Brasov Romania. Brasov is a disappointing city. Brasov historical and modern
The Romanian city of Brasov is located in the center of the country. This is the main and most Big city historical region of Tsara Birsei, one of ancient cities countries with centuries-old history. Among its fifteen districts, the popular Carpathian ski resort Poiana Brasov. Today the city of 275 thousand is a significant economic center for the country.
More than four dozen large enterprises produce trucks and tractors, spare parts for them, electrical cables, cement, fabrics, food and other products.
There are many sights of different historical periods surrounded by amazing Carpathian nature. All this attracts thousands of Romanian and foreign tourists here, who are greeted with hospitality and attention. local residents.
In 1559, in order to strengthen the defense of the city, a gate was built, which received the name of the monastery of St. Catherine that once stood on this site. This structure with the Brasov coat of arms above the entrance has three floors and four small turrets at the corners.
They are symbols of the city's legal independence and the right to impose the death penalty. This was the only entrance to the city that the Romanians living behind the fortress wall could use at that time. Today there is a museum here.
In the 19th century, due to an increase in traffic flow through the city, a gate was built, which received the name of the surrounding area. Their construction began by order of the Austrian Emperor Francis I, who was passing through Brasov. The gate is built in a classical style with three spans and resembles a triumphal arch. Vehicles moved through the largest span, pedestrians moved through others. After their construction, passage through the nearby Catherine Gate was closed.
This high picturesque mountain above Brasov has long served the ancestors of the Romanians and Roman legionnaires as a place of worship of their gods. Most of it is a nature reserve.
Local residents and tourists love to climb to the observation deck located at the top to admire the city and its surroundings. To overcome a mountain path with many sharp turns surrounded by beautiful nature it takes an hour. You can get there in a few minutes in a comfortable cable car cabin.
Among the picturesque Carpathian mountains in the vicinity of Brasov is the Peles Palace, named after the river flowing underneath it. Its construction began at the end of the 19th century and was completed at the beginning of the next.
The castle's exquisite architecture masterfully mixes different styles. The interiors of the palace are a collection of high-quality works of art. These include carved furniture, doors and ceilings, numerous works of art, unique collections of weapons and utensils. The castle is surrounded by a huge luxurious park.
This clifftop castle is often named after Dracula. There is a legend that the famous commander Vlad Tepes-Dracula often hunted in the surrounding mountains and spent the night here.
The castle is famous for the fact that in the Middle Ages it was built by local residents at their own expense in exchange for exempting them from taxes for several centuries. It has four levels, numerous halls and corridors, which are mysterious labyrinths. At the beginning of the 20th century, residents of the town of Bran gave the castle to the Romanian Queen Maria, who established a royal residence in it.
Location: Strada General Traian Moșoiu - 24.
A twenty-minute drive from Brasov is the city of Rasnov with a population of 16 thousand. He is famous impregnable fortress, which was built in 1215 by the knights of the Teutonic Order.
According to one legend, when there was an acute shortage of water in the city, two previously captured Turks were forced to dig a well. After this they were promised to be released. However, when the well is deep 62 meters was dug up and the prisoners were killed. During the last years Excavations at the bottom of the well revealed the bones of two people.
In 1495 on small area The first school building in Romania was built next to the Church of St. Nicholas. The teachers there were priests who served in the church. Today a local priest also gives a fascinating tour of this school.
Here you can see a rich collection of ancient books and other unique masterpieces of Romanian culture. The first Romanian grammar appeared in this place, and the first books in Romanian were printed. The museum houses the original first Russian-language Bible, printed by Ivan Fedorov.
Location: Piata Unirii 2-3.
It is installed in a small well-groomed square with an abundance of flowers, called the Park of Heroes. Symbolizes the events that took place in Romania in 1987. Then thousands of workers and city residents protested against wage delays and mass layoffs. To suppress the riot, significant police and security forces were brought into the city. The uprising was brutally suppressed. Dozens of people died. Such actions led to the removal from power and execution of dictator Ceausescu. The monument resembles a huge memorial basket with flowers.
This modern ski resort is one of the districts of Brasov. It became a winter resort at the beginning of the 20th century. International and national winter sports competitions are held here, for which excellent conditions and modern infrastructure have been created.
Today it's respectable resort place with fashionable hotels, expensive restaurants, luxury villas, nightclubs and other entertainment.
The decoration of the Old Town in Brasov is the Town Hall Square. In its center is the medieval town hall building with a very beautiful clock tower. It houses the city museum.
The square is surrounded by perfectly preserved buildings built in past centuries. Today there are many shops, cafes and souvenir shops. A very beautiful Orthodox cathedral was erected on the square in 1896, where wedding ceremonies are performed on Saturdays.
