Cosmin's Guidebook

Sightseeing

Piata Sfatului station

The Council Square (Piața Sfatului in Romanian), is located in the historic centre of Brașov. It obtained its right to hold markets in 1520, but it has been the place for weekly and annual markets since 1364, being visited by merchants from the country and abroad.It is surrounded by 18th-19th century houses, most of which are historical monuments.

7 locals recommend

Piata Sfatului station

7 locals recommend

The Council Square (Piața Sfatului in Romanian), is located in the historic centre of Brașov. It obtained its right to hold markets in 1520, but it has been the place for weekly and annual markets since 1364, being visited by merchants from the country and abroad.It is surrounded by 18th-19th century houses, most of which are historical monuments.

The Black Church

Biserica Neagră or Black Church was built by the German community of the city and stands as the main Gothic style monument in the country, as well as being the largest and one of the most important Lutheran (Evangelical Church of Augustan Confession in Romania) places of worship in the region. A common misconception is that the Black Church got its name because it was sooted by the 1689 Brașov fire. However, 21st century studies have found no layers of fire destruction; the church has blackened simply because of environmental pollution after Brașov has turned into an industrial city in the 19th century. Furthermore, the name "Black Church" was not used until the end of the 19th century.

55 locals recommend

The Black Church

2 Curtea Johannes Honterus

55 locals recommend

Biserica Neagră or Black Church was built by the German community of the city and stands as the main Gothic style monument in the country, as well as being the largest and one of the most important Lutheran (Evangelical Church of Augustan Confession in Romania) places of worship in the region. A common misconception is that the Black Church got its name because it was sooted by the 1689 Brașov fire. However, 21st century studies have found no layers of fire destruction; the church has blackened simply because of environmental pollution after Brașov has turned into an industrial city in the 19th century. Furthermore, the name "Black Church" was not used until the end of the 19th century.

Schei Gate

Şchei Gate (Romanian: Poarta Schei) is right next to Catherine's Gate. It was built in between 1827 and 1828 in order to let through heightened traffic. Catherine's Gate was built up then and since then used as storage.The stone and brick gate built in classical style like a triumphal arch has three openings. The middle arch, shaped for traffic, is larger, and on its both sides there are two smaller and lower openings for pedestrians. The Latin inscriptions on the wall above the small arches let us know the construction date, but they also inform us that the gate was built after the Emperor of Austria Francis I visited Braşov in 1817.

37 locals recommend

Schei Gate

4 Strada Poarta Schei

37 locals recommend

Şchei Gate (Romanian: Poarta Schei) is right next to Catherine's Gate. It was built in between 1827 and 1828 in order to let through heightened traffic. Catherine's Gate was built up then and since then used as storage.The stone and brick gate built in classical style like a triumphal arch has three openings. The middle arch, shaped for traffic, is larger, and on its both sides there are two smaller and lower openings for pedestrians. The Latin inscriptions on the wall above the small arches let us know the construction date, but they also inform us that the gate was built after the Emperor of Austria Francis I visited Braşov in 1817.

Poarta Ecaterinei

Catherine's Gate (Romanian: Poarta Ecaterinei, German: Katherinenthor, Hungarian: Katalin-kapu) was built by the Tailors’ Guild, in 1559 for defensive purposes instead of an old gate destroyed by the flood in 1526. It is named after St. Catherine's Monastery that was situated here in former times. It is the only original city gate to have survived from medieval times. In fact the central tower is only a part of the original gate; documents talk about the existence of a wooden structure which was demolished in 1827. The original structure can be seen at the Weaver's Bastion where the large model of Braşov in 1600 is displayed.

38 locals recommend

Poarta Ecaterinei

38 locals recommend

Catherine's Gate (Romanian: Poarta Ecaterinei, German: Katherinenthor, Hungarian: Katalin-kapu) was built by the Tailors’ Guild, in 1559 for defensive purposes instead of an old gate destroyed by the flood in 1526. It is named after St. Catherine's Monastery that was situated here in former times. It is the only original city gate to have survived from medieval times. In fact the central tower is only a part of the original gate; documents talk about the existence of a wooden structure which was demolished in 1827. The original structure can be seen at the Weaver's Bastion where the large model of Braşov in 1600 is displayed.

