Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE DANUBE
The Danube is Europe's longest river at 2780km, and for 472km of its length it forms much of the border between
Bulgaria and Romania. Called the Dunav by Bulgarians, it rises in the Black Forest of southwestern Germany and
empties into the Black Sea. It travels through four capital cities (Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava and Belgrade) and
ten countries (Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine).
No other river is shared by so many countries. The Danube's average depth is about 5m and the water rarely flows
faster than 3km/h.
Silistra
086 / POP 35,600
Sitting on the Danube, with picturesque views across the water to the forested Romanian
shore, sedate Silistra feels a little out on a limb and foreign visitors are pretty thin on the
ground. It's a pleasant, laid-back place, though, with some intriguing ruins and a couple of
museums to explore, while the town's accommodation options are surprisingly good.
The grotty bus station and adjacent train station are 1.5km from the main square, pl
Svoboda, where you'll find banks, the post office, cafes and shops.
Sights & Activities
Scattered
ruins
, including a hulking section of the 6th-century fortress wall and a number
of early churches, can be seen between the main square and the riverfront.
MUSEUM
Archaeological Museum
(ul Simeon Veliki 72; admission 2 lv; 9.30am-noon & 12.30-5pm Tue-Sat)
Silistra's
Archaeological Museum houses an impressive array of locally excavated Thracian and
Roman artefacts, though you may need to knock to get staff to open up. Highlights in-
clude a curious Orphic sundial from the 3rd-century AD, bronze Thracian helmets and
elaborate Roman chariot fittings.
Art Gallery
GALLERY
