Happy TravellerWelcome to Zimnicea, a charming town located in Teleorman County, Romania. Situated on the left bank of the Danube river, Zimnicea is the southernmost place in Romania and a harbor on the Danube river. The town is a port on the Danube opposite the Bulgarian city of Svishtov and is served around the clock by the Svishtov-Zimnicea ferry – a regularly scheduled Roll-on/roll-off ferry across the Danube between Zimnicea and Svishtov, Bulgaria. The ferry shortens the road path to and from Turkey to Central and Western Europe by 140 kilometers (87 miles) when compared to the traditional route over the Danube Bridge at Ruse-Giurgiu and allows a time gain of nearly 4 hours thus avoiding the traffic in and around the city of Bucharest.
Zimnicea developed near a Geto-Dacian fortress (about 1,200 meters (3,937 feet) west of town center). Traditional agriculture, fishing, iron processing, carpentry, pottery, tissue exchange of products were the occupations of the people throughout the town’s existence. The natives of Zimnicea sold grain, cattle, sheep, fish, butter, salt, honey, wax, timber and bought cloth, oriental fabric, carpets, and spices. In 1838, the settlement Zimnicea was passed in the fairs, with the general population census of that year 551 families and 3,046 inhabitants. In the years 1837-1839 Zimnicea became the capital of Teleorman County. Near Zimnicea, there are ruins of several ancient fortresses and fortifications from the 4th to the 1st century BC. The oldest are believed by some scholars to have been built to defend the town from Alexander the Great’s general, Lysimachus. The name of the town was first mentioned in 1385 in the travel logs of Christian pilgrims on their way home from their trip to Jerusalem. The Byzantines called it Demnitzikos and later on Dzimnikes or Dzimnikos. The town flourished as a trade post on the trade routes that linked Central Europe to the Balkans. In 1835, it had 531 households, being the twelfth largest market town in Wallachia. For a short time in 1837 to 1838, it was the capital of Teleorman County, but due to internal dissent between the landowners and merchants, it was replaced by Alexandria.
Zimnicea has a rich history, and visitors can explore the town’s past by visiting the ruins of ancient fortresses and fortifications. The town also played a significant role in the Romanian War of Independence (1877–1878) and World War I. During the Romanian War of Independence, it was the headquarters of the Russian troops fighting in Bulgaria against the Ottoman Empire. During World War I, German Empire troops crossed the Danube in the Zimnicea sector, effectively bringing down the Romanian front in Muntenia.
Zimnicea is a small town, but it has a lot to offer to visitors. The Dunărica children’s camp has a capacity of 200 accommodation places, with a football field and a tennis court, a kayak-canoe base, and a cafeteria with 250 places. Zimtub SA Zimnicea Hotel has a capacity of 48 rooms, a restaurant with 100 seats, and a nightclub with 80 seats. The amusement and recreation base Disko – Hope is situated on the Danube riverside and has a beach with, as well as an outdoor dancing club with a capacity of 1,200 places. There is also an amusement base at the beach from Cheson.
Zimnicea is a great destination for those who want to explore a small town with a rich history and culture. Visitors can enjoy the town’s beautiful landscapes, taste the local cuisine, and learn about the town’s past by visiting its ancient fortresses and fortifications. Come and discover the hidden gem of Teleorman County, Romania – Zimnicea!
