Welcome to Braşov in County Braşov,
part of the Transilvania region of Romania! Discover historic Braşov and
surrounding villages, see things to do and understand the rich Transilvania
culture unfolding in historic county Braşov. Rest Romania will help
you find the perfect hotel or B&B in our section on Braşov lodging, B&B
(bed and breakfast), or great activities further out in County Braşov.
Check
out your transportation options in Braşov in County Braşov, part of
the region of Transilvania in Romania. Find your accommodation options in
either Braşov or Braşov, with fun things to do from eoc-tourism, to
nearby hiking and even skiing.
The new
Rest
Romania Gallery
has photos from our contributors showing the best of Romania!
For other towns outside of the
Braşov city area, please see
County Braşov,
and the special sections on Bran,
Predeal and
Făgăras!
Braşov, The Fairytale Town
When the Pied Piper led the children of Hamlin into the underground,
they emerged again at Braşov!
In addition to being the end of an apparently very long fairy tale
tunnel, Braşov
fought off invaders and proudly survived the rule of Saxons,
Hungarians, and even it's decade as "Stalin Town" under the mad
Communist regime.
An easy 166
km from Bucharest, it is the second-most visited city by tourists,
and surrounded by the Southern Carpathians, and possessing an almost
Disney-esque charm, this capital of Transylvania is sure to impress!
Old
Town including the Black Church and main square or Council Square (Piaţa
Sfatului). Features medieval buildings in different architectural
styles.
It was smart in medieval times to be near one of the
mountain passes -- it meant you were on a trade route, and you also
had a slightly more limited area you had to defend.
Thusly, Braşov grew as a Saxon fortified town
serving the trade routes down to Wallachia.
Around the main square you can find the picturesque pedestrian-only Republicii street, the
Black Church,
former Council House, indoor and outdoor terraces and restaurants,
the Orthodox Cathedral, Mureşianu's House, the
Hirscher House and
more.
On Tâmpa Hill, located on
the southern side of the city, there was a citadel called Brassovia,
and the remains can be seen there today, along with the Weavers
tower and the cable car station going up to the top of Mount
Tâmpa.
If you have some information for us about Braşov or County Braşov,
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The Enchanting Saxon Town
Braşov was first recorded as Terra Saxonum de Barasu
("Saxon Land of Baras"), in a 1252 document. The German name,
"Kronstadt" means "Crown City", and is reflected in the city's coat of
arms, as well as in its Medieval Latin name, Corona. The three names
of the city (Braşov/Brassó, Kronstadt, and Corona) were used
simultaneously in the Middle Ages.
"Rope Street" was newly refurbished
in 2003, worth a look and some photos! Strada Sforii is
just 1.3 metres wide, making it the narrowest gazetted
street.
Some truly inspired spires on this
fairytale church near Braşov's
Piaţa Unirii in the old Romanian
quarter of town. Frankly, any town without a
Unification Square is known as "Hungarian".
The church, the oldest
Orthodox churches in Transylvania, was built of wood
in 1392 and replaced by stone in 1495. Like other
medieval churches, it is surrounded by walls with
large wooden gates. Inside the enclosure is a small
cemetery and three exhibitions: the first
Romanian-language school (1495), the Library, and
Archives of the Church.
Looking more inspired by Disney than
Emperor Franz I who commissioned it, this small but fanciful gate
separated the ethic Romanians from their richer Saxon and
Hungarian neighbours from 1825 onwards
Braşov is the largest resort town in Romania,
with a very well preserved old city centre in the Saxon tradition, and
Romania's first ski complex at the adjoining Poiana
Braşov.
Stroll along the pedestrianised Republic Street with beautiful Saxon
inspired shops, churches and old government buildings, and take the
cable-car to the top of Mount Tâmpa (995m) which provides a fabulous view of
the old town below.
In addition to being a great base for your Transilvanian tours to
Sighişoara or Sibiu, the
immediate Braşov
area
has it's own rather enduring charms too.
Poiana Braşov is just up the mountain a bit
and offers fantastic scenery and skiing through the winter, and super
hiking and camping in the summer months.
Piaţa Sfatului, or Council Square is the
main square at the end of the pedestrianised Str.
Republicii.
The main attractions is undoubtedly the old Council
House, which stands alone in the wide plaza with it's icon golden
clock tower and distinctive Saxon architecture.
The Merchant's Hall (known as the
Hirscher House) saw
many meetings of the old towns guilds of Braşovian
merchants. Built by the widow of a Braşov mayor from 1539 - 1545, it now is home to the
Carpathian Ox restaurant.
The house of the local Mureşianu family
was founded in 1968 from the kind gifts and donations of the
descendants of the original publishing tycoon family.
You'll get a reasonable insight into the interior furnishings,
paintings and art and sculpture of the time, from pieces collected
by the family.
The archives at this museum are admirable, with the long list of
notable family leaders keeping the tradition of saving almost
everything seemingly. Some owned newspapers, and others were
in politics in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Stop by for a fascinating insight into what it meant to be in
Braşov as part of a leading family 100 years
ago!
A celebrated Gothic site - the
building dates from 1477, when it replaced a 1384 church. Its acquired the
name after being blackened by smoke from a 1689 fire.
Biserica Neagră (German: Schwarze Kirche) is the main
cathedral in Braşov, a city in south-western Transylvania, Romania.
It was built beginning in the 1384 by the German community of the
city and stands as the main Gothic style monument in the country, as
well as being one of the most important Lutheran (Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Romania) places of worship in the region.
The originally-Roman Catholic cathedral was know as
the Church of Saint Mary until it was partially destroyed during a
great fire set by invading Habsburg forces on the April 21, 1689
(during the Great Turkish War). Afterward, it became known as the
Black Church (Biserica Neagră in Romanian).
The current structure was probably erected on top of
an older chapel destroyed during the Mongol invasion of 1241.
Completed in 1477, the architects planned a
three-nave basilica, all the same height, as was preferred during
the 15th and 16th centuries in the German lands, where most of the
architects and masons originated.
Following the fire of 1689, Biserica Neagră was repaired with the
help of masons coming from Danzig (today Gdańsk, Poland), as local
craftsmen did not master the craft of completing the enormous
vaults; these were to be completed in Baroque style.
Today the cathedral is a major symbol of Braşov, and
a museum open to visitors of the city centre. A Lutheran service is
held each Sunday for the small German community in the city.
The First Romanian School, St. Nicholas Church and Book Museum
The First Romanian School is within the 16th Century church of
St. Nicholas, located in the historic district of Şchei, now part of
the city of Braşov.
