Dobruja Day in Romania Date in the current year: November 14, 2024

Dobruja (also spelled Dobrudja) is a historical region located in the north of the Balkan Peninsula. It includes the Danube Delta, which gives the region a strategic importance. Because of this, Dobruja used to be the subject of territorial disputes between several states. Today, the territory of Dobruja is divided between Romania (Northern Dobruja) and Bulgaria (Southern Dobruja).

During the ancient times, the region that roughly corresponds to Dobruja was known as Mikra Skythia (Scythia Minor or Lesser Scythia). At various points in history, it was controlled by Greece, the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the First Bulgarian Empire, and the Second Bulgarian Empire. In 1322, Dobruja split from Bulgaria and became a quasi-independent polity known as the Despotate of Dobruja or the Principality of Karvuna. About seven decades later, Dobruja was conquered by the Ottoman Empire.

Following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in the Russo-Turkish war of 1877–78, Dobruja was divided between the Russian Empire and the newly established Principality of Bulgaria according to the Treaty of San Stefano. Russia, in its turn, ceded Northern Dobruja to Romania in exchange for Southern Bessarabia and as a sign of gratitude for Romania’s assistance during the war.

Northern Dobruja was ceded to Romania by the Treaty of Berlin signed on July 13, 1878. However, it took several months to formally incorporate it into the Kingdom of Romania, and Northern Dobruja officially became part of Romania on November 14, 1878. Today, the territory of Northern Dobruja forms two Romanian counties, Tulcea and Constanța. Its largest cities are Tulcea, Constanța, Mangalia and Medgidia.

Dobruja Day was officially established by the Parliament of Romania in 2015. It is an official observance, but it isn’t a public holiday. Dobruja Day is marked with various cultural and educational events.