Field Trips

In May 2024, the Museum Ivan Patzaichin – Community Innovation Center was opened here. After a short stop at Mila 23, we head northward, through the Eracle Canal and then along Gârla Lopatna, a natural, meandering and particularly picturesque channel, from which we enter Lake Matița and then northeastward into Lake Merhei. Given that in the vicinity, to the north, the strictly protected area of Roșca – Buhaiova is located, which shelters one of the largest pelican reserves, it is very likely that we will encounter large groups of pelicans in the Lopatna-Matița-Merhei area as well. Once we leave Lake Merhei to the east, the crossing of the upper delta plain (fluvial delta) is completed.

The route continues along the artificial Sidor canal, which crosses the dunes formed on the sandy beach ridges of the Letea marine levee, part of the initial spit, to the village of Letea. Here we will take a trip to the famous Letea forest and sand dunes, a strictly protected area, which includes numerous special floristic and faunal elements (Balkan, Mediterranean, subtropical, steppe), with a special landscape value. Letea Forest is one of the oldest natural reserves in Romania (1938). In the surroundings, there are chances to meet the famous wild horses of Letea. The visit to the forest is done together with the locals, by car or, traditionally, by horse-drawn cart. After this “safari” we’ll have a hearty traditional meal. From Letea we continue towards Sulina on the canals, with a detour to Musura Bay (on the border with Ukraine), where we can see the cargo ship TURGUT S, shipwrecked in 2009, then, weather permitting, we continue into the Black Sea. From the sea we enter the Danube on the Sulina Branch, we pass by the new lighthouse and arrive at Sulina town, the easternmost city of Romania. For an hour we can visit the city, or relax on a terrace with a refreshing drink. In Sulina, there are several historical sites, such as the Old Lighthouse, built in 1802 by the Ottoman authorities and turned into a museum in 2003, as well as the former palace of the European Danube Commission (CED), built in 1866. The Commission operated between 1856 and 1938 and, among other achievements, initiated and coordinated the works to improve and sys- tematize navigation on the Sulina Branch. Thus, between 1862 and 1902, 10 cuts were made on the Sulina Branch, which allowed the route between Tulcea and the Black Sea to be shortened by 249 km and a minimum depth of 5.48 m to be ensured. The works were coordinated by Sir Charles Hartley, who was the chief engineer of the CED between 1856 and 1871. After this year and until his death in 1905, he was a consultant on river and maritime navigation issues. In 2016, a bust of him was installed in front of the former headquarters of the CED.