It is also home to a printing press, bible and what
can be loosely described as the first school magazine. The next door
museum houses a variety of first Romanian books and the first
printing press.
Vasile Oltean is both the caretaker and the guide,
and has spent the last 40 years of his life working at the First
Romanian School, as a priest for the last six, and a teacher and
pupil before that.
The church of St. Nicholas was built in the 14th century the
school was believed to have started in 1583, using the Cyrillic
alphabet for teaching.
The church was the first Orthodox church to be built
on Transilvanian soil by the princes of Wallachia, and it served the
Romanian quarter of Braşov, still called the
Schiu neighbourhood.
This changed over two and a half centuries later, in
1833, when the principalities united and higher education started
and the language changed to Latin, which immediately enhanced the
standard of education.
The background of the students was varied, and being
the only school in Transylvania, people came from far and wide,
although mainly the southeast of the region. However not everyone
went to school.
Each village paid for one student to attend the school, in order
to learn to teach upon returning and share their education.
Over time, a total of 1730 students attended the
school; however the most at one time was 110. It is now known
exactly how the school was funded, but it was recognised by the Pope
in 1395.
The school remained in use right up until the 20th
century, and closed in 1941. The spectacular collections of archaic
and original items were gathered starting in 1933 and were first
organized in a museum in 1964.
The first Romanian letter in Latin was produced by the press,
the first Romanian schoolbook and the first bible, which was printed
on goatskin and had a cover weighing a hefty seven kilos.
The museum also contains the first printing press. Only 39 books
were made by this press, which is hardly surprising given the labour
required, however the work it did produce included plenty more
firsts. Several more books that were used have been preserved; in
fact the library contains six thousand books, which were used in the
school.
Central Braşov is surrounded by a defensive citadel, which in
times of trouble had towers manned by townspeople who locked
themselves in the bastions to survive the onslaught.
The threat of Turkish terror rising up from the south
caused the fine citizens of Braşov to build
some fortifications, most of which can still be seen along the south
side of town along the base of Mount Tâmpa.
Each guild in town, organised by the vocations of it's members (such
as tailors, blacksmiths, butcher's, etc) had their own towers (or
"bastions") along the walls at regular intervals to fight off the
invaders.
At the base of Mount Tâmpa you'll
see much of the citadel wall, along with the reasonable well
preserved Weaver's Tower, built in the early decades of the 1400s.
The various levels inside the tower were used
for sleeping, cooking, and a large area to store the grains, meats
and other foodstuffs required to last out a siege by the Turks or
whoever was overreaching for Transilvania at the time.
Have a look through the little museum there before heading up the
mountain.
If you happen to particularly enjoy this tower, you can see a couple
of others on the hill opposite the main square. The Black and
White tower and the Blacksmith's Bastion date from slightly later in
the 1400s, although not quite as well preserved due to various
attacks and ravages of man and time.
In addition to the towers and bastions, the other
notable element of any self-respecting fortified city are the gates.
On the west side, the gates built there led out to the old
Romanian "Schiu" quarter, just outside the walled Saxon township
inside the fortifications. The ethnic Romanian
population, who were not allowed to live within the fortified walls
of the Braşov citadel, had to pay for the
privilege of entering to sell their wares and produce.
The most impressive of the Braşov city
gates is undoubtedly the Catherine Gate, built in 1559 as the
western gate of the citadel, replacing on there from the 14th or
15th century.
It was one of the best fortified gates in it's day, and it was
through this gate that Romania's legendary hero Michael the Brave as
one of his three stops in Braşov.
The gate suffered greatly through it's centuries, enduring a
great fire in 1689, earthquakes in 1738, and by the late 1820s, the
Catherine gate was supplanted by the Schiu gate.
In 1971 the old gate was restored and now houses the
offices of the Architectural Union.
Erected near the Catherine Gate in 1828, the classical
architecture of the Schei Gate features three openings, two
passenger arches on either side, and the central gate for vehicles
(these days more cars than carts use the central opening).
You can still see the inscriptions in Latin above the gate (see
left).
Beautiful view of the old city and the surrounding
nature from 900 meters above sea-level. Tâmpa is the mountain that
you see from any point in Brasov, with a large TV transmitter
antenna on top.
The antenna building also houses a restaurant and a
cable car station. Accessible by foot (a one hour hike, sometimes
steep, but low difficulty level nonetheless, recommended in
snow-less seasons only) and also by cable car (called Telecabină).
Cable car operates daily except Mondays, 9:30am -
9pm
Annual Fun Days
The
Beer Festival is a great little event which is very popular with the
locals and tourists alike.
Usually held in the fall. Dozens of tents from
several beer companies offer their products. Also, you will be able
to get a taste of mici (Romanian grilled sausages) and other
traditional foods. Local and national bands and artists of all
persuasions take the stage.
Braşov's best known festival is the
annual Golden Stag (Cerbul de Aur,
logo to right) international music festival, held in August and
September.
The weeks long festival sees the main square festooned with all
manner of sound equipment, and camera crews getting every angle as
music stars old and new perform live, beamed across the nation in a
celebration of all that is good in Romanian modern music.
Well, good unless you love Paraziţii or the hip-hop
forms of Manele.
Other Great Sights to See
Mount Tâmpa
The lookout area and complex atop this mountain
which towers over the old town of
Braşov is The Tâmpa
Panoramic, affording memorable views of this old fairytale city
from over 900 meters above sea-level. Much like the Hollywood sign,
you can't miss the bright "BRAŞOV"
letter shining from the mountain during the night. The complex also houses a
restaurant and a cable car station. If you have a nice Spring day
to spend, the one hour hike up the small mountain is delightful,
affording views at several of the switchback turns. It's steep in
a few parts, but not difficult, and most healthy travellers can achieve
the summit in less than an hour. Of course, the cable car is also
a great ride. Don't forget to stop in at the Weaver's Tower at the
base of the mountain to see the small museum there.
The Brasov Citadel (aka Cetatea Brasov) -
Situated atop the Citadel Hill (Dealul Cetatii). This 16th Century
fortress-like citadel houses several restaurants with outdoor terraces,
a bar, a winery, an armory, an 81 metres (240 ft. ) deep fountain, four
defense towers and, of course, a night-club. Makes for some great
pictures inside and out.
Stay safe
Brasov is generally safe for tourists and police
presence is very noticeable, especially in places frequented by
tourists. Usually the main risk is getting pickpocketed or scammed
through various "techniques", all of which can be avoided. For more
safety tips see Romania and Transylvania, and especially read about the
"maradona" technique.
