Păcuiul lui Soare, River island with Byzantine fortress on the Danube in Constanța County, Romania.
Păcuiul lui Soare is a river island in the Danube with the remains of a medieval fortress situated in southeastern Romania. The stone walls are partially visible today, with much of the original structure lost to erosion over centuries.
The fortress was built in the late 10th century under Byzantine rule and served as a key position to control river traffic. It played an important role in conflicts between different empires competing for dominance over the Danube.
The stones here bear marks from Protobulgarian construction methods, linking the site to the First Bulgarian Empire and its influence in the region. These archaeological traces tell of an era when different powers competed for control of this strategic river location.
The island has suffered significant erosion, so only portions of the original fortress walls remain visible for visitors. When visiting, expect to see mainly foundations and scattered stone fragments rather than a complete structure.
The name comes from old Romanian words, with 'soare' meaning sun, possibly referring to the island's eastern exposure. This linguistic connection shows how local names often reflect the geography and daily observations of the people living nearby.
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