Discover Mărașu: Lakes, Wetlands and Church History

Lake Blasova is located in Mărașu, in the central-eastern part of Insula Mare a Brăilei and near the village of Mărașu. Its area covers approximately 250–300 hectares, although this varies depending on the Danube's water level.

Nature

Balta Mică a Brăilei Nature Park is a protected wetland of international importance in category V. Since 15 June 2001, the wetland has been protected as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Brațul Măcin has the status of a Site of Community Importance (SCI) and extends across the administrative area of Mărașu. The protected area includes eight natural habitats. Lake Zăton is located near Mărașu and Băndoiu. The lake and its surroundings feature abundant aquatic vegetation; conditions exist there for fish reproduction, while migratory birds find shelter. The protection designations describe different levels of the same landscape: Balta Mică a Brăilei is listed as a wetland of international importance, while Brațul Măcin is an SCI protected area within the administrative area of Mărașu. The eight natural habitats explicitly belong to the Brațul Măcin protected area. At Zăton, the abundant aquatic vegetation, the conditions for fish reproduction and the shelter for migratory birds add specific features of the aquatic environment.

Water

Access to Balta Mică a Brăilei Nature Park is exclusively by water. One of the Danube's branches is crossed by boat. When you visit the nature park, this boat trip is part of the designated access route. Kayaking trips are among the recreational activities in the area around Mărașu. For visitors, access is therefore clearly tied to the waterways: the nature park is entered via a branch of the Danube and the subsequent boat trip.

Getting Around

D.J. 212A connects Mărașu with the transition from the dike in the direction of Brăila. On the section between Mărașu and the transition, 43 km are paved. The remaining section of D.J. 212A is gravel. For your journey towards Brăila, you can take both road surfaces into account.

Culture

The Church of the Holy Emperors Constantine and Helena is the successor building to an old wooden chapel. Local residents built this chapel in the first half of the 19th century. The present building is constructed of brick and stone and has a hipped roof. A central tower and arcades are also part of its design. Neoclassically inspired surrounds complement the architectural execution. The church's patronal feast is celebrated every year on 21 May. It attracts worshippers from across Insula Mare a Brăilei as well as from the neighboring villages. The church's history thus extends from a local wooden chapel in the first half of the 19th century to the present brick-and-stone building. The hipped roof, central tower, arcades and neoclassically inspired surrounds are among the explicitly mentioned architectural features. The patronal feast on 21 May adds an annual recurring date when worshippers come from Insula Mare a Brăilei and the neighboring villages.

To the overarching travel overview: Marasu.