Techirghiol (, historical name: ''Tekirgöl'') is a town in Constanța County,

Northern Dobruja Northern Dobruja ( ro, Dobrogea de Nord or simply ; bg, Северна Добруджа, ''Severna Dobrudzha'') is the part of Dobruja within the borders of Romania. It lies between the lower Danube river and the Black Sea, bordered in the south ...

, Romania.

Etymology

The name is derived from the

Turkish Turkish may refer to: *a Turkic language spoken by the Turks * of or about Turkey ** Turkish language *** Turkish alphabet ** Turkish people, a Turkic ethnic group and nation *** Turkish citizen, a citizen of Turkey *** Turkish communities and mi ...

''Tekirgöl'' which means "the lake of Tekir". According to a legend, a blind and crippled old man named Tekir and his old donkey reached the shore of the lake by mistake. Trying to pull his stubborn animal out of the mud, Tekir was miraculously healed so he could see and walk normally again. Since then the lake has become famous for its healing properties. Tekir and his donkey are featured in a

statue A statue is a free-standing sculpture in which the realistic, full-length figures of persons or animals are carved or cast in a durable material such as wood, metal or stone. Typical statues are life-sized or close to life-size; a sculpture t ...

located in the center of the town. The name also means (in Turkish) "Striped Lake" (tekir - striped, and göl - lake). This is because of the salinity of the lake; when the wind blows, white salt stripes appear on the surface of the lake.

Location

Town is in the south east extremity of Romania (Constanța County), situated on the north west shore of Lake Techirghiol (11.6 km²), elevation 15–20 m, 18 km south of the municipality of Constanța and very close to the Black Sea (3 km). In Techirghiol the winters are mild and the summers are warm, dominant being the clear skies (the sun shines for more than 2,400 hours every year).

History

Techirghiol was first marked on the country's map in 1893, but developed steadily after 1912, establishing itself as a spa town. In 1891, Hagi Pandele opened its doors, the first hotel and cold baths establishment in the town. In 1900 the extraction of therapeutic mud initiated and this led to the construction of many bathing establishments and hotels. After World War I, in 1920, Techirghiol started to become a very popular tourist attraction due to its famous therapeutic mud.

Techirghiol Balneotherapy Center

The

sapropelic Sapropel (a contraction of ancient Greek words ''sapros'' and ''pelos'', meaning putrefaction and mud (or clay), respectively) is a term used in marine geology to describe dark-coloured sediments that are rich in organic matter. Organic carbon ...

mud from the Techirghiol Lake is the jewel of the resort. In 1924, at the Universal Exposition from Paris, the Techirghiol mud received the golden medal. Alphons Saligny was the first to study the therapeutic use of the mud; after this the Romanian Institute of Balneology approved it and during the 1930s the studies realized by Alphons Saligny and the Institute were the base for solid scientific proof regarding the therapeutic actions of the sapropelic mud of Techirghiol and the methodology of those treatments. The sapropelic mud of Techirghiol is used warm for different kind of procedures: *Wraps *

Cataplasm A poultice, also called a cataplasm, is a soft moist mass, often heated and medicated, that is spread on cloth and placed over the skin to treat an aching, inflamed, or painful part of the body. It can be used on wounds, such as cuts. 'Poultice' ...

*Water mixed, for baths in bathtubs *Massag

Places of interest

* Lake Techirghiol *"Saint Mary" Monastery *Techirghiol Balneotherapy Center * Catholic Church dedicated to St. Conrad of Parzham * Bronze Statue of Saint Pantelimon * Romanian Nautical Club

Demographics

At the 2011 census, Techirghiol had: 5,646 Romanians (82.48%), 8 Hungarians (0.12%), 27 Roma (0.39%), 336 Turks (4.91%), 615 Tatars (8.98%), 6 Lipovans (0.09%), 17 Aromanians (0.25%), 184 others (2.69%), 6 with undeclared ethnicity (0.09%).

Notable natives

Jean Constantin Jean Constantin (; born Constantin Cornel Jean; 21 August 1927 – 26 May 2010) was a well-known Romanian comedian of Greek ethnicity. Constantin was born in Techirghiol, and died in Constanța. Filmography *' (2010) .... Agârbiceanu *''Vine ...

, Romanian actor

References

External links

Alternative website about TechirghiolLegends of TechirghiolTechirghiol Balneotherapy CenterSaint Mary Monastery
{{Authority control Towns in Romania Populated places in Constanța County Localities in Northern Dobruja Populated coastal places in Romania Spa towns in Romania Place names of Turkish origin in Romania