23 August: Tatlageac Lake, Coast and Archaeology

Nature and history appear in 23 August as distinct reference points for planning your trip. The coastal landscape, water and historical remains can be distinguished according to their respective spatial and temporal contexts. The beach at 23 August is mostly untouched, but access to it is not easy.

Lake and Coast

By the water, the lake, sea and beach can be viewed as distinct focal points; road and rail provide additional geographical context. Tatlageac Lake is a fluvio-marine liman on the Black Sea in the area of the municipality of 23 August in Constanța County. A strip of dunes approximately 80 m wide and approximately 2 m high separates the lake from the Black Sea; the Constanța–Mangalia railway line runs along it. The locality of 23 August is 30 km from Constanța on DN 39 between Constanța and Mangalia.

Archaeology

The historical references differ according to location and period; these two aspects help to examine the individual sites separately. On a small peninsula on the southwestern side of Tatlageac Lake lies the Greek-Roman settlement near 23 August, dating from the 3rd century BC to the 6th century AD. A Hellenistic settlement near 23 August lies between Tatlageac Lake and the Black Sea on the seashore. The Roman settlement near 23 August lies on the northern shore of Tatlageac Lake and on the seashore and dates from the 2nd to the 4th century AD. On the shore of Tatlageac Lake, a Roman settlement is recorded as a settlement from the Roman period. At the western end of Tatlageac Lake, the 23 August–Tatlageac archaeological site includes settlement traces from the Roman and medieval periods, dating to the period from the 8th to the 10th century.

Geographical Context

Lake, sea, strip of dunes, railway line and the locality form distinct spatial reference points in 23 August. The waterscape is defined by its location on the Black Sea, the separation of the bodies of water and the railway line running across it. The historical remains are spread across a peninsula, the seashore, the lakeshore and the western end of the lake. Together with the monastery, this places natural areas, settlement traces and religious architecture alongside one another in different parts of the municipality.

Monastery and Traditions

Religious architecture and community tradition can be viewed as two distinct cultural levels; names, dates and architectural forms make this level concrete. The Monastery of the Holy Hierarchs Nicholas and Bretanion stands on the shore of Tatlageac Lake in the municipality of 23 August. The 23 August Monastery was founded in 2003. Its main church is designed in Romanian architecture with Byzantine influence and features exterior decorations made of natural stone and bricks. Tatar wrestling, locally known as KureÈ™, is one of the traditions existing in the municipality of 23 August. Tatar wrestling was announced among the events for Community Day on 25 August.

Other Places

Sibioara, Agigea, Lipnița, Techirghiol, Vama Veche, Lazu, Olimp, Crișan

For the higher-level travel overview: Constanta.