The narrowest street in the city in Romanian sounds like “Strada Sforii”, which means “Rope Street”. Its greatest width is 135 cm, and at its bottleneck– 111 cm. The length of the street is 80 meters.
It was built in the Middle Ages as a special passage for firefighters. Like an ordinary street, it is covered with paving stones. The windows of some houses overlook it. IN dark time illuminated by lanterns. At the beginning of the 21st century it was restored and is an interesting tourist attraction.
St. Mary's Lutheran Church, often called the Black Church, is the largest Gothic-style structure in the country. It was built in the Middle Ages by the Saxons who lived in Transylvania. Saint Mary is considered the heavenly patron of the city.
The church received the name “Black” after a fire. The length of the temple is 89 meters and the width is 38 meters. The only bell tower is 65 meters high. It contains a bell unique to Romania, weighing six tons. The church has a German-made organ with four thousand pipes. The interiors are richly decorated.
Location: Curtea Johannes Honterus - 1.
This Gothic-style Romanian Orthodox church was built in the Middle Ages. The Russian Empress Elizaveta Petrovna donated funds to him for the construction of a clock tower, chapel and narthex.
Catherine II donated icons, religious objects made of valuable metals, church books and cash. The Church of St. Nicholas was eventually rebuilt in Baroque style. Its interior features a richly decorated iconostasis and frescoes by the famous Romanian artist Misu Popa.
Location: Piața Unirii - 1.
This very beautiful structure, which is often called a high tower, was attached to the city hall building in the Middle Ages. At first it was called a watchtower or a tower of trumpeters, who gave a signal in case of danger.
With its 48-meter height, it dominates the low buildings of the Old Town. Today, the clock tower is an important landmark in the city. When darkness falls, it is romantically illuminated.
Historical center of Brasov.
In the city of Brasov, Romania // aguzinb.livejournal.com
The road from Sibiu to Brasov is unremarkable and faceless, just about two hours and you are in Brasov. By Romanian standards, and not only that, Brasov is a large city - 277 thousand inhabitants.
The first thing that catches your eye is the dirt and disorganization. A huge crowd of taxi drivers, shouting and fussing, is trying to fool visitors, unerringly catching strangers. Prices are above the ceiling in the naive hope of a fool. I pass several bawling enthusiasts, immediately reduce the requested amount by three times and calmly leave.
Walls of Old Brasov with observation tower.
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Don’t believe anyone that Brasov is the Romanian Salzburg, they are similar, like the wives of the mayors of Muhosransk and Windsor. Completely unattractive, poorly built new town with a silent reproach, it haunts you all the way, right up to the historical center, which, like shagreen leather, has shrunk catastrophically. Unsettledness, abandonment, disadvantage, despondency, devastation - these are the feelings that arise spontaneously and are difficult to overcome.
The remains of the Old Town are small, but fairly well preserved, more in spite of than according to someone's good will.
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Conventionally, with a stretch, I would define it in a circle from the White Church to the City Hall along Eroilor Boulevard. From the same boulevard begins a pedestrian street leading directly to the heart of the Old Town - Republicii. Past the Black Church to the Church of St. Nicholas and the base of Mount Timpa with the Hollywood inscription "Brasov".
Whatever they say, both in size and condition it is much less impressive than the “old town” of Sibiu or Sighisoara. All this is still accompanied by some kind of unkemptness, as if the city authorities do not care about this.
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Along the base of Mount Tympa there are remains of a fortress wall and several watchtowers, but they are practically not used as tourist sites. Along the mountain and on the mountain a beautiful forest has been preserved, partially converted into a very beautiful but neglected park that requires cleaning and maintenance. The Black Church is impressive - the Church of St. Mary with a wonderful organ, which regularly hosts excellent concerts. The Church of St. Nicholas is beyond all praise, the most beautiful church of many that I have seen.
Entrance gate, Church of St. Nicholas.
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Church of St. Nicholas (Romanian: Biserica Sfântul Nicolae) - Romanian Orthodox Church in Brasov, in the historical district of Shkei.
Church of St. Nicholas in Brasov, Romania // aguzinb.livejournal.com
Brasov has a very beautiful synagogue, built at the beginning of the 20th century.
It must be emphasized that the Romanians are very tolerant and even in the most troubled and harsh times, Antonescu and Ceausescu did not incite religious wars.
On the hill dominating Brasov, it is well preserved old citadel, built in the 16th century. The fortress is difficult to get to, but worth it.
Entrance to the citadel.
