Inside The Once-Majestic Casino That Was Left As A Ghostly Shell On The Shores Of The Black Sea

On the shores of the Black Sea, an opulent casino serves as a glittering playground for the European elite. But less than 100 years later it will stand empty and abandoned, its lofty ceilings echoing with the beat of pigeons’ wings. So what happened to the pride of Constanţa, and why was it left to crumble into decay?

During its heyday, the Constanta Casino in southeast Romania welcomed the highest echelons of society through its doors. Perched on a pier above the sea, it was once considered on a par with the famous venues of Monte Carlo in far-off Monaco. But for decades now it has been deserted – an eerie relic from a bygone age.

Once ringing with the rattle of the roulette wheel and the clink of glasses, Constanta Casino has been silent for years. And yet its arched windows and sweeping terraces still loom over the city streets. Do passersby ever wonder at the haunting secrets hiding within? Well, thanks to some plucky adventurers, we can now see the abandoned interior in all its glory.

And yet the casino that dominates the Constanţa waterfront was not actually the first to be built on that site. According to historians, the original structure was erected back in the late 19th century, an early building project after the region passed from the Ottomans to Romania in 1878. But unlike the modern building, this one was made entirely of wood.

Constructed in 1880, this early casino boasted a dance hall and reading rooms, as well as the more traditional gaming areas. Meanwhile, on the exterior, two terraces wrapped around the building, providing visitors with a commanding view of the Black Sea below. But the site didn’t exactly have much luck early on.