Constanta Casino to be entirely cultural destination

The Constanta Casino will become entirely a cultural destination and will also host a cafe, nevertheless, gambling activities will no longer take place there, Marketing Director of the Casino Maria Besnea said."The Casino will be entirely a cultural destination. There will be private events, but public ones will all have cultural content. There will be no more gambling, perhaps to some people's disappointment, but the long-term gain should benefit not just Constanta, but all of Romania, as we aim to make the Casino a national and local symbol," said the marketing director.According to her, a bidding procedure is underway to open a cafe inside the building."The Casino was reopened a few days ago, on May 21, during the City Days celebrations, after an extensive renovation process lasting about five years, funded by the National Investment Company with approximately 40 million euros. Everyone who steps into the Casino again will discover its original architecture, preserved as much as possible, and the attention given to architectural details. The Casino now welcomes visitors in a complete and complex format," Maria Besnea explained.The public visiting areas of this iconic building are organised across three levels."On the ground floor, visitors will find the reception area, where tickets can be purchased. Reservations can also be made online, via the Casino's website. Near the reception, the first point of contact is an exhibition created in partnership with the Romanian Navy Museum, showcasing lighthouse structures and their symbolism, linking them to the city's and Casino's history. Visitors then move into the reception hall, home to the famous staircase featured in many photos and films about the Casino. Also on the ground floor is another exhibition that tells the Casino's story, including some of the more colourful episodes from its tumultuous past, with original plans and archive documents, all curated by the Zepelin architecture studio, who supported us throughout this exhibition effort," she added.Access to the upper level is via the famous staircase, largely preserved in its original form. There, visitors enter the former ballroom, now fully equipped to host concerts, theatre performances and similar events.From the main hall, guests can enter a smaller room with a sea view, called the Hall of Mirrors, which hosts an exhibition dedicated to Anghel Saligny."This exhibition also discusses Anghel Saligny's role in the development of Dobrogea through the Cernavoda Bridge and the region's connection to the rest of the country. It also presents his impact on the development of the port, which, thanks to his plans, led to Constanta becoming one of the most modern ports in Europe at that time," said the marketing director.On the ground floor, accessible from the large main hall, two immersive exhibitions are currently open, "more attractive to younger visitors and children, but certainly enjoyable for adults as well, featuring virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experiences about the marine environment, the Black Sea, underwater life and fish."Maria Besnea also said the Casino management is currently working to establish partnerships with cultural institutions to raise the quality of the cultural content offered to the general public.Ticket prices are as follows: Full visit (adults): 50 lei; Students, pupils, pensioners: 25 lei; Children under 7 and persons with disabilities (plus one companion): Free; Ground floor + basement only: 30 lei (adults), 15 lei (discounted categories); Upper floor only: 20 lei (adults), 10 lei (discounted categories); Guided tour of entire building for groups of 25-30 people: 100 lei per person; Professional photo/video session (30 minutes): 1,000 lei; Family photo session (30 minutes): 500 lei.Maria Besnea mentioned that a full accessibility programme is being developed, which will include an audio guide available via QR Code, for all visitors and especially those with visual impairments."Inaugurated in 1910, the Constanta Casino was once the favorite place of European aristocracy, a pearl of Art Nouveau architecture built on the Black Sea promenade. It has survived wars, regimes and neglect, but has always remained in the city's heart, as a symbol of elegance and resilience. Today, fully restored, the Casino reopens as a contemporary cultural centre where history lives in harmony with art, technology and the spirit of a new generation," reads the official Casino website.The Constanta Casino is managed by Patrimoniu Constanta Litoral SRL, a company established by the local administration earlier this year.The National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAT) and its partners are organising a familiarisation trip (infotrip) along the Romanian seaside from May 28 to June 1, ahead of the official start of the summer season. (Photo:https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1026411789518235&set=a.547816870711065)