Zimnicea: Archaeology, Churches and the Danube Banks

Culture and History

Zimnicea combines evidence from different eras with notable sites within the city limits. The archaeological site “Situl arheologic de la Zimnicea - Cetate” is located on a promontory of the high Danube terrace west of the present-day city and east of the Pasărea River. The “Situl Cetate de la Zimnicea” area includes three settlement layers from the Getic La Tène period as well as a medieval settlement. Prehistoric and medieval settlement remains thus stand in the same archaeological context.

Another historical feature is located in the courtyard of the “Sfinții Împărați Constantin și Elena” Cathedral: the heroes’ cemetery was established there in 1933–1934. In the vicinity of Zimnicea are also the “Biserica Sfântul Filip”, the “Biserica Baptistă Zimnicea”, the Orthodox “Biserica Ortodoxă Sfinţii Apostoli Petru şi Pavel” and the Orthodox “Biserica Ortodoxă Sfinţii Împăraţi Constantin şi Elena”. The range therefore extends from archaeological settlement sites to church buildings and a memorial site.

Natural Environment on the Danube

East of Zimnicea, the protected area “Vedea-Dunăre” extends through the lower Danube floodplain at the confluence of the Vedea and Danube rivers. The landscape is not limited to a single stretch of riverbank: the island “Insula Cinghile”, “Ostrov Vardim”, “Ostrov Malak Vardim” and “Ostrovul Gâsca” are located in the area around Zimnicea. When visiting protected floodplain landscapes, current route conditions can be checked before the visit.

Water and Riverbanks

Paid leisure trips are available on the water with the passenger ship “Valul Dunărean”. From April to October, these trips take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays upon request or reservation. For this activity, passengers board and disembark exclusively at the specially installed pontoon in the port of Zimnicea. The Zimnicea riverfront is a walking path directly beside the water. Current sailing days and the possibility of making an inquiry or reservation should be checked before the outing if a trip on the passenger ship is planned.

There are also places within the city with public and historical functions. The “Biblioteca Orăşenească ”Miron Radu Paraschivescu“, Zimnicea” city library has lending areas for adults and children as well as a reading room. For libraries, current opening hours can be checked before visiting if the lending areas or reading room are to be used. “Gara Zimnicea” railway station was built in 1901 from Ciurea bricks as a single-storey building. Its structure consists of a projecting central section and two side wings.

Railway Line and Other Places

The railway branch line from Roșiori via Alexandria and Smârdioasa to Zimnicea was put into operation as far as Zimnicea on 1 July 1901. The railway connection is therefore just as much a part of the city’s history as the station building itself. For rail connections, current timetables should be checked before travelling if the historic line is included in the travel plans.

Other places in the same county include Islaz, Stefan-Cel-Mare, Turnu Măgurele, Mariţa, Videle, Fântânele, Alexandria and Suhaia.

To the higher-level travel overview: Teleorman.