Enisala – Fortress above Razim and Babadag

Culture and history

Visitors to Enisala encounter Enisala Fortress, which lies on a limestone hill two kilometres from the village of Enisala and overlooks the Razim and Babadag lakes. The fortress was built for military purposes in the second half of the 14th century. Its location thus directly connects the historic site with the landscape of hills and lakes. The limestone hill forms the elevated site of the fortress, while Razim and Babadag, as the two lakes overlooked by it, belong to the geographical context of this structure.

Places in the surrounding area

In the immediate vicinity of Enisala are the ruins of the medieval fortress Ruinele Cetăţii Medievale Enisala and the church Biserica Sfânta Treime. The ruins Ruinele Turris Sălcioara are located in the area around Enisala. The church Biserica Sfântul Gheorghe is also in the immediate vicinity, while the park Parcul Central is located in the area around Enisala. The named destinations around the village therefore include medieval fortress remains, two churches and a central park. The geographical references range from the immediate vicinity to the wider area around Enisala.

Landscape and nature

The hill Dealul Sinis Petcu is located in the immediate vicinity of Enisala. The hill Dealul Işlic is also in this immediate vicinity. In the wider regional surroundings of Enisala lies the island Insula Popina. The Enisala nature reserve covers 57 hectares and is located within the administrative territory of Comuna Sarichioi. The landscape around Enisala therefore includes both nearby hills as well as the island situated farther away in the region. The protected area is described not only by its name, but also by its area of 57 hectares and its administrative location within the territory of Comuna Sarichioi.

Getting there and round trip

You can reach Enisala from the E87 between Tulcea and Babadag via the DJ 223A to Enisala. The route thus specifies both the E87 between Tulcea and Babadag and the subsequent DJ 223A to Enisala.

The Sarichioi–Enisala–Jurilovca–Babadag round trip passes through Enisala. In the village centre, the itinerary includes a visit to the preserved traditional farmstead, which serves as a small museum of a village in the Dobrudja, followed by Enisala Fortress. The order of the two visits is therefore fixed within the round trip: first the traditional farmstead, then Enisala Fortress. If you plan this round trip, you should allow approximately eight to nine hours for the 130 kilometres; this time includes visits, breaks and, if applicable, a lunch break. The round trip therefore includes not only the connection between the four named places, but also the planned stops in Enisala. The approximate duration of eight to nine hours refers to the complete programme, including the route, visits, breaks and a possible lunch break.

When planning your visit, please note that the Enisala traditional farmstead has been closed since 27 October 2025 due to restoration work. The restoration project runs from 2024 to 2027. During this period, a visit to this small museum of a village in the Dobrudja cannot therefore be assumed to be an available part of the itinerary.

Events

In previous years, the “Enisala – Unitate la Cetate” festival was held in August at the foot of Enisala Fortress. Tens of thousands of people from Tulcea County and tourists attended the event. The stated venue is therefore at the foot of the same Enisala Fortress that stands on the limestone hill above Razim and Babadag. In terms of timing, the festival is limited to August and, at the same time, by the wording “in previous years”.

To the main travel overview: Comuna Sarichioi.