“The clouds are stable and the birds are flying high.” Tavi, the local guide, predicted that we would have good weather. When there’s pressure in the Carpathian mountains the clouds will be flying and the birds still,” explained Tavi.
This was reassuring, as we were about to embark on a 2-hour walk through Brasov’s pedestrianised cobbled streets. Brasov is a compact mountainous city where you can still find remnants of medieval Saxon wall.
Why Brasov is worth visiting?
Western Europeans tend to overlook Brasov, the largest city in Transylvania. At least one royal is a fan of Brasov, the British monarch King Charles. He visits frequently and owns property in the city.
This colourful city grew on a hill near the southern slope of the Transylvanian Alps from a medieval castle built by Teutonic Knights over 600 years ago. Carpathians). It was fortified, with city walls and a citadel that was later destroyed. A few villages were also outside the wall. It was here that a Saxon colony (German) settled, renowned for their textile trade heritage. They called it Kronstadt.
There are still remnants from the fortifications. These include segments of the original Saxon walls and a few bastions. The Graft Bastion is located in the middle wall of the northwest.
In 1948, Nicolae Ceausescu’s Communist Party took control of the Romanian Social Democratic Party. By the early 1950s the group, with the support of Stalin, had gained full control over both the party and the country. The Museum of Living in Communism provides a glimpse into the Romanians’ everyday lives. There is also an interesting timeline that includes the 1988 overthrow of Ceausescu, which led to the free 1990 elections.
Council Square – Piata Sfatului
Fast forward to today, the Council Square of Brasov is now cheek-to-jowl with colourful Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings, a modernistic fountain, and the 13th-century town hall and clocktower at its heart- this is now the History Museum of Brasov.
Here you will find several museums, including the Hirscher House, Orthodox Cathedral and Museum of Urban Civilization.
I was impressed by the many alfresco restaurants in Brasov. As I sipped my morning coffee, I looked up to see the Brasov Hollywood sign on the top of Tampa Mountain.
Shopping around the square and the streets that fan out is all about craft shops selling highly embroidered clothes, wood carvings, intricate lace, pretty painted eggs – I bought one – woodcarvings, and hand-painted pottery.
The Black Church, Brasov
The Black Church, located in the Council Square, is perhaps the most interesting church of Brasov. It was originally called Saint Mary’s Church and is a popular landmark of the city. This 600-year old Gothic church in Brasov is held by a large Saxon community (German) as well as a Lutheran Evangelical congregation. Its dark brown colour contrasts with the otherwise colorful architecture. Some attribute the colouring to a fire that occurred in 1689. Others blame pollution. It is a huge church that can hold easily 5,000 people.
Palace of Justice
The beautiful eclectic Palace of Justice, built in 1902 for use as a Court, was built. Later it was used as the headquarters of Communist Party. On 15 November 1987 demonstrators forced their way into the building and threw portraits of the dictator Ceaușescu out of the windows. This marked the end of 42-years of communism.
The Palace of Justice was the scene of the anticommunist revolution of Brasov in 1989. In 1993 the Court of Appeal Brasov made the building its home along with the Prefecture of Brasov and the County Council.
The largest mechanical instrument in the country, and the largest collection Oriental carpets outside Turkey are both inside.
Catherine’s Gate
Catherine’s Gate with its four turrets is found through an archway on the way to the old town. The Tailors Guild built this fortified passageway as a defense system. Although it has a fairytale look, this is where many miscreants have been put to death.
Shei Gate is right next door, so take a look at it before you move on to Rope Street.
Rope Street
Rope Street (Strada Sforii), located close to the Black Church, is named so because it is long, a bit winding and (allegedly) the narrowest road in Europe with only 1.2 metres (4 feet) wide. It was once a corridor for firefighters and had a reputation for being a lover’s lane, mainly for illicit love. It can be a bit intimidating to walk along it, especially when the tall buildings seem to lean against each other. Now, it is adorned in graffiti and appears on Instagram as an interesting novelty.
Brans Castle
Brans Castle is only 16 miles away from Brasov. Bram Stocker’s stories about Count Dracula have always attracted a lot tourists to the spooky Brans castle, which dates back to the 14th century. Stocker never visited Brans Castle, which has no connection to Vlad the Impaler, who shares Dracula’s name. Yet the association is ingrained in the global imagination.