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In a good condition central square of the Old Town and its surrounding buildings, in the Town Hall building is located historical Museum with an interesting exhibition. There is also a beautiful old Orthodox church here. Everything as a whole creates the illusion of a functioning medieval city. On the square and surrounding streets there are numerous cafes and restaurants, with a wide variety of cuisines to suit every taste. The prices are very reasonable, and the quality is comparable to any European one.
There are a lot of different boutiques and shops, as well as various souvenirs.
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In general, what is striking in Romania is the complete absence, excuse the intolerance, of any rabble, both local and alien, so characteristic of, say, France, Italy, Spain, England and that appeared in Germany. I’m just keeping quiet about Athens - this is Africa. To be honest, not only are homeless people and drunks not visible, even the gypsies, whom everyone mentions, do not stand out as anything special, there are no beggars and wretches. There are no hooligans or brawlers to be seen, no crowds of teenagers whose appearance would inspire fear.
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Romania is transforming - this is obvious, but Brasov, unlike its neighbors Sibiu and Sighisoara, shows how much depends on citizens and those who lead citizens. Disappointment is the feeling you experience when you see missed opportunities, but hope is an indestructible feeling inherent in a person, which does not allow him to calm down, which makes him look for new ones. better ways to a decent life, based on the historical experience of our ancestors.
Old stream.
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Forest near Mount Tempa.
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An ancient well in the citadel.
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In the old forest.
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View of the Black Church.
Black Church in Brasov, Romania // aguzinb.livejournal.com
Black Church.
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Pedestrian street Republicii in Brasov.
Republicii street in Brasov, Romania // aguzinb.livejournal.com
Orthodox Church on the old main square of Brasov.
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Synagogue in Brasov.
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In the Brasov Synagogue.
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Primaria Brasov.
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White church.
In the vicinity of Brasov, the ski resort Poiana Brasov (12 km), Predeal (27 km), Bran (30 km), Rasnov (20 km), Prejmer, Fagaras and others are interesting. You can usually get to these places from the Autogara 2 bus station or the Bartolomeu area, or the Stadionul Municipal.
Search for air tickets to Bucharest (the nearest airport to Brasov)
Money
It is best to exchange money at large banks: BCR, BNR, BT (Bank of Transylvania) or Raiffeisen. They accept the main currencies of the world - EUR, American or Canadian dollars, British pounds, the staff is very friendly and speaks English. You must have a passport or driver's license with you.
If banks are closed, you can also exchange money in small exchange offices, of which there are many on the main pedestrian thoroughfare of Brasov - Republicii Street. However, you should be careful - they can cheat, deceive, and so on and so forth.
Transport Brasov
Public transport includes buses, trolleybuses (about 40 routes in total) and taxis. The fare is ~20 RON, on route No. 20, which goes to Poiana Brasov - 4 RON. A pass for all types of transport for a day (except taxis and No. 20) - 15 RON, a week - 30 RON, 10 days - 40 RON (using passes you must have a passport or any ID card with you).
Tickets must be purchased before boarding at special kiosks and punched directly at the cabin. Fine 100-200 RON. The only inconvenience is that there are not ticket kiosks at all stops (and some also have limited opening hours), so you will have to look for the nearest supermarket or newsstand.
The easiest way to get around the historical center is on foot: all the main attractions are within walking distance. You can also get to the hotel by taxi, the fare is low, ~2 RON per km.
Convenient parking is available in the very center of the city, on Eroilor Boulevard (2 RON per hour, Sunday free), as well as throughout the city. From the same boulevard begins a large pedestrian street of the city, leading directly to the heart of the old city - Republicii Street. It is where most of the city's restaurants, cafes and shops are located.
Prices on the page are as of September 2018.
Brasov Hotels
Perhaps the most pleasant place to stay is not in the city itself, but in Poiana Brasov, a ski resort 15 minutes drive from the center. In winter, here you can see not the most picturesque queues for the ski lift; in summer, on the contrary, there is silence, mountains, deserted streets and small chalet hotels. In addition, Pojana is located halfway to the castles in Bran and Rasnov.
Guides in Brasov
Entertainment and attractions in Brasov
The Gothic Black Church, whose walls acquired their color after the Austrian army almost completely burned the city in 1689. At the entrance there is a statue of Johannes Honterus, reformer, educator, follower of Martin Luther.
The Church of St. Bartholomew is the oldest monument in Brasov, built in 1223. Also: the Church of St. Nicholas, the first Romanian school (where you can sit at desks from the 19th century) and Catherine's Gate - one of the oldest original gates in Brasov.
There are several museums in the city: the Museum of History, the Museum of Ethnography, the Museum of Art and the Museum of the First School.
