Ovid Square | Constanta

Physical & Material Composition

The square features a central bronze statue of the Roman poet Publius Ovidius Naso, measuring 2.5 meters in height. The monument stands on a pedestal of white Marmara marble, which bears Latin inscriptions.

The surrounding plaza is paved with granite slabs and basalt cobblestones. The architectural style of the perimeter buildings consists of Neoclassical and Art Nouveau structures, predominantly constructed from limestone and reinforced concrete.

Geographical Location

The square is located at the coordinates 44.1747° N, 28.6583° E in the Old Town district of Constanța. It sits 300 meters west of the Tomis Tourist Port and the Black Sea coastline.

The site is positioned at the intersection of Tomis Boulevard and Trajan Street. It is situated 2 kilometers southeast of the Constanța Main Railway Station.

Access Logistics

Pedestrian access is unrestricted from the northern end via Tomis Boulevard. Vehicle traffic is prohibited within the central perimeter, designated as a pedestrian zone.

Bus routes 44, 48, and 51 stop at the Poarta 1 terminal located 400 meters south of the square. The terrain is flat, maintaining a constant elevation of approximately 15 meters above sea level.

Historical Markers

Ettore Ferrari sculpted the central bronze monument in 1887. The National Museum of History and Archaeology, which dominates the square's western side, was originally built as the City Hall between 1912 and 1921.

Archaeological excavations in 1959 revealed the Roman Mosaic Edifice located on the southwestern corner. The site served as the administrative and commercial hub of the ancient city of Tomis during the 1st through 6th centuries CE.

Insider Observation

A small brass plaque near the base of the Ovid statue contains the sculptor's signature and the foundry mark from Rome. A subterranean ventilation grate near the museum entrance provides a view into the lower Roman masonry layers.

The marble pedestal exhibits faint horizontal striations caused by saltwater erosion from the 20th century. A 5-centimeter chip in the bronze on the statue’s left sandal identifies a specific point of shrapnel impact from 1944.

Surrounding Environmental Context

The National Museum of History and Archaeology forms the western boundary of the square. The House with Lions, a notable Pre-Romantic and Genovese architectural site, is located 150 meters to the south.

Vegetation is limited to Tilia cordata (Small-leaved Lime) trees planted along the northern walkway. The Carol I Mosque is situated 200 meters to the west on Arhiepiscopiei Street.