Situated
in the heart of the Prahova
Valley, it was a prime
trading route for many
centuries, and fought for in
many battles for territorial
rites. Despite these many
battles, and its rocky
history, Brasov continues to
thrive, and you will not be
disappointed. Highlights of
Brasov include the Gothic
Protestant Church built
between 1385 and 1477. It is
known by the name of "Black
Church" because of its
smoke-blackened walls after
a fire in 1689. The church
was recently restored, and
tourists can now enjoy organ
concerts or admire the
enchanting Oriental rug
collection. Piata Sfatului,
the main square of Brasov,
and one of the finest in
Europe, is the heart of
Brasov. Restaurants and
shops litter the square,
with varieties ranging from
Asian to Italian, and of
course traditional Romanian.
Umbrella covered terraces,
and a number of pubs to
quench your thirst, Piata
Sfatului is a great spot,
even to sit at the water
fountain and watch life pass
by.
On
the west side of the old
town, where the old walls
are still standing, you can
walk down picturesque Strada
Dupa Ziduri (Behind the
Walls Street) to catch a
glimpse of the White and
Black towers, built in the
15th century to watch over
and defend the town. The
White Tower, erected between
1460- 1494 is shaped as a
closed semicircle with the
right side pointing towards
the city and it is 14 meters
high. The elevated entrance
made outsider’s access
difficult. The tower was
restored in 1723 after the
fire in 1689 and repainted
white. The Black Tower was
built in 1494 on a rock on
Starja Hill, close to the
Blacksmith’s Bastion. It’s
shaped as a square and it is
11 meters high. The roof of
the tower was destroyed in
1599 by lightning and the
walls were blackened by the
fire caused by the lightning
which explains its name.
Since then it has been
damaged several times either
by lightings or heavy rains
and it was last restored in
1996. Its pyramid shaped
roof distinguishes it from
the White Tower. It now
houses a museum with four
floors each reached by a
narrow wooden ladder, with
small displays of war
related artifacts.
Both
towers offer an amazing view
of the city, especially at
night. Graft Bastion (Bastionul
Graft) : built in 1521, it
was thoroughly renovated,
and its four levels are now
all open for visit. At the
top levels visitors have the
chance to admire several
exhibits of medieval
objects, artifacts, weapons,
all very interesting and
well preserved.
Another important part of
the old fortification system
is the Brasov Fortress which
overlooked the city. At
first the structure was made
out of wood, but in the 16th
century it was rebuilt in
stone. It was abandoned one
century later as
technological and military
progress made it too weak to
withstand an attack.
You would not want to miss
walking on Stada Sforii, the
narrowest street in Europe,
only 1.3 meters wide. It was
built in the
15th century as a means of
access for firemen and it is
today one Brasov’s unique
attractions.
Among Brasov’s five gates,
built to keep invaders
outside the city walls, two
are left standing to tell
the story of medieval Brasov:
Ecaterina’s Gate and Schei
Gate. Both of them are on
the south-west part of the
fortress. The others which
were mainly located on the
northern side of the walls
were demolished in the 19th
century mainly because they
came in the way of traffic.
If you let your imagination
run free, a walk around
Brasov is like a journey in
time definitely worth a few
pages in your travel log.
Email this Page to a Friend
Other Destinations in
Transylvania
•
Sighisoara
•
Sibiu
•
Cluj-Napoca
Attractions
•
Black
Church
• St. Nicholas Church
• Piata Sfatului
Click here for Tours
available in Brasov