In addition to the pleasing
architecture of this temple, it's perhaps more important
to reflect on the the anti-Semitic hatred which allowed
in the removal and murder of over 350,000 proud Romanian
Jews during the bloody rule General Antonescu.
La République
Str. Republicii 33. It's
a nice French-themed cręperie
serving a wide range of crępes
(clătiţi in
Romanian), both sweet and sour. It's a
chain, so you might find it somewhere
else. It's the cheapest way to eat
something good in the historical center.
Braşov is blessed by having
it's own nearby ski resort at Poiana Braşov, or
"Braşov Meadows". At just over
1000m in elevation, Poiana Braşov offers good
intermediate slopes and some fairly stunning views of the
surrounding Postăvarul Massif.
Whilst the city of
Braşov is down on it's own plateau north of
the Bucegi mountains, the
Poiana Braşov area is the first high ground
south of the city. It was just a few cabins until the late
1800s, but by 1906 it was operating as a ski resort, hosting
Romania's first competition ski event in 1909.
Also called "the Sunny Meadow", or
Poiana Soarelui, the little Poiana Braşov
basin has a temperate-continental climate (that means chilly for 9
months of the year!). The average temperature in summer is 20 °C and
in winter -4 °C (yes, that's the average!). There is a snow cover of
about 50-60 cm which lasts from mid-November until mid-March, for
about 120 days a year. Snowfalls can start as early as the end of
September in some years.
This established recreational wonderland has something for
everyone in all seasons. A ride to the top of Mount Postăvarul
on a spring day will reward you with some fabulous views of the
surrounding mountains.
Bushwalkers will delight in the hiking trails criss-crossing the
verdant region, with several trail-heads starting in Poiana Braşov.
You can secure a hiking guide for a reasonable daily rate at the
tourist office or through your local travel agent (recommended).
Horse enthusiasts can find a riding stables on the north side of
town, and bowling is also available.
It does rain quite a bit during the autumn months, but this turns
to snow quickly, giving Poiana Braşov about
four months of good snow annually, usually beginning around October.
Stop in at any major hotel for information on local
events when you're in town, which usually has some sort of festival
every few months, regardless of the season.
Lessons for
beginner skiing are popular and can be arranged through any local
travel agent or at the Complex Favorit tourist office.
The low air pressure and the ionization of the atmosphere in the
Poiana Braşov region are said by holistic medicine adherents to be
favourable elements in treating neurasthenia, endocrine and
respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis asthma, and so
forth.
Area travel agents in Braşov
and hotels at Poiana Braşov offer some good package
deals for summer or winter fun. You'll find peak rates around
the December, January and February snow season, with long shoulder
seasons. Mid and low-end accommodation have similarly
lower rate changes.
Eating, Drinking, Being Merry
Nightlife is surprisingly active during the autumn
and winter months, with lovers of winter sports loving to drink late
into the night as well!
The restaurants all tend to favour the rustic
mountain look, with a few licks of local history folded into the
mix. Romanians generally are lovers of "traditional"
cuisine, and Poiana Braşov is full of these
paragons of country cooking.
Do not be surprised if halfway through your meal the
lights dim and a spotlight is turned on to reveal a woman in
traditional costume singing her heart out for a lost love, a lost
pig or generally lost opportunities in life. Realise
that you've lost your last chance to find wait staff for the next
half hour at least too!
Check out the Capra Neagră in the middle of town
along the main drag of Str. Poiana Soarelui,
for a bit of after-hours fun (the pizza place next door is fine for
a quick bite), or for dinner, go for the Şura Dacilor (The
Dacian Barn) and Coliba Haiducilor (The Outlaws' Shack). Most
tourist restaurants such as these are open for lunch and dinner,
many to midnight.
The major hotels also offer standard restaurant fare,
with the larger ones offering reasonable buffet breakfasts as well.
Do your best in the winter months to find some traditional
mulled wine (vin fiert) and, as always, plenty of the plum brandy
called ţuică as well as other traditional Romanian fare.
The Land of the Bârsa
(Ţara Bârsei)
comprises about half of County Braşov, from
Apaţa in the north, the upper region around Bran Pass in the southwest and
along the lower Bârsa river at Prejmer in
the east.
Named after the river Bârsa, a tributary of the Olt River,
German colonization of the region started in the middle of 12th
century during the reign of King Géza II of Hungary, and in the 13th
century, it was given to the Teutonic Knights by King Andrew II of
Hungary, giving the knights the right to establish markets and
administer justice.
However, the Knights disregarded the rights of the local
bishopric, and were ousted by the Hungarian crown in 1225.
The Hungarians continued their importation of Secklers and Pechenegs to the region
during the 12th and 13th centuries. These new arrivals partly
supplanted the ethnic
Romanian populations around Braşov, although
Romanian village life flourished in the upper Bârsa
river valley at Tohanu, as well as around Braşov, at
Sacele and of course at the Schei district next to
the Braşov city walls.
The ethnic Saxon population of the region remained until after
World War II, with most expelled by the Communist Romanian regime
beginning in 1976, with exit visas granted for a healthy fee.
These towns to the northwest of
Braşov boast some of the most interesting examples of Saxon
churches in the region.
Harman and Prejmer are well within the
lower Land of the Bârsa region, not far from
the Bârsa river, and the hilly region was
known in Dacian and Roman times as Mons Mellis ("honey hills"),
first recorded in modern times under the reign of Bela the Fourth of Hungary around 1240. The Mons
Mellis names have their origin in the surrounding area, where
beehives were traditionally kept in the surrounding
Lempeş hills.
Very little in these charming towns has changed
since the 19th century, when Saxon influence coalesced in these
towns. The gorgeous little rounded windows and doorways of the
colourful houses greet you and warm your heart on sight, looking
more like something a set designer would create for a fairytale
movie.
The Fortified Churches
If you're in the area, both of the citadels at
Harman and Prejmer area must on your itinerary.
The fortified church at Harman was built
in the Cistercian style in the twelfth century. The
Cistercians were a conservative branch of the Benedictine monks,
originating in France in 1098, and growing in popularity across
Europe in the 12th to 15th centuries, ending up with about 750 such
Cistercian churches at their zenith.
The 12-metre high walls around the the
main structure were built in an oval pattern as with those around
the church in Prejmer. The chapel at Harman has lovely
15th-century frescoes, open daily except Mondays, closed for lunch
from 12pm - 1pm.
Crowned with seven lovely lookout towers
and a 52-metre clock tower, this formidable church-fortress
amalgamation managed to repel the attack of the great Moldovan
Prince Ştefan Tomşa.
