Founded at the beginning of the 19th century by the Lipovans (or Old Believers who fled Russia dissatisfied with the reform of the Russian Orthodox Church), Jurilovca commune, located on the banks of the Razim-Sinoe complex, became at the end of the same century an important fishing center that declined at the end of the 20th century as a result of over-exploitation of natural resources.
Located near the Argamum archeological site, the first documented city on Romania’s territory, the community has preserved its traditions which, along with the local landscape, represents a tourist attraction. As such, Jurilovca received the 2013 European Excellence Award for accessible tourism from the European Commission.
Now Jurilovca has inaugurated a new tourist port this past weekend, with a seven-minute drone show involving 200 drones. Over 30,000 people attended the opening event.
The new tourist port in Jurilovca has a capacity of 180 docking spots, divided into an area for fishermen and one for tourists and local residents. The final investment amounts to RON 19.4 million (circa EUR 3.9 million), reports Romania Insider.
The mayor of Jurilovca, Eugen Ion, arrived at the event by water and disembarked from the first boat to officially dock at the new port.
Vasile Bold is among the people who are trying to find a different path, but close to the traditional activity. Born in the village of Salcioara, a former fisherman, he worked abroad as a cook, and once he returned home, he built a guesthouse right next to the port inaugurated the other day – representing a common story of departure from an economic dead zone. He is convinced that the new port will help the community to develop.
At the craft fair, some locals tried to capitalize on their passions, reports Agerpres.
„We make natural soaps out of passion. In the beginning, we made 10,000 variations until we found the right recipe, but we succeeded. We make soaps with coconut, olive and palm oil. Customers usually come back. It’s not a business, I don’t dare yet”, declared Lidia Gubrei who, together with her husband and daughter, offered the visitors natural soaps.
The tourist port inaugurated on Saturday is the second investment of its kind carried out since 2012 until now in Jurilovca commune. The first port was built in the period 2012-2013, about 80 pct of the investment being supported mainly from the local budget, according to mayor Eugen Ion.
The new port was created through the Danube Delta Territorial-Integrated Investments financial mechanism, which jointly developed 85 projects with a total value of 15.24 million euros. From this amount, the local authority absorbed 7.24 million euros.
The new infrastructure offers users safe mooring conditions, the possibility to connect to the utility network, a 50-spot parking lot, two electric charging stations and solar panels, the total value of the works being around 2 million euros.
