On the shore of the lake Sinoe, in the Northern part of Istria peninsula, 2.600 years ago was raised the city if Histria, founded by the Greek merchants and navigators in order to trade with the native Getae. Olive oil, wines, Greek valuable objects were changed on cereals, honey, wax, beef skins, salted fish s.o.

Histria (in Greek is from the name of the river Danube - Istros) was properous and developed for 8 centuries. The settlement had strong defence wall, collected the water by apeducts 20 km long, had the streets covered with stones, and had populated sport institutions (gymnasion) and cultural ones (museion) with strong activities.

Between 1st and 3rd centuries A.C. the Romans take over these places (Dobrogea from today). In this period, are built temples for the Roman gods, public bath, beautiful houses for the wealthy citizens.

The Halmyris bay where was the city begin to close by the sand and slowly the acces to the Black Seaa was cut. Even so the trade on see was made till the 6th century. The invasion of the Avars destroys almost entirely the fortress, and the people is forced to go in safer places. The name and the city disapears.

Histria, the oldest urban settlement from our country, was descovered and brought to light in 1914 by the excavations of the great historian and archaeologist Vasile Parvan.

Last update: 1999, August 20
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