Galați, Port city in eastern Romania
Galați sits on the left bank of the Danube near the Moldovan border, stretching across flat terrain with low hills in the hinterland. Wide boulevards run from the riverfront into the center, where multi-story apartment blocks stand beside older brick buildings and trams roll through the main streets.
The first written mention dates to 1445, though archaeological finds show Dacian settlements existed here in the 6th and 5th centuries BCE. In the 19th century, the settlement grew through grain trade and later developed into an industrial center with shipyards and steelworks.
Orthodox churches in the center show the religious character of the region, while street names honor Romanian poets and historians. On warm evenings, locals gather in parks along the river, where older men play chess and families sit on benches.
Most sights lie within walking distance in the center, while trams connect outlying neighborhoods and run regularly through the main streets. The riverfront area is good for walks, especially in the late afternoon when the light over the water becomes softer.
The port ranks among the largest river harbors in Europe and receives ships from the Black Sea through a canal linking the Danube to the sea. In the early morning hours, you can watch fishermen casting their nets from smaller boats beside the huge cargo vessels.
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