In nearby Prejmer, you can visit
the 13th century fortress, one of the biggest in South-Eastern
Europe, with massive battlements, a charming bell tower, and a great
example of the traditional Saxon church buildings, complete with
medieval accommodation wing, storehouses, administration complex,
grand tours and the church building itself. Keep an eye
out for the fresco of The Passion from the late 15th century, as
well as the wonderful late Gothic vaulted ceilings, all well worth a
few hours there and in the little museum adjoining.
It's open daily from 9am (11am on
Sundays), the church was originally built in the form of a Greek
cross, but was later amended in the thirteenth century to the more
popular Cistercian format.
The inevitable Turks raided in 1421
(Turks and the Ottoman empire were a constant threat on the other
side of the Carpathians for centuries), and Harman's church was
raised, along with those in the surrounding towns of Sanpetru,
Halchiu, Bod, Ghimbav and Vulcan. Today the surrounding
moats of the fortifications have been filled in, making for a nice
parkland apron.
Yet another wave of Turkish destruction
ensued in 1432, followed by invasions of Tatars, Wallachs,
Moldovans and Secklers, along with the rather nasty epidemics which
plagued the area.
Harman and Prejmer saw the Black Death
in 1553, 1572, 1603, 1660, and 1718-1719, gaining it the title "Prejmer:
Plagued by Plague Three Centuries in a Row!" Okay, not really,
but the place was clearly cursed. Years of heavy rains killed
hundreds, the fortified church was burnt over and over by a wide
variety of local princes, and also by accident.
Just up in the Lempeş
hills is also an old 5th century fortification from Harman's days as
a stop on the trade routes.
Check out the sweet little museum at
Harman too if you're in the area, and if you're staying, check out
the pool, gym and sauna facilities at the Beitrans centre.
Amongst the traditions and customs found in Harman
include the traditional Plumage Ball in the first week of the year
after the New Year's celebrations. A small army of young
men and women leave the town and travels around the township in
traditional costume with a great peacock feather inserted in their
(usually) felt caps.
The peacock feathers are often arranged
around a panel with beading
The parading of the peacock feathers culminates in a
great ball for the entire community, with the larger feathers being
worn by the elders of the community.
This grand celebration infects villages and towns
alike, heralding the beginning of Spring, with houses, doorways and
town squares festooned with wreaths and garlands, and boughs and
branches used to decorate fencelines and entryways alike.
Picnics and feast tables crop up in open fields, and
villagers get out to enjoy the sun, camaraderie and spring foods.
Rooted in an old country tradition dedicated to the
great tree spirit Arminden, the placing of the new spring buds and
leaves warded off evil spirits and welcomed the good spirits of the
plant world with decorated villages and festivals promoting the new
season.
A great Maypole is erected in an open field or
sometimes in a village green, and is decorated with flowers and ears
of corn and said to embody the Arminden spirit, named after the
Dacian leader Armin.
The Days of Lamb and Wormwood
Roast lamb is a favourite dish at these celebrations,
so try if you're in Romania a bit early for the summer season, make
sure to find a Maial celebration!
You'll delight too in the unique wormwood wine (a bit
bitter but good for the blood!) and spring veal which was days
earlier rolling in the grass with their faces washed by the dew.
During this time, villagers call out the name of the
local witch or spirit to stop them stealing the cow's milk and seed
crops. The day of Arminden is considered the beginning
of the summer pastoral period, and the first day you should
realistically plant corn.
If you're in town in mid August, don't miss these
festival days of parades and market stalls where locals show their
handicrafts, prepare great local cuisine, and enjoy the musical
performances of soloists and groups alike.
The township celebrates halfway through August and
this community celebration is always a moment of reaffirmation for
the cultural heritage and history of the region.
This festival really is a happy occasion for all who
have their origins in the region. You cannot miss the
splendour of the evening program, where the popular costume parade
of the townsfolk and villagers proudly show off their
traditional costumes from Harman and from the surrounding villages.
You can get to Harman and Prejmer by taxi
(about 15RON by taxi), bus, maxi-taxi, or train from
Braşov. See
other transportation options below
Feldioara Village
Really rather charming and so typical of
the Saxon villages along the river Olt
Feldioara Fortress
This ruin has a surprisingly
inspirational feel about it -- not spooky, just placid.
A great place for a summer picnic!
The Rotbav Fortified Church
Yet another fine example of Saxon
heritage worthy of preservation
Due to it's happy location along the Olt river,
Feldioara was a thriving settlement during the height of the Dacian
period and well into the Middle Ages.
The true charm of this town as a tourist destination
becomes clear from it's beautiful location between mountain and
river, and it's duty as a trade route juncture becomes clear just by
it's location and aspects.
The
Fortress of Feldioara
The Teutonic Knights were given authority from the
ruling Hungarian crown in 1211 to build one of their iconic
fortresses here, which was then known as Castrum Sancte Maria.
Of course, being at an important crossroads
in trade routes, Feldioara was fiercely defended and sought-after.
In June of 1529, Romanian prince Petru Rares won his battle over
Ferdinand of Habsburg near Feldioara, where the Moldovan prince
began his rule.
The fortress today is dominated by a thick long
wall with two defensive towers and several other outer areas visible
on the hillock which oversees to the south of Feldioara. Much
of today's battlements were built on the older ones from the 13th
century and are late medieval. The surrounding moat is still
visible, dug in the Middle Ages as yet another line of defense
against the invading Tatars and Pechenegs.
The
Saxon Church
This 12th century masterpiece is a shining example
of the what the brave (and mercenary and possibly bellicose)
Teutonic Knights accomplished during their whirlwind de facto
administration of south-eastern Transilvania.
Sited grandly on the east side of Feldioara, this
Gothic style church was actually constructed over previously
consecrated land over the foundation of an old church from the
beginning of the 13th century.
The Orthodox Church
As with many such Orthodox churches of the region,
the Orthodox church at Feldioara was not built until well into the
18th Century. Whilst Transilvania was one of the few
places in Europe which Catholics, Lutherans, Calvanists and others
coexisted in realtive harmony, it was only the Orthodox religion
whish was purposefully suppressed throughout Transilvania through
the centuries.
Still, this is a great little church, built in 1788
and featuring one or two surprises, including a few 18th century
prints from the bishop in Vâlcea.
The
Braşov Memorial
On the southwest fringe of the town, this
interesting monument was built in 1912 to commemorate the
Braşovians who fought against the Hungarian
overlords in 1612. Thirty-nine young Romanians lost
their lives that day. The Hungarian prince Bathory's vaguely
inept rule ended the next year, although his aunt started several
nice vampire scares by supposedly bathing in the blood of young
virgins, so not all was lost for future tourism trade there.
