The wide Danube river meets you again in the Silistra province. Your first stop is the **Srebarna** Nature Reserve which is a massive freshwater lake right next to the river. You can visit the museum and use the telescopes to see the **rare Dalmatian pelicans** that nest in the floating reed islands. This lake is a vital rest stop for birds flying from Europe to Africa twice a year. It is a quiet and beautiful spot where the only sound is the flapping of wings and the rustle of the reeds. Drive into the city of **Silistra** to explore the Medzhidi Tabia which is a perfectly preserved Ottoman fortress. You can walk through the thick stone tunnels and see the rooms where soldiers lived during the many wars for the river. The fortress sits on a hill and offers a clear view across the water into Romania. The walls are still in great shape and the grassy interior is a peaceful place for a walk. It is a fantastic example of nineteen century military engineering that you can explore at your own pace. The drive follows the riverbank where the land is flat and the soil is rich with history. You can find the ruins of the Roman city **Durostorum** hidden right under the modern streets of the town. Visit the local park along the river to see the ancient stone remains and enjoy the shade of the willow trees. The sunset over the Danube here is spectacular as the water turns into a sheet of gold. This province is a calm and scenic end to a journey through the northern borderlands.

Silistra (province) highlights

Part of these road trips

Follow the routes that cross this destination

The Scenic Route

The Heritage Drive

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History of Silistra (province)

Silistra is the **Ancient Durostorum**. Founded by the Romans as a legionary camp in the 2nd century AD, it became one of the most important military capitals of the **Moesia Inferior** province. Emperor Marcus Aurelius visited the city, and it was the birthplace of the famed Roman general **Flavius Aetius**, the **Last of the Romans**. The city Roman tomb, featuring 4th century murals of the master and his servants, is one of the best preserved in Europe. The province is home to the **Srebarna Nature Reserve**, a protected lake on the Danube. This wetland is a remnant of the **Great Marsh** that once covered the riverbank, and it is a critical nesting site for the rare **Dalmatian Pelican**. The history of Silistra is a story of living on the edge of the empire, guarded by the **Medzhidi Tabia**, an Ottoman fortress built in the 1840s that remains in perfect condition today. A road trip through Silistra offers a look at the **Northern Border**. You can explore the underground passages of the forts, visit the **Tutrakan Fisherman Quarter** to see the history of the Danube river craft, or see the water lilies at **Maluk Preslavets**. It is a province of slow moving river energy and ancient military grit, where the **Danube** is so wide it feels like a sea.

Silistra (province)