Galati General Information
Fast Facts
Location: Eastern Romania (County: Galati)
Size: 46.4 sq. miles (120 sq. kilometers)
Elevation: 115 ft. (35 meters)
Population: 126,000
Inhabited since: 500 BC
First documented: 2nd Century AD
Galati Sights and Landmarks
Although a number of history books state that Galati was first documented in 1445,
Tabula Peutingeriana (Latin for "The Peutinger Map") - 2nd century AD - attests that ”Galatie”
existed as a fishing village - at the confluence of Danube and Siret Rivers and, started to develop at the beginning the first millenium.
Burnt to the ground, 3 times, by the Russians, the Otomans and the Greeks, Galați reborn again and again.
Galati has been a major trade hub since the seventeenth century.
In 1837 Galați was declared a free port (Porto-Franco) and several decades of significat economic growth followed.
where he began his trip, on land, to Transylvania.
Galați continued to grow after the WWII and also became known worldwide for its huge steel mill and shipyard;
in the early 1990s over 50,000 people were employed by the two companies.
Galati landmarks include the Fortified Church of Precista (Biserica Precista), Galati Administrative Palace, University of Galati, Mavromol Church, The Orthodox Cathedral (Catedrala Arhiepiscopală), Palace of Justice, Maritime Terminal, Robescu Mansion (Casa Robescu), Craftsmen Synagogue.
Jewish Galati
Galați jewish population was first documented in the 17th century.
The population of Jews increased as a result of the city's dynamic economy
and, reached over 19,000 in 1930 (20% of the city’s population).
A Jewish community association was created in 1895 and was acknowledged as a legal entity in 1906.
The religious life of Galati's Jewish Community was complemented by the creation of synagogues, Jewish cemeteries, Jewish hospitals and primary schools, craft guilds, charity societies, ritual baths, Hevra Kadishah.
From 1881 until 1919, Galați was the center of the Zionist movement in Romania; the Revisionist Zionist organization of the country was set up in Galati in 1926.
Craftsmen Temple or Synagogue of Artisans
Templul Meseriasilor
Address: Strada Dornei 7 - 11
Telephone: (+4) 0236 413.662
Galati Jewish Community Website
Built in 1875, soon after the Association of Jewish Craftsmen was established, the Craftsmen Synagogue is the only temple to remain standing in Galati, out of the twenty-three that were active here during the 1930s.
Galati Synagogue more info
Museums
Galati History Museum
Muzeul Istorie „Paul Păltănea”
Address: Strada Mr. Iancu Fotea 2 bis
Telephone: (+4) 0733 730.573
Website
Natural Science Museum
Complexul Muzeal de Stiinte ale Naturii
Adresa: Str. Regimentul 11 - Siret 6A
Telephone: (+4) 0236 411.898
Website
Galati Museum of Visual Arts
Muzeul de Arte Vizuale Contemporane
Address: Strada Domneasca 141
Telephone: (+4) 0236 413.452
Website
Galati Public Library "V. A. Urechia"
Biblioteca V. A. Urechia / Palatul CED
Address: Strada Mihai Bravu 16
Telephone: (+4) 0236 411.037
Website
Founded in 1889, thanks to the generous donation of professor Vasile Alexandrescu Urechia -
the first Romanian national nominated for a Nobel Prize for Peace,
Galati Public Library is housed in the former Palace of the European Commission of the Danube (River).
Rare books in the collection of Galati Public Library include:
"De la consolatione theologiae" (author: Johannes de Tambaco), printed in Strasbourg in 1472;
"Historia del popolo fiorentino" (author: Brunus Aretinus Leonardus), printed in Venice in 1476;
"Tractatum de moribus condictionibus et nequicia turcorum" (author: Georgius de Septemcastris), printed in Utrecht in 1481;
"Ruralia commoda" (author: Petrus de Crescenttis), printed in Lowen in 1474 la Lowen;
"Historia Fiorentina" (author: Johannes Bracciolinus Poggio), printed in Venice in 1476;
"Facta et Dicta Memorabila" (author: Valerius Maximus), printed in Milan in 1478.
Galati Public Library is home to over 600,000 books and 17,000 documents (manuscripts, maps, photos, postcards. microfilms).
