Located on the Black Sea coast, near the border with Bulgaria, Vama Veche was founded in 1811 by a few Gagauz families, originally being named Ilanlîk. Its current name literally means "Old border checkpoint", named so after Southern Dobruja (the Cadrilater) had been included in Romania in 1913. In 1940, however, that region was returned to Bulgaria, and the village has since lain once again near the border, but the name stuck.
Even in Communist Romania, Vama Veche had the reputation of a non-mainstream tourist destination. It became a hangout for intellectuals, and the repressive regime of Nicolae Ceauşescu chose to tolerate this countercultural oasis. Accommodations consisted of tents or rooms rented from peasants or fishermen. Since the late 1990s, Vama Veche has experienced development and gentrification, which has led to a "Save Vama Veche" campaign that is lobbying for the area's environmental conservation.
About the stamp
The stamp is part of the third set of a very extensive series, entitled Romanian Pottery, about which I wrote here.
References
Vama Veche - Wikipedia
Sender: Dănuţ Ivănescu
Sent from 2 Mai (Constanţa / Romania), on 06.09.2011
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