Nearby, 15 km from the city, is Rasnov, a fortress of the Teutonic Knights, which is now being restored from ruins.
Bran - Dracula's castle
Bran is the most tourist castle in Romania, better known as Dracula's castle. In fact, the real Dracula has little to do with it: he once spent a night here (according to another legend, he was imprisoned here for a couple of months). In reality, this castle is the summer residence of Queen Maria of Romania, the great-granddaughter of the British Queen Victoria. Currently, there is a museum of history and medieval art: furniture, collections of weapons and armor, as well as other interesting items from the 14th to 19th centuries.
How to get from Bucharest to Brasov and back by train, bus and minibus. Where is the best place to buy tickets and their cost?
Train Bucharest - Brasov
The train between these two cities is the fastest and most cheap way get there except for various promotions and buy tickets before the train departs. In Bucharest, trains depart from Bucuresti Nord Station and arrive at Central station Brasov.
Trains of two classes IR (InterRegio) and R (Regio) travel on this section of the railway. The fastest journeys are IR trains, starting from 2.5 hours, and the slowest, R trains, starting from 3.5 hours. The cost of tickets depends only on the class of train. Tickets for IR cost about 40-50 Lei (8.5-10€), and for R the ticket price is 24 Lei (5€).
It's cheaper to buy tickets online. When purchased on the website, tickets are 5% cheaper, and when purchased in advance, the discount reaches 20%.
The trains on this section are comfortable and are no longer as scary and murderous as according to reviews many years ago.
Bus Bucharest - Brasov
There are much fewer buses than trains between Bucharest and Brasov, but if you go directly from Bucharest airport, you have much more choice. Current schedule on the website.
There are two companies traveling from Bucharest to Brasov: Fany and Mementobus. Fany is a passing bus and it is not possible to buy tickets for it in advance. Mementobus sells tickets on the official website, both from the city and from the airport. The ticket price is 8.9€ from the city and 9.5€ from the airport.
In addition to Mementobus, the Direct company travels from Bucharest Airport to Brasov, which has 12 flights daily. Ticket price is 60-80 Lei (13-17€), tickets are on sale.
There are also a large number of illegal minibuses leaving from the airport. Perhaps their cost is lower, but departure occurs as the minibus fills up. The spontaneous parking of these minibuses is located behind the parking lot near the exit from the arrivals area.
I fell in love with Brasov at first sight; the city captivated me with its fabulous atmosphere and interesting story. The central part of Brasov, which includes Old city, to which the territory of Brasov was limited for a long time, is very small. It seems to me that you can walk around it endlessly, constantly discovering new details of ancient buildings and new remarkable restaurants and bars.
Brasov is located in the southeast of Transylvania, which for a long time belonged to the lands of the Hungarian crown, so the Hungarian influence is sometimes felt in the city. However, the history of Brasov and a significant part of its culture is connected with the German population. Brasov is the center of the historical region of Tsara-Birsei, which is also called Barcaság in Hungarian and Burzenland in German. The resettlement of Germans to this region began at the end of the 12th century, when the Hungarian king decided to attract German craftsmen. These settlers were called "Transylvanian Saxons". Despite the fact that the entire region in general, and Brasov in particular, the German population largely left after the Second World War, the historical influence is felt in modern city.
Like other Transylvanian geographical names Brasov has both a Hungarian and a German name. In Hungarian he calls it similar - Brassó, but its German name is . Brasov changed its name in the first years of the communist dictatorship. For ten years it was called Orașul Stalin, that is, Stalin's city.
Currently, Brasov ranks only eighth in terms of population among Romanian cities. However, it retains its importance in industrial terms. Brasov, thanks to its history and culture, has become an important tourist destination in recent years. According to my impression, in the last few years the city has been actively developing in tourist destination, buildings are being restored, interesting events are held and new establishments are opening.
How to get there
There are no direct connections between Moscow, St. Petersburg and Brasov vehicle except for the car. The 1,800-kilometer-long road trip, including overnight stays on the road, will take one and a half to two days. In my opinion, the most convenient way– fly by plane to one of the nearest Romanian airports (Sibiu) and from there take a bus. If you are afraid of flying, you can travel from Moscow by bus or train to Chisinau, and from there by bus to Brasov.
By plane
The airport in Brasov was supposed to be built by 2016, but so far the city still does not have an airport. Brasov is approximately equally distant at 150-200 kilometers from the airports of three other Romanian cities: Bucharest, Targu Mures and Sibiu. Of these, the best connection with Moscow and St. Petersburg is, of course, the airport in Bucharest (read about flights and prices in the corresponding section of the article about). But low-cost airlines fly to Targu Mures airport. For example, Wizz Air operates flights to from Budapest (on average, about 30 EUR). In turn, Wizz Air flies to from Moscow (about 50 EUR) and from St. Petersburg (about 70 EUR). Price options can be viewed.
