Today is the day we return to Bucharest after spending four eventful days exploring Dobrogea. Of course we have many stops planned today also so we leave early in the morning after a good breakfast. But we stop for a few more minutes to say goodbye to the Danube Delta and the many swans enjoying the shallow water.
We now make our way north to Tulcea, the county capital, stopping only once briefly to buy some fruit on the way.
In Tulcea we have one stop planned, the Museum of History and Archaeology. After Slobozia we are a bit wary, as there was no parking there, but luckily there is sufficient parking at the entrance of the park where the museum is located.
We find the museum relatively easy and it is open, we are not sure with Covid, so soon we are inside as almost the only visitors for the day.
We are not sure what to expect in general of the museum but it is much larger than anticipated. It also has many interesting artifacts and is worthwhile a visit if in the area. We always thought there is no comparison versus the nearby one in Constanta but in our opinion it gives it a good run for its money after visiting them both.
We especially like the large collection of amphorae found on a galley sunken nearby, it is quite impressive how well preserved they are.
There are also finds from the fortresses and ruins we visited, quite interesting as now we can imagine where they were found and put it in context.
There are of course Greek and Roman tombstones but surprisingly also Turkish ones. It is surprising as most Romanian museums seem to avoid displaying artifacts from the Turkish conquest period.
The rooms are actually well arranged with a nice seating area in the middle, something sorely missing in many museums. Here we are especially intrigued by the sarcophagus like tomb of Greek-Roman origin, it is quite impressive.
There are many other interesting finds that we explore from Prehistory to more modern times. There are bone needles and lots of fishing implements and other interesting tools to look at as we move from exhibit to exhibit.
We then explore the second level of the museum which is a church related collection and not so interesting to us. So we follow the signs to the treasury, wonder what we will find there.
The treasury is surprisingly impressive with a couple of massive hoards found in the area. Hoards with gold and silver coins, lots of them probably hidden when barbarians where raiding the area. Or by the barbarians when fleeing the righteous armies of the locals, who knows.
But the most famous part of the treasury is the Agighiol hoard, we had no idea that the objects are here and not in Constanta or Bucharest. The hoard is comprised of a set of armor with the helmet being especially famous. It was even on a common stamp and in school books in the country, so quite famous.
There are also a few other interesting items here including some old Easter Eggs and a very intricate religious bowl, quite a collection for a relatively small county seat.
After finishing with the museum we explore outside a bit. This area is not part of the museum but still interesting as you can see the remains of old Aegyssus built on this high hill on a strategic location for guarding the Danube. At the beginning of the 2nd century AD, the city was included in the Moesian Limes defensive frontier system before being abandoned in the seventh century. And then after enjoying the ruins from afar, you cannot enter them, we return to the car and move on, next is a major monastery nearby.
