Callatis Archaeological Museum

Museum documenting 2,600 years of settlement at Callatis, including Greek, Roman and Byzantine finds

The Callatis Archaeological Museum in the centre of Mangalia documents the remarkably long history of settlement on this site — from Thracian prehistory through Greek colonisation, Roman rule, and the Byzantine period up to the Ottoman conquest. The collections include Greek inscriptions, pottery, coins, jewellery, and sculpture, plus a reproduction of the mosaic floor found in the ancient necropolis.

Visible outside, embedded in the modern streetscape, are sections of the ancient Greek city walls and the remains of early Christian basilicas. The museum provides the best context for these fragmentary ruins, which can otherwise be difficult to interpret without background knowledge. A visit of an hour or so is adequate, and the museum is well priced.

things to do museum
A story
Callatis was founded as a colony by Heraclea Pontica (on the Black Sea coast of modern Turkey) in the 6th century BC and became one of the most prosperous Greek cities on the western Black Sea coast. It minted its own coins, maintained its independence against both Macedonian and later Roman pressure longer than most Black Sea colonies, and had a continuous urban life that lasted until the early medieval period. The modern resort town sits directly on top of it.