Giurgiu on the Danube: History, Bridges and Navigation

Giurgiu combines its location on the Danube with buildings, collections and places of remembrance. Its cultural history is reflected not only in a church building and museums, but also in a clock tower, a traditional house, a memorial ensemble and distinctive bridge structures. This picture is complemented by seasonal boat trips and a summer tradition that has existed for more than a hundred years.

Culture

The 22-metre-high clock tower of Giurgiu was built in 1734 and served as a fire-watch and observation post. The Schitul Sfântul Nicolae was converted from a Muslim place of prayer into an Orthodox church in 1830. The prehistoric section of the Muzeul Județean Teohari Antonescu Giurgiu contains significant Palaeolithic finds from the Aurignacian, discovered at the Giurgiu-Malu Roșu site. The Eparchial Museum of Giurgiu displays Christian art and also provides information about the region’s religious history. The cultural evidence therefore ranges from the prehistoric Aurignacian through religious architectural history to Christian art. Current opening hours and visitor regulations should be checked before visiting museums and churches.

History

The statue ensemble in Parcul Alei comprises 23 busts of heroes of the 1877 War of Independence. Another historical trace is the Bordei: the historic Bordei in Giurgiu is the last surviving example in the city of this traditional lowland dwelling. The Podul Bizetz is another distinctive structure. Completed in 1905, the bridge was the first bridge in Europe with a horizontal curve. Thus, places of remembrance, traditional residential architecture and the history of engineering stand side by side in the same city.

Nature

Giurgiu lies in the Danube floodplain on the left bank of the Danube. Seasonal recreational boat trips on the Danube are offered on the passenger vessel “Valahia”; depending on the water level, they depart from the fish market site or the port. Before taking a seasonal recreational boat trip, current departure times and the applicable departure point should be checked. The water level is decisive in choosing between the fish market and the port.

Traditions

The Sărbătoarea Sfintei Fecioare Maria in Giurgiu is a tradition that has existed for more than a hundred years and takes place every summer. Its summer date anchors the celebration in the annual cycle.

Transport

Giurgiu lies at the intersection of road and railway networks on Pan-European Corridors IV and IX. The port of Giurgiu is located on Pan-European Corridor VII. The two-level Podul Prieteniei crosses the Danube, connecting Romania and Bulgaria. The Podul Prieteniei and its approach viaducts comprise a total of 37 openings over a length of 2,234 metres. Roads, railways, the port and the crossing of the Danube are among the various transport elements that characterise Giurgiu. Current timetables and traffic information for rail and road travel, as well as port traffic, should be checked before setting out.

Other destinations at the same destination level include Călugăreni, Varlaam, Izvoarele, Greaca, Malu, Comana, Banesti, Potlogi.

For the higher-level travel overview: Giurgiu.