Sulima, Mouth of the Danube. Sulimeh, Embouchure du Danube.

Title

Sulima, Mouth of the Danube. Sulimeh, Embouchure du Danube.

Description

Very pretty view shows the town of Sulina in the Romanian part of the Danube Delta at the mouth of the Sulina branch into the Black Sea with sailing ships in front. After the original drawing by W. H. Barlett.

ca. 1838

Artist

Wallis

Historical Description

Sulina is a small, charming town in the Danube Delta in eastern Romania, right where the Danube flows into the Black Sea. Its history is surprisingly rich and international, especially for such a remote area. Sulina was first mentioned in the 10th century, but for a long time, it remained just an insignificant fishing village. That changed fundamentally in the 19th century, when Sulina gained importance due to its strategic location. During the Crimean War (1853–1856), the European Commission of the Danube was founded—an international organization for regulating ship traffic on the Danube. Sulina became its headquarters. During this time, the town experienced its heyday. The port was expanded. Many European countries had consulates there. It had a diverse population—Greeks, Turks, Italians, Jews, Romanians, Germans, and others. The famous lighthouse of Sulina was built (and later expanded).The town became a hub for trade and maritime traffic, and cafés, churches, schools, and a cosmopolitan atmosphere emerged—unusual for this region.