Founded around 600 BC, Constanta is a very old port city, and one of the oldest in Europe. With a population of more than 250,000 people, it is also the largest port on the Black Sea, and one of the largest ports in Europe. Originally called Tomis, Constanta was a strategic city due to its port,
and switched many hands of different cultures – Greeks, Romans (who were the first to give her the name of Constanta), Goths, Ottomans etc… and only in 1878 Constanta became a city of independent Romania.
You are welcome to visit many interesting locations in the city: The famous Constanta Casino, the National History Museum, The Greek Church and the Constanta Mosque, as well as many other Cathedrals, historic buildings etc… For sure the many beaches of Constanta are a famous attraction during the cool and breezy summers in the city.
CONSTANTA STATE OPERA
Built in 1957 to host theatre productions and operas, the state-funded Dobrogean Musical Theater hosted a multitude of shows written by some of Romania’s most prolific composers and playwrights. The curtain of the new “Musical Theatre” rose for the first time on March 24, 1958, with the performance of J. Strauss’s Die Fledermaus. Since then, many changes have taken place in the name of the institution: 1976 – Lyric Theatre; 1996 – Opera; from 2004 – “Oleg Danovski” National Opera and Ballet Theatre. In 2004, by the decision of the City of Constanța, the Opera closed shortly for reorganization and changed to the name it holds until today.
In 1978, master choreographer Oleg Danovski formed the Classical and Contemporary Ballet Ensemble, revitalizing the theater’s significance, thus the Opera and Ballet Music Festival was born: a unique phenomenon in the country due to its longevity and complexity, a festival that has been running continuously, developing and diversifying the range of musical and choreographic performances, reaching its 40th edition in 2014 and bearing the name of the International Music and Dance Festival.
Over the years, from its foundation until now, in addition to the seasons organized on the theater stage or in the summer seasons at the seaside, successful tours have been held all over the world: Italy, South Korea, Japan, Ukraine, Russia, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, France, Austria, Switzerland.
ARRIVAL, DEPARTURE and HOW TO GET TO CONSTANTA
You should arrive at the latest around the afternoon of June 22nd, and the earliest for departure will be June 28th. (Although of course there’s no problem if you want to leave directly after the concert, but be aware there are no trains leaving Constanta after 9 PM).
After you have landed in Bucharest Otopeni Airport, if you are planning to arrive with public transportation, take a short train to “Bucaresti Nord” central train station (the station at the airport is just outside, right in front of the main exit). Then from there take the train to Constanta that takes about 2.5-3 hours. Be careful upon arriving to take a taxi only from the ones parking outside, and not from drivers calling and searching for passengers at the station main hall.
Consider the travelling between Bucharest and Constanta when planning your flights. We recommend landing in Bucharest in the morning to maximum at 2-3 PM, and plan a flight back not before 12 PM.
For trains schedules and details and you can check here
Constanta does have a small airport but flights landing there are only from Bucharest, Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) or London (Wizz air).
ACCOMMODATION
Constanta is a wonderful and beautiful beach city on the coast of the Black Sea. It is very touristic and very active during the summer. Therefore, accommodation is quite easy to find: there is an enormous number of hotels from all range of prices, as well as plenty of Airbnb apartments around the Opera House. We are sure you will easily find something that fits you.
If you need any recommendation about hotels, let us know and we will guide you through our favorites ones.