From Bucharest, Sibiu or Targu Mures you can reach Brasov by bus or train.
By train
To get to Brasov from Moscow using exclusively railway transport, you will have to change seats at least twice. As noted above, you first need to get from Moscow to Chisinau. Unfortunately, Brasov and Chisinau do not have a direct railway connection and you will have to travel by train with a transfer through Bucharest. I think this option takes too much time. Taking into account transfers, the travel time will be almost 50 hours and will cost about 120 EUR.
Approximately 20 trains a day depart from Bucharest to Brasov between 6:00 and 22:00. Travel time and ticket price depend on the type of train. I prefer the fastest train, which takes two and a half hours to Brasov. Unfortunately, this train is also the most expensive. A one-way ticket costs approximately 11 EUR. The slowest train takes almost 4 hours, but a ticket costs only 5.3 EUR.
Brasov is also connected by rail to other Romanian cities in Transylvania, as well as to Hungarian cities (for example, Budapest) and Vienna. Personally, the journey even to Budapest seemed endlessly long to me, unlike the special fast train to, in other directions the trains are terribly slow. Detailed information Timetables and ticket prices can be found on the Romanian Railways website.
Brasov Railway Station (Gara Brașov, Bulevardul Gării 1A) is a pompous communist-era building. It is located three and a half kilometers from the Old Town. I usually get there on foot: there are only 3.5 km between the station and the Old Town, and you can walk there in 40-45 minutes. It is also possible to get there by buses No. 4 or No. 51. If you need to take a taxi, it is better to call it by phone or move a little further from the station (for information about the features of taxis in Brasov, see the “Taxi” section).
By bus
Unlike trains, there are direct buses between Brasov and Chisinau, which means you can get from Moscow by bus with only one transfer. The travel time will be about 45 hours, and the cost of this option is about 140 EUR. I tried the Chisinau - Brasov bus only once and was very dissatisfied with the age of the bus. So, when trying to travel by bus from Moscow, you should be prepared for anything.
Buses from Bucharest to Brasov take longer than high-speed train, due to the characteristics of the roads and terrain. Travel time will be 3 hours 30 minutes or 3 hours 45 minutes. At the same time, a bus ticket will cost more than a train ticket, which takes the same time (9 EUR). As for other cities with airports closest to Brasov, the bus from Sibiu takes 2-3 hours and the ticket costs about 6 EUR. The bus from Targu Mures goes about the same and costs a little more (6.5 EUR). Unlike trains to Bucharest, trains to Sibiu and Targu Mures are slower, so I recommend buses.
In addition to Romanian cities, Brasov is connected by bus to Hungarian, Austrian, German cities. Most international flights are operated by Eurolines.
In my opinion, the main difficulty of using intercity and international buses in Brasov is the presence of many bus stations. I advise you to carefully check when purchasing which bus the bus you want departs from. Most of them are located at a distance of 3-4 kilometers from the center. As in the case of the train station, taking a taxi near bus stations is also not worth it.
By car
From Moscow
The route to Brasov from Moscow is about 1,800 kilometers long, and the driving time itself will be about a day. However, it is better to plan at least one overnight stay along the way. A factor that can significantly increase travel time is crossing borders. On this route you will have to cross three state borders.
As you can see on the map, after Kyiv there are two route options: northern (via Balti) and southern (via Chisinau). I happened to go with both one and the other. In my opinion, the roads are better on the southern route. However, this route passes through the territory of Transnistria, which can significantly increase travel time due to the border crossing procedure. Therefore, in my opinion, it is optimal to prefer the northern route option.
In Moldova and Romania toll roads, so you will have to purchase a vignette. Moldovan costs 4 EUR, and Romanian – 3 EUR for 7 days. Be careful, unlike the Moldovan one, the Romanian vignette is not sold near border points. It can be purchased at gas stations (Rompetrol, Petrom and OMV) or ordered online.
From Saint-Petersburg
What are the prices for holidays?
In general, in terms of price level, Brasov is cheaper than Bucharest and other large Romanian cities. However, the tourism industry here is not so developed, so prices for some tourism services, including accommodation, are higher than one might expect.
