2026 QSL series – June
RRI’s 2026 series of electronic QSLs captures the Casino in Constanța in different guises, a landmark building in Romania's most important Black Sea port and one of its biggest cities.
Eugen Cojocariu, 01.06.2026, 14:57
In 1916, with Romania’s entry into World War I, the function of the Casino changed radically. The luxurious building was transformed into a field hospital under the auspices of the Red Cross. The halls where balls used to be held became spaces dedicated to caring for soldiers wounded on the Dobruja front. Constanța was heavily bombed by enemy aviation and the fleet, and the Casino suffered significant damage. The building was hit by artillery shells, which led to the partial destruction of the facades and exterior decorations. Medical staff worked in extremely difficult conditions, under the constant threat of attacks. After the end of the conflict, the Casino required urgent repairs to be reopened to the public. The war era left deep marks, but the building’s load-bearing structure proved to be surprisingly robust. The monument remained standing as a symbol of the city’s survival and continuity. (EE)
