Еnjoy an interesting itinerary for Giurgiu, the twin city of Ruse.
Giurgiu is situated close to the border between Bulgaria and Romania and can be reached by crossing the Danube River on the Friendship Bridge. It is a short crossing, thanks to the accession of both countries to the Schengen area.
Giurgiu is a small but historically rich city on the Danube River. It is situated in the south part of the country, on the left arm of the Danube River, on the border to the Bulgarian town of Ruse. The city was called San Giorgio, after the protector Saint of the Genovese.
Enjoy a relaxing and filled with wonder weekend in Giurgiu:
After entering the city, you can drive on the belt, to the Plant Alley, and the first stop you have to make is the most important monument in Giurgiu - the Fortress Ruins of Giurgiu. After the fortress, you can walk for a minute and enter the St.Nicholas Church, named after the Tsar of Russia, Nicholas I, who built an Orthodox church there on the site of a former Turkish mosque.
Alei Park is one of the first romantic gardens in Romania. The construction was requested by General Kiselef in 1830. In 1840, 200 limes were planted. A buffet and a pavilion for music were built. Today, the tradition of music in the park is preserved every summer. Every Thursday evening, there are local brass band concerts. In the Alei park, there are statues of 23 heroes from the War of Independence of 1877, and at the end of the alley, there is the Independence Monument.
After crossing the street, you can visit the Historical Museum of Giurgiu (https://www.muzeulgiurgiu.ro/), established in 1934. The transition from the medieval to the modern (XVII – XVIII) era is introduced by images of monuments in the region, vintage prints and maps, weapons, ornaments, coins, and others.
The Athenaeum “Nicolae Bălănescu” was built in just a few months in 1940 by the lawyer Nicolae Bălănescu. He demolished his house and began to construct the atheneum. The inspiration comes from a model of a Greek temple. On the facade, there is a symbol of the Roman eagle.
Near the Athenaeum is the building of the Local Cultural Center Ion Vinea. Its activity is based on a rich cultural tradition and giurgiuvean music, sustained over time by great personalities like Victor Karpis and continued today by high-class professionals.
During your touristic itinerary, you shouldn't miss the Clock Tower. The Clock Tower was built in 1771 by the Ottoman Empire, which had control over the Danube port. The tower was the highest construction in town at that time. Nowadays, the Clock Tower is the symbol of the city of Giurgiu. This monument is a rarity and represents the county’s coat of arms.
Near the Clock Tower, there is a beautiful church known as the Greek Church. It was built by the Greek community in 1863. Nowadays, a place where a lot of children, teenagers, and families gather.
Nearby is situated the Theatre Tudor Vianu. It hosts theatre shows, dance festivals, cinema events, etc.
You can check the program here - https://www.teatrultudorvianu.ro/.
We continue the itinerary on the main Boulevard, Bucharest Street, with the Bishop Church, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. It was built during the period 1840-1852. Just nearby, you can admire The National College „Ion Maiorescu”, built in 1869. Now, it is the most prestigious school in Giurgiu.
We advise you to visit the Local market, which is full of fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy and meat. And for those who like to shop, a visit to Aurora Mall or Giurgiu City Centre is a must.
You can finish your itinerary by having dinner in the harbor and watching the sunset. You can choose between a couple of restaurants - the Perla Restaurant, the Pagaya Yacht, and the La Ponton. There, you can try different fish or have another favorite dish.
Your adventure can continue on a boat trip, or you can visit the Comana Natural Park - a fantastic nature reserve with wetlands, forests, and activities like kayaking and hiking. You can visit the Comana Monastery and the Adventure Park (https://casacomana.ro/).
Comana Monastery is a religious edifice included in the list of historical monuments in Romania built by Vlad Tepes in 1461. It has the role of a monastery fortress (ruined by the end of the sixteenth century). The Comana Monastery church, dedicated to St. Nicholas, was rebuilt in the nineteenth century. In 1971, a fragment of a tombstone was discovered. Its inscription indicates that the stone tomb is dedicated to Ancuta's daughter, Radu Șerban.
Visit Giurgiu and enjoy a weekend. Discover the fantastic nature and the great history. Get to know the local people and the culture.
