About Argamum Citadel
Argamum, called Orgame in Greek, was founded in the middle of the 7th century BC by settlers from Asia Minor on Cape Doloșman, where the Babadag Plateau slopes down to Lake Razim. At the time Razim was an open gulf of the Black Sea, the Argamon gulf, and the town lived from trade and fishing. Its name is mentioned by Hecataeus of Miletus in the early 6th century BC.
In the 1st century AD the settlement came under Roman rule and became Argamum, a port of call on the route between Byzantium and Tyras. A sand bar gradually closed off the gulf and turned it into a lagoon that no longer admitted large ships. In late antiquity the city shrank back behind a fortress of about 2.5 hectares, rebuilt in the time of Emperor Justinian, with walls, towers and gates. It was abandoned later.
Vasile Pârvan identified the site in 1916, and systematic research began in 1926 and continues to this day. The ancient city spreads over about a hundred hectares, but most of it is still buried under the fields.
What you can see
On the promontory you can see the foundations of the fortress walls, the western gate, facing Jurilovca, and the barracks-type building in the north-western corner. Four early Christian basilicas of the 5th–6th centuries have been excavated and can be seen today, with stone walls several courses high and paving of flagstones.
From the edge of the promontory the view opens towards Lake Razim, and below the bank are limestone cliffs and pebble beaches. The ancient city has no buildings standing to any height: what you see are low ruins set in a landscape of steppe and lagoon.
Good to know
The site is in the open, without shade, and the bank is high and unprotected: bring water, a hat and sturdy footwear. The last stretch of the access road is unpaved. The area lies within the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, where ARBDD sells access permits.
Information verified on 29 October 2026.
- The western gate of the fortress, facing Jurilovca, with the walls flanking it.
- The four early Christian basilicas of the 5th–6th centuries, with their walls and flagstone floors preserved.
- The limestone cliff at Cape Doloșman, with a view over Lake Razim.
- The walls of the late Roman fortress, with the defensive ditches on the western side.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the site is ~7 km from Jurilovca (~14 minutes), on the DJ229P road, paved at first and unpaved towards the end, with uneven stretches. From Tulcea take the DN22 towards Babadag, then the DJ222 through Enisala towards Jurilovca and on along the DJ229P: ~60 km, ~1 hour 10 minutes. From Constanța take the A4, then the DN22 and DJ222: ~100 km, ~1 hour 40 minutes.
Public transport: no service to the site is confirmed; from Jurilovca the ~7 km are covered by car or taxi.
- Where to park
Park at the side of the access road, next to the information panel; from there the ruins are a few steps away, and beyond that the ground is uneven.
- Fees & discounts
The site lies within the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. ARBDD sells online, at permise.ddbra.ro, the tourist access permit (5 lei per day, 15 lei for 7 days) and a separate car permit (10 lei per day). The tourist permit is free for pupils, students, pensioners, people with disabilities and local residents.
- Rules
Visit the ruins with care: do not climb on the walls and do not take anything from the site. The area is protected: do not leave litter, and flying a drone requires an ARBDD permit. Watch out for the high bank and the uneven ground.
- Facilities
Information panel · no other facilities on site
Frequently asked questions about Argamum Citadel
How long does a visit to Argamum Citadel take?
A visit to Argamum Citadel takes about 1 – 1½ hours (the ruins and the bank).
Can you visit Argamum Citadel with kids?
Yes, Argamum Citadel is suitable for children (mind the bank, it is high).
Where can I park at Argamum Citadel?
There is free parking at Argamum Citadel (next to the information panel). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Argamum Citadel?
Argamum Citadel is located at Cape Doloșman, ~7 km from Jurilovca, at the end of the DJ229P road, Jurilovca, Tulcea County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Argamum Citadel?
The best season for Argamum Citadel: April – October (hot and shadeless in summer).
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