More

The oldest inhabitancy traces on the locality's territory are from the Gaeto-Dacian period (IV - III B.C.).

At the northeast from the village, the archaeological investigations revealed a Roman rural settlement from II-IV A.D. In the center of the village a Roman aqueduct was identified and at the north and northwestern part, on a large surface, ruins of villae rusticae and Roman necropolis were found.

The village is surrounded by a wall (named "Valul lui Traian" - Traian's wall or "Troian" by the inhabitants), 27 km long, which closes a surface of about 50 km². Some earth works (bearings), also surrounded by walls, is present inside the wall. In the absence of methodical investigations, the wall has been dated differently, beginning with IV A.D. until XI - XII A.D. As consequence, it has been attributed to the Romans, proto-Bulgarians or Byzantines.

The Palaeo-Christian Monument, situated at the north-eastern part of the locality, at the foot of the summit "Piatra Roşie", was discovered in 1971 and investigated for many years. The monument consists of a basilica built at the time of the Roman emperors Valens and Valentinianus and rebuilt at the time of Theodosius II, above a monumental Paleo-Christian crypt. The crypt, covered by a hemispherical cupola with pendants, outwardly framed by tympana, sheltered two superposed martyrs' graves. At the inferior level two skeletons of martyrs whose names are unknown were found. At the superior level, four martyrs skeletons, whose names (Zotikos, Attalos, Kamasis and Philippos) and martyrs quality - Martyres hristou - are noted on the crypt's walls were found. The monument was restored and conserved. A protective construction was built above it.

"Sfântul Atanasie" Church, discovered in 1974, was raised in the first half of XIV century as feudal court church. Its initial sizes were 11.5 x 6.5 m and it presented a semicircular chancel with semi-calotte. In the first decades of XV century the church ceased its activity. At the beginning of XVI century it was returned to the worship serving the parish community of the region. At the same time, first changes were made: the western limit of the narthex was extended with 1.3 m and the apse wall was remade. During XVII century the narthex has been 1m once again enlarged 1m through the west. Around the year 1880, the last changes were made: the wall dividing the naos and the narthex was partly demolished and replaced with an archway; the framework and the cover were remade; at the western extremity a wood steeple was added.

The church with trefoiled plan was discovered at 3 km far from the village, at the point named "Cetăţuia". Built in XI - XII centuries or, in others opinions, at the beginning of XIII century, this constituted, very probable, the church of a monastery; only the bricks and Roman tiles foundations, some of them with the stamp of the legion I Iovia Scytica, reused, are kept. It is the oldest church of this type in our country.

In the village vicinity, the picturesque landscape is the location of three monasteries:
Cocoş Monastery - founded in 1883 by Transylvanian monks Visarion Gherontie and Isaiia at their return from Athos Mountain with the expenses of the shepherd Nicolae Hagi Ghiţă Poenaru. Subsequently, the big church was built. After 1878, the present spires and the belfry were added. In the basement of the church, a printing works for cult books functioned. At the beginning of XX century both the church and the pavilions with cells were remade following the plans of the architect Toma Rădulescu. The church was painted by F.D. Biasse, excepting the porch which was painted by the local iconographer Geo Cardas. The western pavilion is built in the specific Romanian architectural style and it is declared architectonic monument. The monastery also contains a museum which numerous and rare cult books has been collected from all Tulcea County parishes.

Celic-Dere Monastery - situated between the villages Poşta and Teliţa, on the Cilic Valley, was built as nuns' monastery at the middle of XIX century. It has the aspect of a village with spread households. The most special are the abbess' house, the house which shelters the museum of ecclesiastic art and the church. This last one which actual look is due to the architect Toma Dobrescu and dates from the beginning of XX century. It is one of the few Romanian stored cult buildings with a winter church at the semi-basement and a summer church at the ground floor. The monastery museum is placed in the former workshop for religious painting and carpets weaving. It possesses an important treasure of cult objects. Among them 43 church books printed between 1643 and 1843 with "Bucharest Bible" (printed in 1688) as the most valuable can be mentioned. In the monastery courtyard a wind mill - architectonic monument is present.

Saon Monastery - nuns' monastery, founded as Celic-Dere Monastery hermitage in 1864. It became independent monastery in 1881. The complex consists of the church, the chapel, the cells and a wind mill. The church "Înălţarea Domnului", founded by the Low Danube Bishop, Nifon, was elevated in 1912.

The presence of numerous cult places and of the monasteries as well as the name "Monastire" (Monastery) which denominated the village on the medieval and modern maps until XIX century, demonstrate that this settlement constituted an important religious centre.

On other side, the ancient and medieval vestiges discovered on the village territory prove an intense inhabitancy continued also under the Ottoman domination by a Romanian population which main occupation was the viticulture. The vineyards from Sarica and Bădila, planted on the lands with volcanic origin, give wine with special qualities, recognized at the national and international level.

The historical sources of the commune mention that in 1760 the Polish merchants bought wine from Niculiţel. In fact, during the Ottoman domination, despite the interdictions required by the Moslem religion, the wine from Niculiţel was shipped in the harbor Isaccea in order to be transported to Constantinople.