Neolithic finds, Ariujd ceramics, Greek and
Macedonian coins, golden Roman spoons from the 4th century and more
have made Feldioara an archaeolgocial treasure trove and underscores
the importance of this location to Romanians throughout history. The town has a unique street structure in the Lower Bârsa Land, with
the main very wide boulevard running east-west instead of
north-south, with two major traffic circles (roundabouts for you
Aussie and Kiwi readers!).
Rotbav, meaning "Red River" in the local tongue, is
home to an Italianate masterpiece of construction worth visiting if
you are on the route between Braşov and Sighişoara
by train or by car.
Just north of Feldioara (see
above), Rotbav is certainly worth
including in your itinerary if you have any flexibility travelling
in the area. The fortified Saxon church at Rotbav is one of
several in the immediate area, but like all of them, it has it's own
unique charms. And, with most of Romania's Saxons
having left the area it is important to those left behind, Saxons
and Romanians alike work to preserve this history.
Your visits and
hopefully kind donations during your visits to these fortified
churches helps to record permanently the history and culture of the
Saxons of Transylvania, as well as helping to preserve local
folklore.
The church at Rotbav is an example of Saxon
architecture and art. It is very important now, in a time when
significant numbers of Saxons have already left Romania, and those
remaining are mostly elderly, to preserve the churches before it is
too late.
In fact, recognizing their importance, several fortified Saxon
churches have already been given Heritage site status by UNESCO. And
other organizations, including one sponsored by the Prince of Wales,
the Mihai Eminescu Trust in London, are working to preserve the
remaining churches.
Next to the old castle and the adjoining church,
tourists can visit a village museum with archaeological exhibits and
a pond around which you can find rare plant species, and depending
on what time of year you visit, a fairly impressive array of
migratory birds, from golden herons and great ducks, to grebes,
night herons and more.
The town crest (above) as interpreted by the local
Catholic church, represents the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Of course, the Lutherans prefer a more tame "Faith, Love and Hope"
label for the three connected circles on a blood red background.
The Rotbav Township
Rolling green hills, plenty of
village land, cheap accommodation and a little village
market for daily food. Why go to Tuscany?
Who wouldn't want to spend a summer here?
The Pond at Rotbav
Home to migratory birds in the summer
and autumn months, this wide pond gives Rotbav a rather
scenic aspect
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The city is situated at fairly equal distances from several
tourism destinations in the country: the Black Sea resorts, the
monasteries in northern Moldavia, and the well-preserved wooden churches
of Maramureş.
To the south of Braşov, the Poiana Braşov
area is surrounded by four mountains: the already mentioned
Postăvaru (1,799 m), Piatra Craiului (2,238 m), Bucegi (2,505 m) and
Piatra Mare (1,848 m).
Weather
Temperatures from May to September fluctuate around 23°C / 75°F.
Braşov
benefits from a winter tourism season centred on winter sports and other
activities.
The municipality of Braşov has a total population of 284,596.
Its ethnic composition includes 90% Romanians, with 9%Hungarian
ancestry, and the rest comprising ethnic Germans of 1,717 (0.60%), Roma:
762 (0.26%), and Jews: 138. All other ethnicities (Russians,
Greeks, Italians) total 871 (0.31%).
In 2005, the metropolitan area of Braşov was created. With its
surrounding localities, it is estimated to have 350,000-400,000
inhabitants.
Industrial development in Braşov started in the inter-war period,
with one of the largest factories being the airplane-manufacturing plant
(IAR Braşov), which produced the first Romanian fighter planes, which
were used in World War II against the Soviets.
After Communist rule was imposed, this plant was converted to
manufacture of agricultural equipment. Industrialization was accelerated in the Communist era, with special
emphasis being placed on heavy industry, attracting many workers from
other parts of the country. Heavy industry is still abundant, including
a large factory which manufactures MAN AG trucks under licence, as well
as native-designed trucks and coaches.
Although the industrial base has been in decline in recent years,
Braşov is still a site for manufacturing agricultural machinery,
hydraulic transmissions, auto parts, ball-bearings, helicopters (at the
nearby IAR site in Ghimbav), building materials, tools, furniture,
textiles, shoes and cosmetics.
There are also chocolate factories and a large brewery. In
particular, the pharmaceutical industry has undergone further
development lately, with GlaxoSmithKline establishing a production site
in Braşov.
A large longwave broadcasting facility is located near Braşov, at
Bod. Sadly, the iconic tractor plant closed in early 2007, leaving quite a few
workers wondering where their tractor-making skills might be used.
Possibly in Moldova.
Centrally located Braşov in the Heart of Romania is a good starting point for trips around
Romania, with many tourists opting to travel directly to Braşov
after their arrival at Bucharest, or if arriving in
Romania at the airport in Sibiu from Vienna, Munich or Budapest, after a
few days in Sibiu.
Transport in Braşov is very extensive, and, as an added
benefit, runs late into the night (there are specialised
all-night services too).
It is cheap also, even though not particularly comfortable
due to ageing infrastructure. Run by RAT Bv (Regia Autonomă
Transport Braşov), the network is made up of trolleybuses, buses
and trams, like in most other Romanian cities. It is a lot
better to buy tickets from kiosks, but remember to punch them
when on the bus.
Even though there are no ticket gates when entering the
vehicles, and drivers/operators won't see if you fare-evade,
it's wise to have a valid ticket because controllers are
abundant, and they will land you with a fine. When someone
requests your ticket, always ask to see an ID.
Seriously, this is a known scam, don't worry too much, but some
idiots still exist who think it's okay to play with tourists
like this.
A Braşovian Tram
A good around-town travel option, be sure
to have your tickets ready for inspection, although the
fines are modest by western standards.
Convenient Braşov Bus Stop
This bus stops just across the street
from the main square and the Black Church. The
little club Maya across the street there is pretty cool too.
Braşov offers four train stations, Centrală, Bartolomeu, Triaj, and
Dârste.
The main routes from Braşov are to Predeal and
Bucureşti , Sfântu Gheorghe and Gheorgheni, Sighişoara and on to Oradea,
Făgăraş to Sibiu and on to Teiuş, Hărman up to wintry Întorsura Buzăului,
and a concession line to Zărneşti.
As soon as you arrive at the train station a lot of
people will come to you offering an accommodation. If you accept,
they might offer you to plan a trip in the Braşov
area, inevitably involving Bran Castle or somesuch.
When you look for a room, don't forget to ask whether
they provide hot running water: it's not something obvious in
Brasov.
