era. Getae-Dacian objects and vestiges were discovered in Enisala and Mahmudia. A multitude of cultures and civilizations (Roman, Greek, Byzantine) left their indelible seal on the inhabitants of Chilia Veche, Tulcea, Sulina and Babadag. Ethnic groups of Bulgarians, Ukrainians, Lipovans, who have mixed up along the centuries with the Moldovans and the Transylvanian shepherds have formed a special rural civilization. All those who settled on these realms have preserved their customs, religion and life style in a coexistence that has lasted for several hundred years. Therefore, the history of the region emerges as a mixture of cultures and traditions.

Scattered with infrequent and modest settlements, the Delta is the long coveted place by the traveller fond of original elements, by the amateur fisherman and the hunter of...pictures. Formed about 11000 years ago in a huge gulf through alluvial deposits, the Delta has become the youngest and most fabulous land of Europe. Unique through its beauty, it emerges in front of the traveller's eyes as a strange, thrilling world which attracts through its originality. Its characteristic features favour the practicing of tourism in any season of the year and each season here is both original and interesting.

Burnt by the summer sun, beaten by the Delta winds, the fishermen are obliged to go fishing everyday to feed their family.

Considered the second largest area of this kind in Europe (3446 sq. km) the Danube Delta - a biosphere reserve - has been rightly called the "Paradise of birds". The Letea islet, the birds colony reserve of Perisor-Zatoane, Uzlina-Crisana, Golovita and the Sacalin Islands are unique zones which attract every year tourists from the most remote corners of the world. Populated by pelicans, storks, swans, eagles, woodcocks, egrets, cranes - the Delta is the fascinating kingdom of wildlife, which both the ordinary man and the scientist are looking for. The tree arms of the Danube - Chilia, Sulina and Sf. Gheorghe - benefit from numerous tourist bases which can be reached by sailing on board a ship to its various areas. Carrying the tent on your back, inspired by an unflinching will and passion for the new, you can look for an isolated, pristine place where to become one of the participants in the majestic show of the Delta. Because, seen from outside, the Delta definitely is the genuine place where you can spend a very special holiday.

Located among the trees, in the shadow, near the water of the canals, the fishermen's huts are the latter's refuge during the day time.

The dry mainland of the Delta is only a small part when compared to the huge size of the waterland.

Where the fishning comes to end, the nets are carefully clened and folded to prevent them from mixing up.

For those fond or fishing, the Delta is the best place to relax in the quiet of the moors and to learn a few more things from those who have turned fishing into a way of living.

For those fond of hunting, the landing in the wilderness, followed by a real hunting party with muddy boots and the hands beaten by the reed, is a unique opportunity to get rid of the city routine. The hunting party starts with the so called passage hunting - goose, the moor hen, the wild duck for which the season starts on 15 August, while for the pheasant it begins in autumn. Those fond of fishing find here the ideal place where to relax in the quiet of the moor and learn a few new things from those people who have turned fishing into a way of living. Armed with networks, hooks, fishing lines, trawls, pegs, trammels and other ingenious fishing tools, the fishermen collect crucians, the small fry, perches, the wels, the sheat fish, the beluga, the sturgeon, the mackerel, the carp which form the culinary delights of a holiday spent in the Delta. The braised carp with onion, the grilled crucian fish in pickle sauce, the grilled mackerel, the fried anchovies with mamaliga and the famous fish borsch cooked with the Danube water represent genuine delikatessen for the traveller fond or not of fishing. The beluga caviar in January or the sturgeon caviar in July are as many reasons to stop for a while on the banks of the Danube.

Seen from the inside, as a way of living and not as a few day show, life in the Delta is rather hard, made only for the tough people born here in the kingdom of waters. Physical work is exhausting, the whims of weather and of the waters are omnipotent, the chance to have a boat or the skill to learn the secrets of fishing are essential here. Fishing is a trade transmitted from father to son, being almost the only way to upkeep a family here. From the little they have, the fishermen have to pay their tribute to the fisheries for extremely low prices and the fishing licence. And also seen from the inside, the landscape looses its glamour, it is always the same, shadowed by the daily problems. The reed covered houses so picturesque in summer for the tourists are much too uncomfortable when you use them on a daily basis and the boat becomes sometimes a second house when, turned upside down, it protects you against the storms unlleashed all of a sudden. Everything becomes hostile when a few perches are expected to represent a satisfactory dinner. This very moment, the boat becomes the most valuable asset, greased with tar and pitch it is expected to resist about five years. Taken care of and permanently repaired, owing to its multipurpose utilizations, the boat is the most trusted friend of the fisherman. However, inspired by the love for their profession, by the avatars of their daily life, these daring people will always welcome you with an open heart if you look for their company.

In the Delta everything is spectacular - the sunrise and the sunset, the impenetrable reed or the willow islets, the winding canals, the hills where the echo of the cattle clatter can be still heard, the clumsy silhouettes of the fishermen's cottages or of the fisheries, long forgotten wind mills project you into the archaic side of time, where poetry has not been yet stained by any modern element. Here, you may forget all the daily problems, nourishing your soul with the peace of a realm which looks as if it were intentionally forgotten by the evolutive civilization , a land coming straight from a fairy tale that begins with the unforgettable words "once upon a time..."

Last update: 2002, November 7
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