On what was announced as the last weekend of summer in October, we decided to escape the seaside for a getaway to Tulcea. We said from the very beginning that it would be a Sunday dedicated to Ivan Patzaichin, especially since we didn't have the opportunity to make it to the inauguration of the cliff that bears the name of the famous Romanian athlete.
Travel tip if you drive to Tulcea
The classic road connecting Constanța to Tulcea is at least an hour longer due to the works being carried out at the entrance to Babadag. If you don't want to make a detour of over 50 km, as we did, I recommend choosing the Constanța - Baia - Sarichioi - Tulcea route (round trip). If you are coming from Bucharest , use the traditional route because you bypass the works area. On the other hand, the detour route will take you through the picturesque localities of Tulcea County (Slava Rusă, Ciucurova), and the forest, which dresses the Dobrogea hills, has the colorful clothes of autumn.
The "Ivan Patzaichin" memorial, the main point on the seafront that bears the name of the famous sportsman
The cliff in Tulcea is the connecting bridge between the city and the arms of the Danube. Disputed for years by the authorities, the piece of land finally became a pedestrian area. With an artesian well at mid-distance and a width that allows for terraces in the warm season, the seafront is an attraction for tourists and locals. Unfortunately, the transition to the city is not made through a green space, but, for the time being, there are abandoned buildings, dusty banks and scaffolding erected by the builders who restore the blocks. But if you only look towards the Danube you will ignore these unsightly aspects.
About 30 minutes of slow walking and you walk almost the entire cliff. The "Ivan Patzaichin" memorial watches over the end, which is also the entrance to the Danube Delta.
The main element of the memorial ensemble, the Column is the visible symbol from any point of the Cliff that bears its name. It honors the memory of Ivan Patzaichin from the perspective of his profile as multiple Olympic and World Canoe Champion, quadruple gold medalist at the 1968, 1972, 1980 and 1984 Summer Olympics and triple silver medalist. Made of stainless steel, the work will symbolically mark the moments in which Ivan took the fame of Romania beyond the borders through his sporting achievements.
"Metopa" - created by Mircea Cantor
In his unmistakable way of working with matter and inspired by traditional culture, Mircea Cantor uses the mosaic technique and painting to artistically reproduce Ivan's life course - starting from Mila 23, the village in the heart of the Danube Delta where he first met the water, the boat and the paddle, recurring elements in Ivan's life, and almost to the present.
"Set Heart" and "Stopped Wave" - designed by Teodor Graur
Marked by the magnetism and authority of the character IVAN – stemming from his profile of authenticity, modesty and impeccable moral probity – Teodor Graur captures the Patzaichin effect that Ivan had on those he touched, literally and figuratively. Graur captures his catalytic and inspirational side in these troubled times, an engine capable of turning the tide in people who can, in turn, change the world for the better.
"The fountain" - made by Dan Vezentan
Dan Vezentan dwells on the boundless love carried by Ivan in his soul, throughout his journey – the love for water and the Delta. Ivan took every opportunity to show the world the beauty of the places he came from. But, more than that, it aimed to show the value of water for the inhabitants - both from a utilitarian perspective and as a means of coagulation of people around water, an identity element that can bring prosperity and meaning to a community.
"The restaurant that makes caras the right way is to be recommended"
That's what Ivan Patzaichin used to say when he was taking a leisurely canoe ride through the Danube Delta.
I headed straight for the Ivan Pescar restaurant on the seafront, just to enjoy a perfectly cooked fried crucian carp. I was out of luck! The renovation work on the facades of the apartment buildings caused the restaurant to close for a short period. Since www.funkytravel.ro has friends all over Romania , I found out about the restaurant at the Stânca Dunării guesthouse in Nufăru. A 30-minute drive from Tulcea and you reach the terrace on the banks of the Sf Gheorghe arm. The culinary feast began with generous portions of homemade marinated mackerel (34 lei/portion). A 9,5 out of 10 rating for the preparation!
While my companions enjoyed storceag (38 lei/portion) and šalau (30 lei/portion), I chose, of course, a fried crucian carp.
The fish of more than 300 grams was cooked to perfection, at least according to my taste (36 lei). I highly recommend this place for the restaurant, I don't know what to say about the guesthouse because I didn't stay overnight.
Recommendation: the restaurant employees informed us that in the autumn-winter season they will only open on weekends so it would not hurt to call ahead to confirm.
The Ivan Patzaichin Museum stands at Mile 23
I hope that at the end of this year you will be able to read on www.funkytravel.ro a story about the Ivan Patzaichin Museum at Mila 23. Since the works are in full swing, I leave you a quote from Teodor Frolu. “ Historic moment! The first exhibit of the Ivan Patzaichin Museum is placed at sunset. The double canoe from the years '68-'70”
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