Your Train to Braşov
Getting to Braşov is very easy, due to the fact that
it is a major Romanian railway hub. Between Bucharest, the capital,
there are 19 trains daily, and there are also frequent trains from
other Romanian cities as well as a daily connection to Budapest,
Hungary (via Oradea) and a EuroNight (fast night train) connection
to Budapest via Arad.
Also due to its affordability and comfort, train is the best way of
reaching Braşov. Even though all Romanian trains are increasingly
comfortable, try to take the InterCity (IC) trains, of which there
are three per day.
These are very modern and comfortable, as they are an
initiative of the state railways to reinvigorate Romania's transport
sector. "Rapid" trains are also comfortable and almost as fast as
InterCities. "Accelerat" trains are also a fast alternative, lacking
the kind of comfort an InterCity or Rapid train would provide.
Do not, however, take trains labeled as Personal (or abbreviated as
P before their route number) to Braşov. There are 4 of these per
day, and, besides the fact that some of them are quite low on
comfort, they take nearly twice the time to get there, since they
stop at every stop. If you really are forced to take them (even
though there are Rapid and IC trains at very accessible times all
day), at least buy a first-class ticket.
If you arrive by train, you can go from the train
station to the city center by the bus number 4; it passes every 10
minutes. You have to buy the ticket before you board the bus, and
then validate it on board.
Maxi-taxis and busses both leave from just next to the train station
Braşov. Both
offer services around Braşov and also to
other towns.
Transport in Braşov is very extensive, and, as an
added benefit, runs late into the night (there are specialized
all-night services too). It is cheap also, even though not
particularly comfortable due to aging infrastructure.
Run by RAT Bv (Regia Autonomă Transport Braşov), the
network is made up of trolleybuses, buses and trams, like in most
other Romanian cities. It is a lot better to buy tickets from
kiosks, but remember to punch them when on the bus.
Even though there are no ticket gates when entering
the vehicles, and drivers/operators won't see if you fare-evade,
it's wise to have a valid ticket because controllers are abundant,
and they will land you with a fine. When someone requests your
ticket, always ask to see an ID.
If you're based in Braşov,
you
can also take the busses from the central park up to the Poiana Braşov
resort area (try bus #20) south of town
(get off at the Poiana Soarelui stop where there are more
services).
There are regular buses operated by Braşov Transit
(RAT Braşov) which ply the 12 km route between Braşov and Poiana
Braşov. The resort also runs minibuses to take visitors from hotels
to the base of the ski runs from where they can hike or take a cable
car to Cristianu Mare or Postăvaru summits.
Recently, there are quite a few intercity bus
operators, but these aren't as comfortable and reliable as the
train, and frankly, maxi-taxis are usually a better option too.
Cabbing it in Braşov
When travelling outside city
limits you may be asked to pay double fare per kilometre (it
is considered acceptable), or you could agree on a fixed
amount in advance.
If you find a reliable and
trustworthy driver that you feel comfortable with, you could
ask if he is willing to serve you for the remainder of your
stay in Brasov.
Most likely, he will be happy
to give you his cell number or car number so you can call
dispatch and ask for him. This way you will avoid having to
continually switch drivers. Never get into a taxi that
doesn't have a sign with the company name on top of it, you
may get ripped off.
Taxis are a faster and more comfortable way to get
around town than public transportation. Taxis are also relatively
cheap. Most taxis have meters and drivers are usually friendly.
There's never a shortage of cabs within city limits
at any given hour, but it is a good idea to have one called, rather
than going looking for one. By law, all the taxies must have the
price/km put in a visible place (usually outside, on the side
doors).
Anyway, you should ask the approximate fare in advance and always
make sure the driver uses the meter from the start, or agree on a
fixed amount for the ride. Though rare, there have been cases when
foreign tourists have been asked to pay enormous amounts. It's okay
and always a good idea to ask for an estimate in advance, even when
the cab is using a meter.
Taxis are usually parked in designated areas along the curb, which
are in the proximity of bus stations or other busy spots. Tipping
taxi drivers is not very common, but it's always appreciated.
The Braşov airport in the suburb of
Ghimbav is
due to open in 2008 to serve this busy resort city directly instead of bussing
people from Bucureşti and Sibiu.
The new Braşov airport at Ghimbav, built
by a Canadian construction company, is
less than 20 minutes from Romania's
premier ski resort at Poiana Braşov.
You can maxi-taxi, bus or train to Braşov
or Poiana Braşov from your airport in Bucharest or in Sibiu
(the national carrier TAROM may start flights between Sibiu and Braşov,
and Bucharest and Braşov when the airport opens).
The nearest airport to
Braşov is Sibiu, with non-stop flights to Munich and Vienna.
Most travellers however choose to fly to Bucharest Otopeni or Baneasă
airports, which are just over 150km away and accessible
directly by road E60. Both airports have
domestic non-stop flights
from Timişoara as well, connecting flights
from London and America to Sibiu, as well as from all major
capitals in Europe and the Middle East through Bucharest.
Road E60 will be the main road to use in and out or Braşov, because
this European Road links Braşov to Bucharest in the south, as well
as Cluj-Napoca, Oradea and Budapest, Hungary in the west. Road
E68 will take you to Sibiu and further onwards to Arad and
Timisoara.
Road E574 takes you into the north, to the Moldavia
region and the Painted Monasteries and Iasi. A highway
is also being built that, by 2008, will link Bucharest to Braşov and
Braşov to Cluj-Napoca and Oradea.
If the number you are calling in
Braşov is with the old state-run operator RomTelecom, it will
start with a (0268) if you're dialling in-country, or (268) without
the leading zero when dialling from abroad.
Most numbers in Braşov county
use the (268) county code, although some of the newer phone
companies will have a leading "3" before the 68, so you dial (0368)
in Romania or (368) outisde of Romania.
Dialling a mobile number, you do the same, dropping
the zero from the (07XX) part of the number, to make it (7XX).
Both landlines and mobiles have 6 digits following the initial
county code.
Rather unfortunately, we don't have listings for any cafes,
clubs, bars, pubs, hotels, restaurants, or public plazas or malls
for wireless hotspots in Braşov.
Know of a property or some information we missed?
Please Rest Romania is Romania's Biggest Tourism Website for Accommodation, Lodging and great Reviews and Guides!
Let us know about it now Thanks!
Casa Bono combines the accesibility with the posibility of spending a lovely vacation surrounded by the quiet atmosphere of a residential neighbourhood, at the feet of the mountain.
The pension has all the facilities to satisfy your needs.
