Pride of Romanian Art Nouveau design, Cazinoul din Constanţa

The Constanta municipality in Romania is found along the Black Sea’s western coast. It was the oldest continuously inhabited city in Romania, founded in 600 BC and the country’s largest waterfront community, is home to nearly 300,000 people. The port Constanta is one of the most extensive and most prominent ports in Europe and the largest on the Black Sea. The city attracts more than twice that many tourists in the summer due to its warm weather and extensive beaches.

The buildings in the city are a rare and striking example of Romanian Art Nouveau design.

Among those, this former casino, once Romania’s largest building, hosted world leaders and Europe’s elite over 100 years ago. The site was once home to an earlier version of a public recreation hall before the present structure was built in Constanta. The waterfront Casino Constanta Kursaalul opened in 1880. This wooden-framed casino and recreation hall was built on the Romanian coastline in 1898, shortly after Ottoman rule.

It was spared two bombings in two world wars before gambling laws made it unprofitable. Later, the building was forced to serve in civil service until its closing in 1990. The financial crisis, fragile renovation constraints, gambling restraints, and political indecision have all thwarted attempts to restore the waterfront site.

The waterfront terrace was its most prominent feature. It is a popular spot for tourists and the elite of Europe. The balcony had two sunbathing decks, one for women and one for men.

A storm destroyed the original wooden-framed casino building in 1891. The municipal council approved the demolition of the actual casino building in January 1892. In April 1893, the mayor ordered the rebuilding of the casino, and it was completed in 1893.

You must check out these stunning images of Casino Constanta Kursaalul if you are interested in abandoned buildings.

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