Story, Legends and Curiosities About the Constanța Casino

The Casino in Constanța is, without a doubt, the symbol of the largest port city in Romania. Located in the historic centre, right on the promenade, the view and the image of this building with its impressive architecture have become emblematic.

The casino was built in 1909 and opened on 15 August 1910, in the presence of Prince Ferdinand. The style adopted was Art Nouveau, reflecting the cosmopolitan influences of the casinos of the day.

The whole story woven around the casino is like something out of a film, as it is the largest building of its kind in Romania. People of the time could choose between games of roulette, blackjack and baccarat. At the time, unfortunately, the work on the buildings was heavily criticised; the local newspaper “Conservatorul” wrote that the building was a “hulking mass tricked out with all kinds of frills”. A year later the newspaper “Drapelul” criticised the mayor Cănănău: “through his position as head of the technical service and communal councillor, he could, and was even obliged to, thwart and prevent the monstrosity”.

The ground floor of the building had an impressive reception hall, which continued with a majestic three-flight staircase to the upper floor. In the north of the building were the cloakroom, reading room, changing room, two rooms and a billiard room. On the upper floor was a performance hall.

Here are some unusual things about the symbol of the city of Constanța:

• The first casino in the city was built by the uncle of Ana Aslan, next to the Genoese Lighthouse. It was made of wood and was known as the Kursaal. It was destroyed in a storm, however.
• The initial estimate showed a cost of 380,000 lei, but it was completed at 1,300,000 lei.
• The building was criticised even at its opening by His Majesty Prince Ferdinand himself, who said the casino looked like a flowering mushroom, a kind of mausoleum.
• The owner of the Café de Paris restaurant in Bucharest, Alphonse Heitz, became the casino’s manager for several years. The Communal Council approved card games and gambling for him on condition that he build a “first-class” hotel of at least 250 rooms, the Palace hotel.
• Artists loved by audiences in Paris or Monte Carlo came to the casino’s stage: Edmée Favart, queen of French operetta, Brigitte Regent, the Russian Miroica and Andrée Barely.

• On 20 August 1916, when the bombing began, the casino was used by the Red Cross as a field hospital. On 6 October the same year, the casino was bombed. Over 140 wounded died, and the building caught fire. The casino was almost destroyed, with enormous damage.
• From 1941 the casino hosted German troops who were quartered in this impressive building.
• With the advent of the communist regime in Romania, the government decided to turn the casino into a house of culture to support communist propaganda. It underwent reconsolidation work carried out by 100 political prisoners from Poarta Albă. The working conditions were hard to bear, and the routine was the same every day: “Work, fearfully and endlessly, then sleep”
• The last major repair was carried out in 1986 - 1988

Read also: The most beautiful tourist attractions in Constanța