The wide Danube river meets you again in the Silistra province. Your first stop is the Srebarna Nature Reserve which is a massive freshwater lake right next to the river. You can visit the museum and use the telescopes to see the rare Dalmatian pelicans that nest in the floating reed islands. This lake is a vital rest stop for birds flying from Europe to Africa twice a year. It is a quiet and beautiful spot where the only sound is the flapping of wings and the rustle of the reeds.
Drive into the city of Silistra to explore the Medzhidi Tabia which is a perfectly preserved Ottoman fortress. You can walk through the thick stone tunnels and see the rooms where soldiers lived during the many wars for the river. The fortress sits on a hill and offers a clear view across the water into Romania. The walls are still in great shape and the grassy interior is a peaceful place for a walk. It is a fantastic example of nineteen century military engineering that you can explore at your own pace.
The drive follows the riverbank where the land is flat and the soil is rich with history. You can find the ruins of the Roman city Durostorum hidden right under the modern streets of the town. Visit the local park along the river to see the ancient stone remains and enjoy the shade of the willow trees. The sunset over the Danube here is spectacular as the water turns into a sheet of gold. This province is a calm and scenic end to a journey through the northern borderlands.
Silistra (province) highlights
- Srebarna Lake provides a bird paradise where you can see rare pelicans from a museum balcony. View floating reed islands and many fish in a world class site on the Danube river. Discover the wild side of the northern nature in a place where birds come to nest.
- Medzhidi Tabia stands as a perfectly kept fortress with tunnels and very thick stone walls. Climb the hill for a clear view across the wide river into the land of Romania. Explore the rooms where soldiers lived and see the old cannons used for defense.
- Danube Garden offers a long park along the river with old Roman ruins and many willow trees. Walk the paths and watch the big ships while the sun sets over the calm water. Enjoy a peaceful and beautiful evening in a park that serves as the heart of the city.
- Tutrakan Harbor exists as an old fishing town with a museum that tells the story of life on the water. Walk through the quarter where fishermen lived and see the old wooden boats in the harbor. Experience a very authentic and charming place with a long history on the river.
- Durostorum Ruins reveal the remains of a major Roman city found under the modern town streets. See the thick walls and old stones that protected the busy river port thousands of years ago. Learn how the city has been a center for trade on the Danube for centuries.
- Maluk Preslavets hides a small lake covered in thousands of white water lilies during the summer. Visit this hidden gem for nature lovers to see the flowers right next to the small bridge. Enjoy a very quiet spot for a road trip break in the northern river land.
- Karakuz Forest covers a large green area on the hills overlooking the river plains and the fields. Drive slowly to see the wild side of the northern border land and the thick trees. Escape the hot sun in a forest that offers many quiet spots for a mountain rest.
- Silistra Roman Tomb displays a small stone room with murals that show the daily life of a master. View the old colors which are still clear on the walls of the burial chamber today. See a rare example of how people lived and dressed in the time of the Romans.
- Fortress Hill provides a great place to park the car and watch the lights of the river ships at night. View the ruins of the old city and enjoy the cool breeze coming from the Danube water. See the best view of the town and the wide river from this high point.
- Garvan Marsh protects a wild wetland area where you can see many rare birds in their natural home. Listen to the water and the calls of the wild birds in a very peaceful nature spot. Experience the quiet and untouched side of the northern river border land.
The local Four
History of Silistra (province)
Silistra is the Ancient Durostorum. Founded by the Romans as a legionary camp in the 2nd century AD, it became one of the most important military capitals of the Moesia Inferior province. Emperor Marcus Aurelius visited the city, and it was the birthplace of the famed Roman general Flavius Aetius, the Last of the Romans. The city Roman tomb, featuring 4th century murals of the master and his servants, is one of the best preserved in Europe.
The province is home to the Srebarna Nature Reserve, a protected lake on the Danube. This wetland is a remnant of the Great Marsh that once covered the riverbank, and it is a critical nesting site for the rare Dalmatian Pelican. The history of Silistra is a story of living on the edge of the empire, guarded by the Medzhidi Tabia, an Ottoman fortress built in the 1840s that remains in perfect condition today.
A road trip through Silistra offers a look at the Northern Border. You can explore the underground passages of the forts, visit the Tutrakan Fisherman Quarter to see the history of the Danube river craft, or see the water lilies at Maluk Preslavets. It is a province of slow moving river energy and ancient military grit, where the Danube is so wide it feels like a sea.