Decumarellus sarbui

Decumarellus sarbui is the first cave genus belonging to the Tyrini in the whole world; such a genus of the Tyrini tribe has never been signaled in a cave. It lives in Movile Cave, near Mangalia, Constanţa County, Southeastern Romania. The species is endemic for the chemoautotrophically based groundwater ecosystem at Mangalia and unique in the world.

Kingdom: Animalia
Subkingdom: Eumetazoa
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Infraorder: Staphyliniformia
Superfamily: Staphylinoidea
Family: Staphylinidae
Subfamily: Pselaphinae
Tribe: Tyrini
Genus: Decumarellus
Species: sarbui
Scientific name: Decumarellus sarbui Poggi, 1994

The genus Decumarellus is dedicated to the Romanian bio-speleologist Vasile Decu and at the same time reminds of the un-doubtful relationship with the genus Marellus. The species (sarbui) is dedicated to Romanian scientist Dr. Şerban M. Sârbu, from the Department of Biological Sciences of the Cincinnati University, USA.


Decumarellus sarbui shows the typical morphological adaptations to the live in caves. It might be the extreme result of the differentiation of a branch of the genus Marellus, which settled down in the hypogeus habitat and evolved independently, at least since the possibility of a link between the cave and the surface fauna came to a stop. According to the geological, hydrological and palaeo-geographical data, the isolation of the cave goes back to the end of Miocene (almost 5.5-5.2 millions of years ago) when the climate of the Southern Dobrogea got extremely dry in connection with the crisis of salinity from Messinian.

Murfatlar Vineyards

Blessed with one of the most suitable natural settings, Murfatlar Vineyard is situated in the Southeastern part of Romania, between the Danube and the Black Sea, in the center of the Dobrodja plateau. The vineyard stretches across a surface of more than 3000 ha, covering the villages of Murfatlar, Valul lui Traian, Poarta Albă şi Siminoc. Several elements as: the continental climate, diverse territory the vineyard covers, a sheltering effect against the cold currents coming from the North-East, and the unique and extremely favorable influence of the Black Sea that results in less aggressive summer heat and less frosty winters, offers Murfatlar Vineyard the perfect micro-climate to produce a large variety of quality wines.


For ages, vine growing has been the basic occupation of the people in Dobrodja, and those at Murfatlar are proudly aware they carry on a very long tradition. Scythia Minor, the Roman appellation of the region, was best known as a vine growing region. The wine obtained here was often used as trade currency by the local population and the Greek colonies on the Black Sea coast. Written testimonies on wine making were also left by the celebrated poet Publius Ovidius Naso (43 BC - 17 AD), exiled at Tomis (9-17 AD) by the Roman Emperor Augustus.


In 1907, were planted Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Muscat Ottonel and Folle Blanche assortments at the the initiative of two Romanian specialists. The core of what was about to become the most prestigious and best known Romanian vineyard was established at the beginning of the century along with the noble West-European assortments planted on Romanian soil. In 1943, Murfatlar Vine and Wines Research Site was created. The range of wine assortments was extended to Sauvignon Blanc, Traminer Rose, Italian Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot. In 1955, the vineyard was consolidated and expanded to a surface of about 2600 ha, by the including of Murfatlar State Entreprise. Gradually, the wines produced at Murfatlar became highly appreciate both on the local and the international market, the enterprise becoming the leader of Romanian wine producing. In 2000, a group of Romanian private investors became the major share holder.

Photo by sonjabgd

The extensive vineyards and wineries are located in conditions similar to southern France and California. Over 300 days of sunshine, along with cool breezes from the sea, make this area ideal for the production of sweet dessert wines, but soft, rich red wines are also produced here. At wine contests all along the world, the Murfatlar wines were awarded no less than 350 golden medals. (from Murfatlar)

Enisala Fortress

The Enisala Fortress (Romanian: Cetatea Enisala, often referred to as Heracleea Fortress) is a 12th to 14th century medieval fortress sitting high on a hill overlooking Lake Razim (Razelm) and a vast field of reed grass and water channels, in Tulcea County, Dobrodja.


The village Enisala (Turkish for New Village) is the site of a fortress dominating nearby lakes (previously gulfs) of Razelm and Babadag. Dated to the late 13th century, it was built either by the Genoese or the Byzantines to control the travel routes that passed through the region. The fortress has an irregular polygonal plan, and a quadrilateral towers. A part of the second precinct vestige has been preserved. The fortress' three hexagonal towers are the only of this type found in the whole region of Dobruja, and have been interpreted as a sign of a Western origin of the builders.


The fortress was first conquered by the Ottomans in 1388/1389, and retaken in 1416/1417 after a brief Wallachian rule (it belonged to Wallachia's Prince Mircea the Elder). It was conquered by Sultan Mehmet I in 1417 (who renamed it "o Yeni Sale"). Due to the new political situation and the development of sand spits that hampered trade, the fortress gradually decayed, and was finally abandoned around the end of the 15th century.

This is Europe's prime birdwatching area and you are likely to spot white-fronted and red-breasted geese, terns, waders, pelicans, herons and warblers. One can visit also a traditional fisherman's house converted into a museum displaying colorful tapestries and folk art, or the Enisala Safari Village Inn.

Tropaeum Traiani

The Tropaeum Traiani is a monument in Roman Civitas Tropaensium (site of modern Adamclisi, Constanţa County, Dobrodja, Romania), built in 109 in then Moesia Inferior, to commemorate Roman Emperor's Trajan victory over the Dacians, in 102, in the Battle of Tapae. The monument was erected on the place where legion XXI Rapax had previously been crushed (92 AD). Before Trajan's construction, an altar existed there, on the walls of which were inscribed the names of 3000 legionaries and auxilia (servicemen) who had died "fighting for the Republic".


Trajan's monument was inspired by the Augustus mausoleum, and was dedicated to the god Mars Ultor in 107/108 AD. On the monument there were 54 metopes depicting Roman legions fighting against enemies; most of these metopes are preserved in the museum nearby. The monument was supposed to be a warning to the tribes outside this newly conquered province.


The original monument has long since disintegrated. The present edifice is a reconstruction dating from 1977. The nearby museum contains many archaeological objects, including parts of the original Roman monument. Of the original 54 metopes, 48 are in the museum and 1 is in Istanbul.


The reliefs stand out because of a rough technique, that, however, is typical of Roman provincial art, much less under the influence of the realism of Roman aulic art and of the perfection of classical Greek art. The monument of Adamclisi was represented on coins issued during Trajan's reign. Tropaeum Traiani is unique in the world - the first triumphal building erected in the memory of heavy fighting of the Roman legions under Emperor Trajan.