Remants of Roman Castrum Tirighina-Barboşi
Castrul Roman de la Tirighina-Barboşi
Ruins of Roman settlement (2nd century AD), built on the site of a Dacian fortress.
The area is also home to a paleontological reservation that protects 400,000 years-old molluscs fossils.
Attractions near Galati
Macin Mountains National Park
Parcul National Muntii Macinului
Where: 24 miles southeast of Galati
Access: car (on DN22 D)
Website
400 million years ago, this mountain range stretched all the way to Western Europe. Its traces can still be found in Bohemia and the French Central Massif. Today, Tutuiatu Peak, the highest peak of the oldest mountain range in Romania, reaches just 1,495 ft.
Macin Winery
Crama Dobrogeana
Where: 20 miles southeast of Galati
Access: car, bus
Address: Str. Viticultori 2, Macin
Telephone: (+4) 0240 573.368
Town of Macin is known for its wines obtained from native varieties of grapes Tămâioasă Românească, Fetească Neagră.
Macin Winery more info
Basilica Niculițel
Bazilica Niculițel
Where: 38 miles southeast of Galati
Access: car, bus
Address: DJ229C 43, Niculițel
A Christian basilica, built in the mid-3rd century near the village of Niculițel, was revealed in 1971 when a creek overflowed its banks.
The relics of Saints Zoticus, Atallus, Camisius and Philippos, who endured martyrdom because they openly proclaimed their faith in Christ, were found in the basilica. The relics of these can now be seen at Cocoș Monastery, 5 miles northwest of Niculițel.
Basilica Niculițel more info
Sarica Niculițel Winery
Crama Sarica - Niculitel
Where: 36 miles southeast of Galati
Access: car, bus
Address: DN 22 Tulcea - 4 miles east of village Niculitel
Telephone: (+4) 0744 551.518
E-mail
Website
Garboave Forest — natural oak tree reserve (1,000 acres)
Ostrovul Prut Natural Park
Day Trips
The Danube Delta
Delta Dunarii
Location: 50 miles east of Galati
Access: car or bus to Tulcea and then boat
Danube Delta info
The Danube Delta is comprised of an intricate network of waterways and lakes divided between the three main estuary channels of the Danube. The area of floating reed islands, forests, pastures and sand dunes covers 3,000 square miles and is home to a vast array of wildlife. Located at the tip of the three channels, Tulcea makes a great starting point for exploring the Delta.
Town of Tulcea
Location: 54 miles (85 km) southeast of Galati
Access: car, bus
Tulcea info
Brăila Wetlands Nature Park
Parcul Natural Balta Mică a Brăilei
Where: 50 miles (82 km) south of Galati
Balta Mică a Brăilei info
Odobesti Winery
Cramele Odobesti - Senator
Where: 62 miles northwest of Galati
Access: car, bus
Address: Cramele Odobești, DN2D
Telephone: (+4) 788 237.001
Wines obtained at Odobesty winery from native varieties of grapes include: Băbească Neagră, Busuioacă de Bohotin, Crâmpoșie, Fetească Neagră, Fetească Regală, Șarbă, Tămâioasă Românească, Zghihară.
Macin Winery more info
City of Constanta
Location: 125 miles (230 km) southeast of Galati
Access: car, bus
Constanta info
Odobesti Vineyards
Galati Performing Arts
Galati Drama Theatre
Teatrul Dramatic "Fani Tardini"
Address: Strada Domneasca 59
Telephone: (+4) 0236 412.745
Website
Galati Music Theatre
Teatrul Muzical "Nae Leonard"
Address: Strada Mihai Bravu 50
Telephone: (+4) 0236 418.912
Website
Gulliver Puppet Theatre
Teatrul de păpuși Gulliver
Address: Strada Domnească 59
Telephone: (+4) 0236 412.302
Website
CITY ESSENTIALS
Transportation
Air
Galati does not currently have an airport however, the local authorities have recently announced plans to build an international airport to serve the metropolitan area Galati - Braila
Nearest international airports to Galați are:
Constanta (CND) - 130 miles S
Bucharest - Henri Coanda (OTP) - 140 miles S W
On June 24, 1926 a De Havilland DH-9 plane took-off from Galati airport and landed in Bucharest.
