Tomb of a pirate, hidden in a Romanian cemetery. The mysterious story from Sulina

In the Maritime Cemetery of Sulina, Romania, lies the tomb of Ghiorghios Kontoguris, a Greek man from the island of Kefalonia, who local tradition holds was a pirate. The cemetery itself, established in the 19th century, serves as a testament to Sulina's diverse and cosmopolitan past as a significant port at the mouth of the Danube River.

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The tomb of the pirate is located in the Sulina Cemetery.

Sulina gained prominence in the 19th century, particularly after the establishment of the European Commission of the Danube in 1856. It became a vital hub for European trade and navigation, earning free port status in 1870. This era attracted sailors, merchants, and officials from various European nations, a diversity reflected in the cemetery's 1864 layout, which includes graves of Orthodox Christians, Lipovans, Protestants, Muslims, and Jews.

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According to the account published by the Călător în Bascheți website, Kontoguris lived in Sulina and was known in the community as a wealthy and philanthropic man.

Among the notable interments are British, Maltese, Danish, Italian, and Croatian sailors, as well as individuals connected to the European Commission of the Danube, including British engineer Sir Charles Hartley. However, the story of Ghiorghios Kontoguris stands out. Legend describes him as a wealthy and philanthropic resident of Sulina, known for attending social events. Yet, he is also rumored to have been a pirate, preying on ships near the coast, particularly those carrying spices and silk, with a portion of his illicit gains allegedly given to the poor.

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It is said that he particularly targeted goods such as spices and silk, and part of the money obtained would have been given to the poor.

Local lore suggests Kontoguris employed an unusual method to lure ships closer to shore: at night, he would place lanterns on oxen and walk them along the coast. The distant lights, resembling a settlement, would mislead navigators. His tomb is marked with the iconic skull and crossbones symbol, commonly associated with pirates, and a laurel-decorated cross. The narrative surrounding his death claims he was executed for piracy by Ottoman authorities, adding a dramatic end to his mysterious life.

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At night, he would place lanterns on the necks of oxen and walk them along the shore. From a distance, the lights could be mistaken for those of a settlement, and navigators would thus be misled.