The Evangelia wreck
About The Evangelia wreck
The Evangelia wreck is a rusting refrigerated cargo ship that ran aground in October 1968 in the bay north of the resort of Costinești and has become the symbol of the place. The ship was built at the Harland and Wolff yard in Belfast and launched on 28 May 1942 as Empire Strength; she was later called Saxon Star and Redbrook, and from 1965, under the Greek flag, E Evangelia.
On 15 October 1968, on her way to the port of Constanța, the ship ran aground on a patch of sand in the French Bay (Golful Francezilor). Romanian rescuers managed to pull her off, but by the next morning she was back on the shore, much deeper, with a damaged propeller. The story goes that the crew grounded her on purpose to collect the insurance; the ship was abandoned and never recovered. Rust has been eating away at her slowly ever since, and the wreck has made its way onto postcards, into films and into the photos of every holiday at Costinești.
What you can see
The wreck lies in the water close to the shore, about 600 metres north of the Obelisk. You can see it from the shore and from the new breakwater built opposite it, from where it is about 60 metres away. The hull is broken in two and the stern is full of water, the superstructure on deck has collapsed, and the side, browned by rust, carries inscriptions and graffiti. In season, pleasure boats pass close to it; the trip starts from the landing stage by the Obelisk and lasts around 40 minutes.
Good to know
The wreck is decaying: in 2023 part of the stern gave way under its own weight, and loose sheets of metal drift in the water. Lifeguards warn visitors not to climb on it or go inside, because people have been pulled out of the water with cuts to their hands and feet. The wreck is for looking at from the shore or the breakwater.
Information verified on 30 October 2026.
- The rusting hull, broken in two, of the Greek cargo ship driven aground in October 1968.
- The new breakwater opposite the wreck, from which you see it from about 60 metres.
- The inscriptions and graffiti on the rusted side, visible even from the shore.
- The walk of about 600 metres from the Obelisk northwards to the end of the beach.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Costinești is ~32 km from Constanța (~40 minutes), on the DN39 towards Mangalia; from the main road you turn off towards the sea, into the resort. From the Obelisk the wreck is about 600 m on foot, to the north.
- Where to park
The simplest thing is to leave the car in the resort, in the town hall's paid car parks, and walk north from the Obelisk; the rates are displayed at the car parks.
- Fees & discounts
The wreck can be seen free of charge, from the shore or the breakwater. Pleasure-boat trips are paid for to the operator.
- Rules
Do not climb on the wreck or go inside it: the rusted plate cuts deep and the structure is unstable. Do not swim out to it: loose pieces of metal float around it. Follow the flags at the lifeguard posts and the lifeguards' instructions in season.
- Facilities
Bars, restaurants and lifeguard posts (in season) are on the resort beach, towards the Obelisk
Frequently asked questions about The Evangelia wreck
How much is a ticket to The Evangelia wreck?
Admission to The Evangelia wreck is free. More under “Fees & discounts”
What are the opening hours of The Evangelia wreck?
Opening hours at The Evangelia wreck: daily open 24 hours. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to The Evangelia wreck take?
A visit to The Evangelia wreck takes about 45 min (looking and photographing from the shore).
Can you visit The Evangelia wreck with kids?
Yes, The Evangelia wreck is suitable for children (for looking at only, from a distance).
Where can I park at The Evangelia wreck?
There is paid parking at The Evangelia wreck (in the resort, ~600 m on foot). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to The Evangelia wreck?
The Evangelia wreck is located at the Wreck Breakwater (Digul de la Epavă), northern end of Costinești beach, Costinești, Constanța County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit The Evangelia wreck?
The best season for The Evangelia wreck: All year round (visible all year).
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