We spent the day in the Old Town of Constanţa (pronounced Constantza). Among others, we visited the Great Mosque of Constanţa, originally known as Carol I Mosque. It was a gift from the Romanian King, King Carol I, to the Muslims who lived in Constanţa. Construction began in 1910, and was completed in 1913. We climbed the minaret, and the view was amazing.

After dinner, on our way to the bus stop, Kenric pointed out another minaret. I had taken a few photos when I realized the gate was just closed, not locked. I went (aka snuck) through the gate, and took a few more pictures of the exterior of the building, and of the “Monument Istoric” plaque. It said the Hunchiar “Aziziye” Mosque was built in 1868 by Sultan Abdul Aziz (an Ottoman Sultan).

I turned around, and a man was walking towards me. I was quite startled, and was afraid he would scold me for sneaking in. He put his right hand on his heart, and said “Assalamualaikum” (Peace be upon you). Still occupied by my guilty conscience, I was only able to muster up, “Salam”. He smiled, and walked past me.

I told myself, “You know better than that.” So I shouted, “Waalaikumsalam!” (And peace be upon you too). He turned around, smiled and waved, and went on to his Maghrib prayer (which I just found for Constanţa this evening was at 7:22).