It was the crown jewel of Romania’s “Monte Carlo”; a pearl watching over the Black Sea where royalty and the elite flocked from all over Europe and wealthy travellers spoke of it around the world, recounting stories of their extravagant gambling escapades at the Casino Constanta. It’s unmistakable art deco shapes and lines are still in tact, and from afar, it could almost appear as if it might have some life in it still. But French photographer Romain Veillon leads us right through the front door with his lens to show us that the roulettes are no longer spinning here at the Casino Constanta and the last cards of Baccarat have been dealt long ago…
Commissioned by King Carol 1st, the casino was originally built between 1904 and 1910 by architect Petre Antonescu, a Romanian who wanted to pay homage to his country’s artistic traditions, but these plans were scrapped in favour of an Art Nouveau palace for the Belle Epoque by a Swiss architect. With its lavish Rococo décor, and shell-shaped windows, the casino became the symbol of the city, and a twin building was even erected in Monte Carlo. In its glory days, the casino of Romania’s most important port and oldest still populated city, was a huge attraction for the world’s wealthiest elite, luring gamblers and socialites away from the French riviera.
But then came the war. And then a second war. Both plunged the Romanian economy into crisis and profoundly altered the face of Romania. Little by little, visitors deserted the Black Sea resort and the casino dwindled. After serving as a hospital during WWII, the casino had lost its sparkle and become a restaurant during the Soviet occupation. In 1990, the building was so dilapidated that it had become too expensive to refurbish it and it finally closed.
Can you picture Mr. Bond ordering a Martini at this ghostly bar?
You can almost smell the cigar smoke and hear the ghostly whispers of tense onlookers surrounding a high stakes card table…
A photograph of the Casino’s restaurant in 1900 ↑
The Constanta’s terrace ↑
But surely such a majestic place can’t just be left to rot away forever?
Vintage postcards of the casino in better days…
In recent years, the casino changed hands amongst numerous investors, who all failed to finance a restoration after a takeover from the Constanta Municipality. It might also be worth noting that the mayor of the city is currently under arrest for corruption. There are now rumours however that renovation work may begin again soon…
The European Union reportedly granted 10 million euros in 2013 to see the “pearl of Constanta” open for business once again. Works are expected to begin in the fall of 2015 and take about two to three years to complete.
Here’s to ordering a Martini, shaken not stirred, at the Casino Constanta some time in the near future. Ladies and gentlemen, place your bets on its fate…
Discover the full photo story by Romain Veillon.
