Malcoci

Going by car from Tulcea to Murighiol or Dunavatul de Jos, the first village you’ll run into is Malcoci.

[adsense]The village was founded in 1843 by 25 German families, making it the first of a number of villages founded by German colonists in Dobrogea, led by Ignatiu Hoffart.

They called the place Malkotsch.

They were not coming from Germany, but rather from Moldova and Transnistria, part of the Russian Empire at the time.

Back then, Dobrogea was not yet part of Romania, so these people were the only German population living under the rule of the Ottoman Empire.

Following the Turkish laws, they contributed greatly to the development of Dobrogea. They were autonomous, free to go about their business; their only obligation was to pay their taxes.

After the Romanian Independence War and the reunification of Dobrogea with the home country, in many German settlements, Romanian war heroes were given land. In many of thee villages, Romanian mayors were put in office.

Although some Germans left Malcoci and other places, most of them continued to live and prosper here until 1940.

That year around 16000 people from all over Dobrogea were forced to relocate in Germany, under the Heim ins Reich program. Only about 1600 Germans remained.

The Church in Malcoci

There are a few buildings that still stand as a testament of the hundred years that the Germans lived here.

None is more imposing than the Catholic church which stands tall and is visible from every point in the village.

Unfortunately, time has left its mark and the church is nowadays abandoned, with the roof collapsed and the cross on the tower tilted at 60%… a very sad picture, especially given the historic significance of the place.

[adsense]There were talks about renovating the building, or at least the tower, using sponsorships or funds from the Government. A precise date was not set yet.

What’s really disturbing is the fact that a couple of years ago, they did start some consolidation works, but those doing it were so retarded that the whole roof of the church collapsed, together with a good portion of the right wall…

What a shame…

[Short update]

I was recently back in Malcoci with some friends and this time I had to get closer. Well, I was sad to see that the cross on the tower also fell to the side.

With my extensive expertise on the matter ;), I concluded that the faulty consolidation attempts were the cause. What a bunch of idiots!

A heavy concrete block which was supposed to help keep the church in place collapsed pulling after it the whole roof and parts of the right wall.

When I got there, there was a woman and some kids inside trying to make the most of it and collect the wood under the ruble to get ready for the winter.

I got up the shaky stair and went up the tower which was now packed with pidgeons. Maybe it was the curse of the Germans or something, but one of the pigeons actually pooped on me!

Haha. I even rang the bell which sounded awesome!

There was an inscription on the bell, but I didn’t manage to really get it.. As far as I could understand, it was a donation made in 1975 by the old German villagers of Malcoci, after 35 years of their departure.