268 276207
Some Recommendations
See also the listings above for more accommodation in
Braşov, these are a few top picks which
travellers have written about. See our forum for more traveller
picks in the area.
Budget
Hotel Aro Sport
Str. Sfântul Ioan 3, +40 (268) 142 840. By name, Aro Sport seems like the logical lower-class
equivalent of the four-star Hotel Aro. In many ways, it is, even though
it doesn't near the standard of the luxurious Aro. Other than that, Aro
Sport is a highly recommended stay for those on a tight budget.
Although the rooms are small and minimally furnished, they include a
sink and are usually very clean. There are shared bathrooms, and the
hotel is very clean and modern.
Hotel Camping Darste, Calea Bucuresti 285,
+40 (268) 315 863. If you want only a place to sleep and that's all, Camping Darste does its job fairly well. Other than that, it's a lot better to
choose a more central hotel with better facilities.
Hotel Postavarul
- 2 Politehnicii
+40 (268) 144330. The Postavarul is a separate wing of the Coroana hotel
entrance and bookings are made through that hotel. All of the
immaculate rooms have washbasins, but some share a shower and toilet.
For sheer location and spot-on service, this is the best value hotel in
town.
Kismet Dao Hostel
- Str. Democratiei 2, +40
(268) 514 296.complimentary beer, internet access, laundry, and tour
information make this a great value.10 Euros gets you a dorm,26 euros
gets you a private room. Check out their website for more.
Mid-range
Hotel Ambient, Str. Aninoasa 5,
+40 (268) 470
856. This three-star hotel is one of the best choices if you're in Braşov and looking for a personal yet comfortable stay. The Hotel
Ambient is a short way away from the Old Town, and offers very friendly
service. All rooms have showers, minibar, international telephone, as
well as some which have very nice balconies. If you want to splurge,
there are some high-range apartments with all the amenities including
jacuzzis.
Hotel Capitol (3-star) - 19 Eroilor,
+40 (268) 418920. Situated in the old center of Braşov, the "Capitol" is
a three star hotel with 184 double rooms that are modern and comfortably
furnished (color T. V., phone, fridge, etc. ). It has 184 double
rooms comfortably and modernly furnished, with color TV - sets, phone,
and fridge. When staying at it hotel provide the following services:
Restaurant - 1st category with excellent cuisine, lounge for conference,
receptions, banquets, and individual breakfast choice The other
supplementary services are available: room service, safe for personal
belongings services, currency exchange, and courier service.
Hotel Coroana (2-star) - 62 Republicii,
+40 (268) 144330. Coroana is situated in the historical center of Braşov
being the oldest hotel of the town, built in a an impressive baroque
style Facilities: extensive reception area, "Braserie" restaurant day,
breakfast lounge, conference a hall, currency exchange office Two star
hotel has 155 beds in 2 suite,2 singles and 69 doubles furnished in
classical style having telephone, TV - set, fridge, radio.
Hotel Helis (3-star) - 29 Memorandului,
+40 (268) 410223. Its immediate neighbourhood is not so enticing, but the Helis is a pleasant place to pitch up with nice wooden furniture, clean
while decor and crisp white linen to match. Breakfast is included in
the price, and the staff speak a variety of languages. The tasteful,
spacious rooms come with TV, and the bathrooms are in good condition.
Hotel Montana (3-star) - 2A Stejeris,
+40 (268) 472731. Braşov's best accommodation is signposted road up
towards Poiana Braşov. The modern (painted green) overlooks the centre
of town and has a great terrace.rooms are spacious and modern with TV
and shower (those with balconies cost morel and there's a large shared
living room. The pension has guarded parking and a cardphone in the
lobby.
Hotel Silvania (3-star) - 27 Caprioarei,
+40 (268) 415556. Silvania Villa is one of the most outstanding villas in
Braşov since it combines a relaxed, friendly atmosphere with impressive
and modern facilities. Peaceful, stylish yet natural décor creates a
calm, warm, welcoming ambience, making it hard to believe you are
virtually close to the heart of the city.
Hotel Tampa (2-star) - 68 Matei Basarab,
+40 (268) 415180. Located almost on the mountain, but approached from a
ragged part of town, at first sight the Tampa is a forbidding concrete
monolith, albeit a forbidding concrete monolith that's surrounded by
trees and bird song. Inside, it's not as bad as you might think, with
parquet floors, Persian-style rugs and a marble staircase. All rooms
have TV and phone with a big size bath and shower.
Hotel Trifan (3-star) - 1A bis Grivitei,
+40 (268) 418893. Just out of town on the road to Sighisoara, Trifan is
more of a motel than a hotel, useful to atop over after a long
drive.rooms have shared bathrooms, pay more if you want your own
shower.
Deluxe
Hotel Aro, Str. Eroilor,27,
+40 (268) 142 840.
Hotel Aro has for long been one of Braşov's premier hotels. At four
stars, it certainly doesn't come very cheap, but then again, it won't
break the bank. Situated in the centre of the Old Town, it has 15
suites,262 double rooms and 30 singles. Most rooms offer minibar,
satellite TV, telephone, radio and room service. There is also a highly
pleasant and classy atmosphere surrounding the hotel. In the complex,
there is a Romanian, Italian and international restaurant, nightclub,
bar, garden restaurant, breakfast lounge, hi-tech conference hall, a
good tourist information office, parking area, hairdressing salon and a
casino.
See also County Braşov
for accommodation in other nearby towns
This website is a
general tourist guide, designed to help English-speaking tourists
understand Romania, and as such, provides historical
information for the interest of our traveller readers. History
can be a contentious issue, and we welcome input where readers think
clarification or correction is advisable. Please
e-mail us here
if you have questions or comments about anything in this history
section.
Early Braşov History
The Wolf Pups of Rome
Romulus and Remus suckle on their she-wolf
mother in front of the Braşov town hall.
The oldest traces of human activity and settlements in Braşov date back
to the Neolithic. Archaeologists, working from the last half of the 19th
century, discovered continuous traces of human settlements in areas
situated in Braşov: Valea Cetăţii, Pietrele lui Solomon, Şprenghi, Tâmpa,
Dealul Melcilor, and Noua.
The first three locations shows traces of
Dacian citadels; Şprenghi Hill housed a Roman-style construction. The last
two locations had their names applied to Bronze Age cultures —
Schneckenberg and Noua.
In subsequent periods, the inhabitants of Braşov were primarily
decendants of the Dacians (see
Origin of Romanians) who continued living in these
territories (especially in areas protected by mountains and hills), and
organized small polities.