Housing
A double room in a hotel in the Old Town will cost about 30 EUR in the cheapest option. The average cost of hotel rooms in the city is about 60 EUR. You can save money by renting an apartment or room through Airbnb. Brasov has a huge selection of excellent apartments in the very center for 25-30 EUR. The rooms are not much cheaper, about 20-25 EUR for options in the Old Town. Brasov has a large selection of hostels. For a place in a dormitory room you will have to pay approximately 10 EUR, and for a double room 20-25 EUR.
Nutrition
In Brasov low prices in cafes and restaurants. On average, lunch for two will cost 20 EUR. A cup of coffee costs about 1 EUR, as does a glass of beer. Groceries in supermarkets are inexpensive, but you can save even more by buying them at local markets.
Transport
Cheap travel in Brasov public transport and taxi services. However, you should be careful when using a taxi so as not to unknowingly pay a double or even triple fare.
Excursions
In this regard, Brasov has average prices. As mentioned above, the cost in the tourism sector is higher due to little competition. Therefore, participation in group excursion will cost 15-20 EUR, and individual excursions cost from 50 EUR. Everything related to Dracula is especially expensive (for example, excursions from Brasov to Bran Castle).
Clue:
Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things
Currency: Euro, € US Dollar, $ Russian Ruble, Rub Romanian Leu, lei
Main attractions. What to see
The main attractions of Brasov are concentrated in the Old Town area, which was originally the entire city, and the Shei area, which was a Bulgarian and later Romanian suburb. From the point of view of history and architecture, all of these areas are huge attractions.
Therefore, I advise you, when walking here, to carefully look at the details that ancient buildings can delight you with. My favorite pastime while walking around Brasov is trying to guess the cultural influences in the urban environment, which, with such an intersection of trends, is a whole puzzle.
In order to better understand the intricate history of Brasov, I advise you to take part in a free tour, which takes place every day, regardless of the weather. The group gathers at six in the evening near the fountain in the main square (Piata Sfatului). The tour lasts from two hours (sometimes two and a half hours) and includes the main attractions of both the Old Town and Shei.
Top 5
Old city
The main attraction of Brasov is its historical center, the Old Town. It is difficult for me to single out individual attractions from it, since the unique atmosphere of this place is made up of the combination of all its cobbled squares, narrow streets and ancient buildings. It is by walking here that you can feel the long and intense history of the city, as well as the intersection of cultural influences.
The most famous building here is the Black Church (Biserica Neagră), it will be discussed in the “Churches” section. Particularly popular with both tourists and local residents is Rope Street (Strada Sforii), which is one of the narrowest in Europe. It appeared in the 17th century and initially served as a fire corridor.
Shay (Șcheii Brașovului)
The historic district adjacent to the Old Town was once a suburb. However, it was initially inhabited mainly by ethnic Bulgarians, who were invited to the city at the end of the 14th century as skilled craftsmen to participate in the restoration of the city. By the 19th century, this population was almost completely Romanianized. For a long time, Shay was a rural suburb, its residents were prohibited from settling in the Old Town, and they had to pay a fee to enter it. Although Shay has long been a full-fledged part of the city, its semi-rural charm, low-rise buildings and proximity to nature still remain.
City Gate (Poarta Ecaterinei and Poarta Schei).
Historically fortified by the fortress, the Old Town had several suburbs, with which it was connected by border gates. Few gates have survived to this day; Catherine’s Gate and the Shei Gate are of particular interest to travelers. Catherine's Gate has existed since the 16th century. However, as a result of fires and floods, they were rebuilt more than once, but generally retained their medieval appearance with pointed towers. It was through these gates that the Romanian population of Shei could enter the Old Town.
Its neighboring Shey Gate was built in the first half of the 19th century to relieve pressure and traffic on Catherine's Gate. The gate has a neoclassical appearance, reminiscent of a triumphal arch. A small gate on the side of the main one was intended for pedestrians.
Mount Tâmpa
This mountain, over 900 meters high, is located in the center of Brasov, and at its foot lies the Old Town and Shei. In my opinion, climbing Mount Tempa is an obligatory part of visiting Brasov, as it offers a breathtaking view of Brasov. On clear days, not only the city itself is visible, but also all its surroundings. There is a developed tourist infrastructure here, there are cafes and restaurants, as well as a natural park. There are many scenic trails leading up the mountain, along which you can reach the top of the mountain in an hour. However, I recommend going down them and going up the mountain along cable car, which will take your breath away - the views are so beautiful.
The cable car leads to a mark of 940 meters, from there in 5 minutes you can walk to the Brasov sign, the inscription that adorns Timpa. Please note that the cable car operates from 9:30 to 16:00 every day except Monday. The travel ticket costs 3.5 EUR.