Galati airport ceased operations in 1958 and it is now a residential area called "Aviatie" (Aviation).
Train
Galati Train Station
Gara Galați
Address: Strada Garii nr. 1
(0.4 miles from downtown).
Telephone: (+4) 0236 460.643
Daily connections to / from main cities in Romania.
Car
Distance from Galați to selected cities and towns in Romania:
Bucharest — 150 miles
Brasov — 182 miles
Cluj — 353 miles
Constanta — 128 miles
Oradea/Felix Spa — 448 miles
Sibiu — 273 miles
Suceava — 210 miles
Timisoara — 445 miles
Bus
Galati Bus Stations
Metropoli Bus Terminal
Autogara Galati Metropoli
Address: Strada Ana Ipătescu 21
Telephone: (+4) 0336 401.584
Daily domestic bus service from/to: Bucharest, Bacău, Barlad, Brasov, Constanta, Galati, Iasi, Sibiu, Suceava, Tulcea
I C Frimu Bus Terminal
Autogara I C Frimu
Address: Strada Tecuci 198
Telephone: (+4) 0236 445.288
Daily domestic bus service from/to: Bucharest, Bacău, Barlad, Brasov, Constanta, Galati, Iasi, Sibiu, Suceava, Tulcea
Galati Public Transportation
3 tramway and 23 bus routes connect Galati's main areas and tourist attractions.
Galati public transportation map
Galati Taxi
Delta Car: (+4) 0236 320.000
Ace: 940
Leonardo: 947
Galati Car Rental
Big Rent Car
Address: Bulevardul George Coșbuc 74
Telephone: (+4) 0753 711.711
Website
Sun Car
Strada Cristofor Columb 6
Telephone: (+4) 0771 129.135
Website
Galati Hotels
Accommodations in Galati include:
| Class | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| Mercure Centrum | four-star / midscale | Galati City Centre |
| Riverside | four-star / midscale | 3 miles southwest of Galati City Centre, left bank of Danube River |
| Orient | three-star / midscale | 3.5 miles southwest of Galati City Centre |
| Evianne | three-star / midscale | 1.4 miles southwest of Galati City Centre |
| Viva Club | four-star / midscale | three miles north of Galati City Centre |
| Hotel Alex | three-star / midscale | three miles west of Galati City Centre |
| Faleza | three-star / midscale | one mile south of Galati City Centre |
| Vega | three-star / midscale | one mile south of Galati City Centre |
| Ibis Styles | three-star / midscale | Galati City Centre |
| Vila Bordeaux | three-star / midscale | 1.4 miles southwest of Galati City Centre |
Shopping
Galati Shopping City
Address: Bulevardul George Cosbuc 251
Website
Galati Antique and Souvenir Shops
Antichitati Chiriac
Address: Strada Nicolae Bălcescu 12
Telephone: (+4) 0756 305.312
Antichitati Chiriac more info
Anticariat Balcescu Galati
Address: Strada Nicolae Bălcescu 17, Bloc Albatros
Telephone: (+4) 0751 307.072
Anticariat Balcescu more info
Anticariatul Cronos
Address: Strada Nicolae Bălcescu 10
Telephone: (+4) 0751 167.540
Website
Manuk Deco - Decoratiuni Handmade
Address: Strada Brăilei 260, Bloc G9
Telephone: (+4) 0747 986.649
Tourist Information
Galati Useful Telephone Numbers:
General Emergency # (Ambulance, Police): 112
Galati City Hall
Primaria Galati
Address: Strada Domnească 54
Telephone: (+4) 0236 307.700
PrimariaGalati.ro
Emergency Hospital
Spitalul Clinic Judetean de Urgenta
Address: Strada Brailei 177
Website
Galati County Archives
(Directia Judeteana Galati a Arhivelor Nationale)
Address: Strada Constructorilor 2
Telephone: (+4) (+4) 0236 436.114
E-mail
Opening Hours
Consumer Protection Agency
Comisariatul Pentru Protecţia Consumatorilor Galaţi
Address: Strada Egalității 2
Telephone: (+4) 0236 413.929
Email: secretariat.galati@anpc.ro
Website
