Crișan: Waterways, Nature and Local Culture

Nature and Waterways

Tourist Route 1 runs to Mila 23 via Crișan, continuing to Maliuc and then to Tulcea. Tourist Route 2 runs via the Crișan Canal and Caraorman, then continues via Crișan, the Sulina branch and Maliuc back to Tulcea. Route 3 passes through Crișan and continues via the Crișan Canal and the Caraorman Canal to Lakes Puiu, Roșu and Roșuleț and to Sulina.

Tourist Route 6 begins in Crișan and runs via the Old Danube, Mila 23, the Eracle Canal, Lopatna Gârla and the Lopatna Canal to Lake Trei Iezere. Tourist Route 7 begins and ends in Crișan and runs via the Old Danube, the Magearu Canal and the Sulina branch. Route 9 runs from Crișan via Red Lake and Sulina back to Crișan. Route 9 runs from Crișan via Red Lake and Sulina back to Crișan. The extension of Tourist Route 13 ends at the Ecological Information and Documentation Centre in Crișan.

A themed waterway operated by the Rowmania Centre ran via the Crișan Canal, Lake Capcicova, Lake Zapadna and Lake Iacob back to the Crișan Canal. Recreational and leisure tourism in Crișan includes excursions on the adjacent canals. Those comparing the routes can use the named canals, lakes, place names and endpoints as a guide.

The Sulina branch crosses the Crișan commune from east to west. The Rowmania Crișan Ecotourism Centre is located on the Sulina branch and is a starting point for Canotca tours.

Birdwatching is practised in Crișan and covers almost all bird species found in the Danube Delta. Sport fishing is practised in Crișan in designated sport-fishing areas.

The Caraorman Forest is located near Crișan, occupying the central part of the Caraorman spit on the southern side of the Sulina branch, and is considered a tourist attraction. The forest is designated a natural monument and comprises stands of oak, ash and poplar with dense undergrowth and climbing vegetation with a Mediterranean character. Tourist facilities of interest in Crișan include an ARBDD information centre.

The Rowmania Crișan Ecotourism Centre provided tourists with an audio guide featuring the voices of common birds from the surrounding area.

Culture and Crafts

Crișan is home to the Lipovan folklore ensemble “Privighetorile Deltei”, which sings traditional songs. The Beliscul de la Crișan monument is located in the village of Crișan of the same name. There is also the Ukrainian folklore ensemble “Rebalka”. Through traditional costumes, music and dance, the “Rebalka” ensemble contributes to preserving local traditions and customs.

The Ivan Patzaichin Museum – Centre for Community Innovation in Mila 23, in the commune of Crișan, invites visitors to discover important stages in Patzaichin’s life and the history of the picturesque village. Stipoc Monastery, also called Schitul Sfântul Atanasie, is located on the Stipoc spit between the communes of Chilia Veche and Crișan. Stipoc Monastery includes a small wooden church in the Moldavian style.

In Crișan, visitors can meet traditional boatbuilders known as marangozi. Weaving fishing nets is one of the traditional crafts in Crișan that visitors can learn more about. Festivalul Borșului Pescăresc is considered a local tradition in Crișan. Cupa Deltei la Știucă is a fishing event organised in Crișan for spinning anglers from across the country.

More Destinations

More destinations in the travel region: Somova, Topolog, Băltenii De Sus, Partizani, Sarichioi, Murighiol, Chilia Veche, Periprava.

Regional Cuisine

Traditional fish borscht is one of the dishes visitors can eat in Crișan. Mint brandy is known as a branded product in Crișan.

To the higher-level travel overview: Tulcea.