Fortification of Brasov (Fortificațiile Brașovului)
Brasov is a city located at the crossroads of many paths and influences. Due to its strategic position, it was often attacked. For protection, the city was surrounded by a fortress wall, and entry into the Old City through the city gates was strictly regulated. Currently, several towers, bastions and a small section of the fortress wall itself have been preserved from the fortress.
However, not far from the city center, a citadel (Cetățuia de pe Strajă) has been preserved on a hill. Initially, it was located outside the city and guarded the approaches to it, so it was destroyed more than once. In the 17th century it acquired its current appearance, but lost its military purpose. Since then, this complex has served as a warehouse, barracks, prison, archive, and eventually became one of the main tourist attractions.
Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?
Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?
Residents of Brasov are proud of the history of their city, so most museums are dedicated to history in one way or another:
Parks
If in Brasov you want to visit nature, then I recommend, first of all, going to Mount Timpa. City parks, in my opinion, have nothing to contrast with its monumental picturesqueness, however, they also have their own charm. A green area of several parks surrounds the Old Town to the north and west. Of particular importance among them is Central Park(Parcul Central Nicolae Titulescu). It bears the name of the Romanian politician and diplomat Nicolae Titulescu, who became famous for being the President of the League of Nations.
The park arose at the end of the 19th century on the site of a former deserted customs zone preceding the entrance to the city. It often changed names and modernized to become better. Now there are alleys with rare trees, fountains, statues, flower beds - perfect place in order to relax from the bustle of the city near the Old Town.
Tourist streets
In my opinion, all the streets of the Old Town are vying for the title of “tourist streets”. Each can delight the traveler with its historical atmosphere and beautiful ancient buildings.
However, two are particularly significant:
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What to see in 1 day
Although Brasov small town, it is full of interesting sights, museums and natural delights. Therefore, if you only have one day, I advise you to start early:
- 8:00–10:00 – time for a morning walk around the Old Town. Starting in the morning, you will be able to see how the city wakes up, almost alone, without crowds, and enjoy the delights of the main square and tourist streets. I advise you to complement your walk with a cup of coffee in one of the establishments with a terrace on pedestrian street Republic.
- 10:00–12:00 – on the main square there are two important museums for Brasov: the Historical Museum and the Museum of Urban Civilization. You can visit both (each will take about an hour and a half) or focus on one. If this is your first time in Transylvania or you have little idea of its history, then I definitely recommend going to the history museum. However, if you come to Brasov from another Transylvanian city, I think you will be more interested in the Museum of Urban Civilization.
- 12:00–14:00 – time to explore the remains of the city fortifications, without visiting which an acquaintance with the city can be considered incomplete. After the bastions and towers we go for lunch at one of the national restaurants in the Old Town.
- 14:00–16:00 – time to conquer Mount Tympa. Personally, I like to take the cable car up the mountain, enjoying the views, and come down along one of the many scenic trails. However, if you like walking in the mountains, you can go up the mountain on foot (it is not high, the climb takes about an hour). From the top of the mountain there is a charming view of Brasov, and especially of the Old Town, which is in full view. At the top you can also have a snack in one of the cafes.
- 16:00–18:00 – walk through the historical district of Shei. If you go down the mountain southwest of the Old City, you will find yourself in the Shay area. A walk here will allow you to feel the spirit of a medieval suburb. I recommend visiting the Museum of the First Romanian School if you are interested in Romanian culture. In my opinion, the Church of St. Nicholas is a must-visit because of its fantastically beautiful dark fresco paintings.
- 18:00–20:00 – time for a leisurely dinner. If you choose national Romanian cuisine for lunch, then for dinner I advise you to choose a Hungarian or German establishment, or vice versa. After walking through the city space, which has mixed with different cultural influences, it is also interesting to enjoy the gastronomic diversity.
- 20:00–22:00 – the ideal end to a day in Brasov, in my opinion, is to go to the hill northwest of the Old Town (you can take a taxi) and watch the dusk fall on the city and the city lights come on.
What to see in the area
Food. What to try
The cuisine of Transylvanian cities was formed under strong Hungarian and German influence. Considering that Brasov was one of the main cultural centers for the Transylvanian Saxons, the German influence in the local cuisine is especially strong. You can also still find German restaurants in the city (for example, Am Rosenanger, Piața George Enescu 13). In general, in Brasov restaurants you can try both general Romanian and Transylvanian dishes.
Three dishes particularly highlight the local cuisine:
- pike perch in Brasov style (Șalău brasovean),
- Brasov-style roll (rulou brasovean),
- Brasov pancakes (clatite brasovene).
