Dobruja: A Unique, Intercultural and Spiritual Realm at the Black Sea

Abstract

Dobruja is a unique intercultural, spiritual and geographical landscape, an inspirational land, blessed over the ages by the dark depths of the Black Sea. Although here was sentenced to exile the great poet Ovidius and the cold winds by the Black Sea drove him to write the elegy entitled Triste, the uniqueness of Romanian Dobruja unfold in a variety of unparalleled characteristics: one can think of the Monument Trophaeum Traiani from Adamclisi and the ancient cities Capidava, Tomis, Callatis, Enisala, Vicina, Troesmis, Ibida or Sacidava; we can mention the numerous monasteries (15 only in Tulcea county), the buried Church from Istria, the tiny straw Churches from Ostrov; one should talk about the variety of cultures and religious denominations – 18 of the 20th Romanian minorities live here and, also, in Dobrudja, one can find the only Muslim village of Romania (the former Başpînar or Başpunar, now called Fântâna Mare found on the UNESCO world patrimony waiting list); one should recall the great landform variety and another could talk about “Movile” Cave, unique in the world, which presents an ecosystem which is independent of the Sun. This land also contributed with numerous scientific, cultural and religious personalities to universal and national knowledge. Among these, it is our honour to include a brief scientific portrait of Professor Alexandru Bologa celebrated at the same time with the 150 year anniversary of the Romanian Academy.