European School I Constanta, 10.-20.08.1999
Location
The city of Constanta
Constanta was built around a promontory of land extending into the Black Sea. The city has a long history, being a seaport ever since the 6th century B.C. The foundations of the city were laid some 2,600 years ago, when Greek colonists built the city of Tomis on the present site of Constanta. Ancient Tomis has been associated with the legend of Jason and of the Argonauts who went on a long voyage from Greece to the Asian country of Colchis on the Black Sea Coast in search of the Golden Fleece. On their return voyage, they laid anchor near the present site of Constanta. Under Roman rule, Tomis became a prosperous city, graced with statues, temples and monumental architecture. With Constantinople as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, Tomis was rebuilt by Constantine the Great who changed its name to Constantiana (from which the present name of the city has been derived), in honour of his sister. The important events connected with Constanta as a seaport were the building of a lighthouse by the Genoese in the 13th century and the development of the harbour. The Turkish occupation, which lasted until 1877, brought no notable change or improvement. After 1877, Constanta regained some of its past glamour, becoming a flourishing commercial port. The Archaeology Museum houses interesting exhibits and ancient art objects such as: a menhir statue belonging to the prehistoric culture of Hamangia epresenting a female goddess), statues of Fortuna and Pontos (the patron protectors of ancient Tomis), as well as the Glycon serpent with its serpent body and human hair and ears. One should not miss the superb multicoloured mosaic of the 13th century situated close to the Town Hall!
Solar Eclipse
The Black Sea Coast is one of the best places to watch the solar eclipse, which will pass over Romania on August 11th. If you want to get indeep knowledge about this phenomenon, you can have a look at www.eclipsa.ro/en (not available anymore...) and its related sites.
As participant of the ES, you will not miss the eclipse...
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