You can find them on the menus of other cities, but it would be logical to try them in Brasov. Pike perch in Brasov is nothing unusual - just fish with vegetables. But the taste of the Brasov roll can surprise you. This dish is a minced pork roll stuffed with a boiled egg and pickled cucumber. It sounds strange, but the taste is very interesting.
Brasov pancakes are the most famous local dish. These are not just pancakes with a rich filling (minced meat, mushrooms, cheese), their specificity is that ready-made pancakes with filling are fried in breading.
If you like to cook yourself, then I recommend going to the Piata STAR market (Strada Nicolae Bălcescu 62) for groceries. It is located near the center, and there is a large selection of vegetables and fruits, as well as dairy and meat products from farms.
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Holidays
The main holidays and festivals occur in Brasov during Easter and November.
- At Easter, like other Romanian cities, Brasov is beautifully decorated and delights residents and guests of the city with numerous fairs. However, the most interesting things in Brasov begin after Easter: the main city holiday in Brasov is celebrated for three days. This Days of Brasov (Zilele Braşovului), which are celebrated on a special scale. I advise you to come to Brasov on these dates. These days, travelers are guaranteed complete immersion in the atmosphere of the city, as well as a wide variety of activities. For example, as part of the city day, a gastronomic festival, a masquerade, a flower fair, theatrical performances and concerts of local and invited musical groups are held. Of particular interest to tourists is the crafts fair held as part of the city day. Here you can buy handicrafts from the villages surrounding Brasov.
- Another important, and most importantly colorful holiday is the so-called "Parade of the Young" (Parada Junilor). This action takes place on Fomino Resurrection (Antipascha), that is, on the first resurrection after Easter. Seven groups of young riders descend from the Shei area into the Old Town of Brasov. On the one hand, this holiday is an interweaving of pre-Christian customs with Christian holidays and is associated with the idea of ritual “renewal” and “rebirth.” The roots of the holiday go back centuries and it was not possible to establish them precisely, but the holiday itself is associated with the customs of celebrating the New Year among the Dacians, the ancestors of the Romanians, as well as the spring festival. On the other hand, it is an important part of local folklore traditions. At the beginning, horsemen in national clothes parade through the central streets, and then the holiday continues with folk festivities and concerts.
- In November, Brasov hosts the International Festival of Opera, Operetta and Ballet (Festivalului Internaţional de Operă, Operetă şi Ballet), as well as the National Festival of Contemporary Drama (Festivalul Naţional de Teatru Contemporan). However, in my opinion, the main interest for a wide audience is the folklore festival Etnovember. The holiday made an indelible impression on me. This three-day festival celebrates Brasov's ethnic diversity. In addition to the Romanian population, Brasov is home to Hungarian, Jewish, German and other communities. During the festival, all national groups demonstrate their culture in the form of concerts, performances, exhibitions, poetry readings, etc. On the second day of the festival, a medieval market is also held, and at the end of the day there is a torchlight procession along the central streets.
Safety. What to watch out for
Brasov is a very peaceful, cozy and calm city. The center is absolutely safe at any time of the day. Unlike Bucharest, there is no problem with theft here, so you can ride the bus without fear for your belongings.
However, you should not lose your vigilance, especially during the tourist season, when local pickpockets become more active. According to statistics, the only possible problem is the risk of things being stolen from the car. The surroundings of bus stations can cause existential discomfort if you are unaccustomed to them, but they are absolutely safe.
Things to do
Although Brasov is primarily known for its history and architecture, it has a lot to offer travelers beyond its classic attractions.
Firstly, while in Brasov, you can go climb Mount Tympa or visit the Poiana Brasov ski resort (more about it in the corresponding section). In addition to skiing, Poiana Brasov offers rock climbing and horse riding.
Secondly, in Brasov there is an amusement park " " and a water park " " (read about them in the section "Holidays with children").
Shopping and shops
Few tourists come to Brasov for shopping, however, those who love shopping will be able to find something interesting for themselves in Brasov.
Many shops, including designer items, are located on the main street of the city, Strada Republicii, as well as on strada Muresenilor. Here you can buy not only clothes and shoes, but also books, souvenirs, jewelry, etc.
There are several large ones in Brasov shopping centers however, most are located outside the city center.
Bars. Where to go
Pubs occupy a leading position in Brasov. There are excellent pubs at every turn in the Old Town; beer here costs about 1.5 EUR per glass. Unfortunately, most bars are open until midnight.
- One of the most popular places in the city has the controversial name "Dr. Jekelius – Pharmacy Cafe" (Strada Michael Weiss 13), but an interesting concept. The interior and glassware are stylized as a pharmacy, and in addition to classic cocktails, there are also experimental ones.
- If you like rock music, I recommend going to a bar