Archaeological discoveries, including coins,
rings, metal tools, pottery, and settlements, have been dated from the
2nd-8th centuries. One such community was Ţara Bârsei, comprising several
villages.
A village named Cotun is mentioned in the area around Braşov
(the name draws similarities with a Dacian language word presumed to have
meant "village") - its latest development led to today's neighborhood of
Scheii Braşovului.
The Pecheneg People
The current Romanian and Hungarian names are derived from the
Pecheneg word, barasu, meaning "fortress".
The Pecheneg people were the Turkic people who inhabited much of the
Moldovan and Muntenian regions and into the Carpathians from 700 -
900AD, after the Visigoths had cleared out and just before meaningful
Hungarian influences. The Pecheneg language was an Oghuz Turkic
language spoken by the Pechenegs throughout Eastern Europe,
including Braşov. It went extinct by
the 12th century as the Pecheneg people were assimilated into the
local populations and latin-based language.
The population of that time consisted mainly of Christian shepherds
(who followed Eastern Orthodoxy after the Great Schism, some still in the
Arianist tradition).
The Romanian
settlement grew thanks to the diversification of their occupations - many
became well-established merchants, craftsmen (butchers, weavers,
carpenters, or builders), and clerics. Near the Orthodox church in Schei,
Romanian Braşovians founded the first school for Romanians at the end of
the 13th century.
German colonists known as the Transylvanian Saxons played a decisive
role in Braşov's development. These Germans were invited by King Géza II
of Hungary to develop towns, build mines, and cultivate the land of
Transylvania at different stages between 1141 and 1162.
The settlers came
primarily from the Rhineland, Flanders, and the Moselle region, with
others from Thuringia, Bavaria, Wallonia, and even France. In 1211, by order of King Andrew II of Hungary, the Teutonic Knights
fortified the Burzenland to defend the border of the Kingdom of Hungary.
Although the crusaders were evicted by 1225, the colonists they brought in
remained, as did three distinct settlements they founded on the site of Braşov,
namely "Corona" around the Black Church (Biserica Neagră); "Martinsberg", west of Cetăţuia Hill;
and "Bartholomä", on the eastern side of Sprenghi Hill.
Germans living in Braşov were mainly involved in trade and crafts. The
location of the city at the intersection of trade routes linking the
Ottoman Empire and Western Europe, together with certain tax exemptions,
allowed Saxon merchants to obtain considerable wealth and exert a strong
political influence.
They contributed a great deal to the architectural flavor of the city. Fortifications around the city were erected and
continually expanded, with several towers maintained by different
craftsmen's guilds, according to medieval custom. Part of the
fortification ensemble was recently restored using UNESCO funds, and other
projects are ongoing. At least two entrances to the city,
Poarta
Ecaterinei (or Ekaterinentor) and Poarta Schei are still in existence
(details above).
The
city center is marked by the mayor's office building (Ratshaus) and
the
surrounding square (piaţa), which includes one of the oldest buildings in
Braşov, the Hirscher Haus, owned by a wealthy merchant. Nearby is the
"Black Church" (Biserica Neagră), which some claim to be the largest
Gothic style church in Eastern Europe.
15th Century, Ethnic Romanians Denied
Once Braşov became a German colony, Romanians were denied several
privileges by the new German settlers. They were no longer recognized as
citizens of the city, and as such they were no longer able to continue to
practice their crafts and operate their businesses.
Additionally, their
religion (Orthodox) was not officially recognized throughout Transylvania,
especially during and after the 15th century. Most turned to shepherding
and smuggling as a result, ventures which still returned considerable
wealth - allowing them to build the very first community stone church in
Transylvania, to establish the first Romanian printing press in
Transylvania (1558), and later to establish a library.
The German burghers
still relied on Romanian speakers from within the community in their
dealings with the Hospodars of Wallachia and Moldavia, and occasionally
with the Ottoman Empire.
The cultural and religious importance of the Romanian church and school
in Schei is underlined by the generous donations received from more than
thirty hospodars of Moldavia and Wallachia, as well as that from Elizabeth
of Russia. In the 17th and 19th centuries, the Romanians in Schei
campaigned for national, political, and cultural rights, and were
supported in their efforts by Romanians from all other provinces, as well
as by the local Greek merchant community.
19th Century Romanian Resurgence
In 1838 they established the
first Romanian language newspaper, Gazeta Transilvaniei and the first
Romanian institutions of higher education (Şcolile Centrale Greco-Ortodoxe
- "The Greek-Orthodox Central Schools", today named after Andrei Şaguna).
The Holy Roman Emperor and sovereign of Transylvania Joseph II awarded
Romanians citizenship rights for a brief period during the latter decades
of the 18th century.
In 1918, when Transylvania became part of Romania, organizations of the
German minority from Transylvania declared their allegiance to the new
Romanian state. The inter-war period saw a flourishing of economic and
cultural life in general, which included the Saxons in Braşov as well.
However, at the end of World War II many ethnic Germans were forcibly
deported to the Soviet Union (see Communist Romania), and subsequently
many more emigrated to West Germany after Romania became a communist
country.
Jews have lived in Braşov since 1807, when Aron Ben Jehuda was given
permission to live in the city, a privilege until then granted only to
Saxons.
The Jewish Community of Braşov was officially founded 19 years
later, followed by the first Jewish school in 1864, and the building of
the synagogue in 1901. The Jewish population of Braşov expanded rapidly to
1280 people in 1910, and 4,000 in 1940. Today the community has about 230
members, after many families left for Israel between World War II and
1989.
Like many other cities in Transylvania, Braşov is also home for a
significant ethnic Hungarian minority.
During the communist period, industrial development was vastly
accelerated. Under Nicolae Ceauşescu's rule, the city was the site of the
1987 Braşov strike. This was repressed by the authorities and resulted in
numerous workers being imprisoned.
The Civilisation of Bread
A rather well-done display at the
Ethnographic Museum in Braşov, tying in with a
pan-European theme of how making bread makes European
civilisations.
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EvolutionKills, Hypatia, Hallipa, Nzpcmad, EBB, Nils, Masi27185 and
Ronline
Thanks for Reading our Information about Braşov in Transilvania!
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The
Beer Festival is a great little event which is very popular with the
locals and tourists alike. 
Around
Braşov ("Braşov meadows")
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Please Use the links above for Agenţi in each town. If you own a business, please check out our advertising options for Agenţi!, 
The
Fortress of Feldioara
The
Saxon Church
The
Braşov Memorial
See a Road Map of the Braşov Area
Hotel Aro Palace
to or Weekly
to or Weekly
to or Weekly
Braşov Downtown
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