The city of Braşov retains keeps its medieval flavour due to its narrow streets, and old churches.
The city of Braşov lies in the crook of the Carpathians in the central part of Romania, 160km north of Bucharest. Founded in the 13th century by the Teutonic knights, it was first known under the name Kronstadt (the city of the crown). The old part of the city still retains its medieval flavour due to its narrow streets, ramparts and many old churches.
Braşov developed as a commercial and artisan centre during the 14th century. It was protected by a 3 km long, 2 metre wide and 12 metre high wall. Today only the North part of the wall and a series of gates and bulwarks are preserved, including the Weavers’ Bulwark (the largest in the country). As in other Transylvanian cities, the architecture was influenced by the Romanian, German, Hungarian and Jewish population.
Council Square (Piaţa Sfatului)
The Council Square in the heart of the old city was the place for fairs during the Middle Ages. This was where merchants from the Romanian provinces, Hungary and beyond came together to trade their wares. The picturesque Council House (Casa Sfatului), built in 1420, initially served as a watch tower. It was reconstructed in its current form after several fires; in 1780 it was used as the town hall and from 1950 it housed the County History Museum. The Orthodox Cathedral “The Dormition of the Mother of God” attracts the tourist’s eye among the buildings located around the square. Republicii Street, a pedestrian street full of shops, restaurants and terraces starts at the East corner of the square. The square stages open air concerts and events like the international pop music festival the Golden Stag.
The Black Church
The huge evangelical church in the centre of Braşov was built towards the end of the 14th century. Initially known as Saint Mary’s Church, the building is the largest Gothic church in south-eastern Europe and it can hold up to 5,000 people. A huge fire broke out in 1689 which devastated the city. The walls of the church were blackened with smoke and ever since it has been called the Black Church. It is a Gothic structure comprising three equal height storeys. The arches destroyed during the 1689 fire were rebuilt in the Baroque style. Inside the church there is you can find the heaviest bell in Romania (six tons), mural paintings in the Italian Renaissance style and a 4000 tube organ. Organ concerts have been held here since 1953.
Şcheii District
The Şcheii District is an old Romanian neighbourhood, full of narrow, cobbled streets and red roof houses dating from the 17th century. The Romanian Orthodox Church “Saint Nicholas” founded in 1292 was built in stone in 1495 by the local people with the help of the Wallachian ruler Neagoe Basarab. The Romanian school built nearby was another important spiritual and cultural centre for the Romanian people living here. The importance of the centre was increased after the arrival of Coresi, a master printer who began to print church books in Romanian during the middle of the 16th century.
The Black Church is a Gothic basilica comprising three equal height storeys. The arches destroyed during the 1689 fire were rebuilt in the Baroque style.
The Rope Street is one of the narrowest streets in Europe, only 1.32 metres and 83 metres long.
Poiana Braşov
Poiana Braşov, the largest ski resort in Romania, is just 12 kilometres from the centre of Braşov. The resort has been used for skiing since the 19th century and in 1906 the first ski contest was organized. Up to 1950 Poiana Braşov had no more than a few chalets. However, in 1951 the World University Winter Games were held here and on this occasion a hotel and the first cable railway, measuring over 2,000 metres, were commissioned. Poiana Braşov now has 12 ski slopes of various levels, sports grounds, a lake, clubs, pubs and restaurants. Tourists can stay in luxury hotels, boarding houses, villas or chalets. The resort is also popular for conferences.