Strada Sforii

Strada Sforii (Romanian pronunciation: [ˈstrada ˈsforij], meaning "Rope Street", German: Fadengasse) is the narrowest street in the city of Brașov, Romania. It is believed to be one of the narrowest streets in Europe (L'Androuno, in France, Spreuerhofstraße, in Germany, and Parliament Street, in England, are narrower). A man cannot fully spread his arms while on Strada Sforii. It is situated near Șchei Gate and it is perpendicular to Strada Cerbului (Stag Street). It was initially built as a corridor that firemen could use, and it is first mentioned in 17th century documents. Strada Sforii is now a tourist attraction and meeting spot. Its width varies between 111 and 135 centimetres (44 and 53 in), and it is 80 metres (260 ft) long.

136 locals recommend

Strada Sforii

136 locals recommend

Strada Sforii (Romanian pronunciation: [ˈstrada ˈsforij], meaning "Rope Street", German: Fadengasse) is the narrowest street in the city of Brașov, Romania. It is believed to be one of the narrowest streets in Europe (L'Androuno, in France, Spreuerhofstraße, in Germany, and Parliament Street, in England, are narrower). A man cannot fully spread his arms while on Strada Sforii. It is situated near Șchei Gate and it is perpendicular to Strada Cerbului (Stag Street). It was initially built as a corridor that firemen could use, and it is first mentioned in 17th century documents. Strada Sforii is now a tourist attraction and meeting spot. Its width varies between 111 and 135 centimetres (44 and 53 in), and it is 80 metres (260 ft) long.

Tâmpa

The mountain is mostly made up of limestone formations, having risen up gradually from the Earth's crust. Most of the mountain (1.5 km²) is a declared nature reserve, due to the rare animal species (bears, birds, butterflies—35% of Romanian butterfly species) and plant species (a rare Liverleaf variety, Transylvanian Windgrass) that are found there. A number of routes to the summit exist: there are 25 winding paths cut in 1837 by Brașov's forest administration; Gabony's stairs; the Knights' road, dating to the days of the Brașovia citadel; and an auto road. A cable car makes the journey between the cabin/restaurant Casa Pădurarului at the base of the mountain to the Restaurantul Panoramic, on its crest, in under three minutes. The view from the summit is spectacular, offering a panoramic view of the city; on a clear day, the entire Burzenland is visible.

200 locals recommend

Tâmpa

200 locals recommend

The mountain is mostly made up of limestone formations, having risen up gradually from the Earth's crust. Most of the mountain (1.5 km²) is a declared nature reserve, due to the rare animal species (bears, birds, butterflies—35% of Romanian butterfly species) and plant species (a rare Liverleaf variety, Transylvanian Windgrass) that are found there. A number of routes to the summit exist: there are 25 winding paths cut in 1837 by Brașov's forest administration; Gabony's stairs; the Knights' road, dating to the days of the Brașovia citadel; and an auto road. A cable car makes the journey between the cabin/restaurant Casa Pădurarului at the base of the mountain to the Restaurantul Panoramic, on its crest, in under three minutes. The view from the summit is spectacular, offering a panoramic view of the city; on a clear day, the entire Burzenland is visible.

Bastionul Țesătorilor

A number of the original guard towers on this side of Brasov's fortifications have survived remarkably well, and the first you will come to is the imposing Weavers' Bastion next to the Olimpia building. The best preserved part of Brasov's fortifications, the bastion (Bastionul Tesatorilor) houses a small but impressive museum (with some English captions) showing photographs of long-gone bastions, impressive weapons decorated with Arabic inscriptions (once used by the Turks to bash Saxons) and some huge guns. Most impressive of all is the large model of Brasov in 1600, made in 1896 for the Millennium Exhibition in Budapest (in those days Brasso was part of Hungary).

43 locals recommend

Bastionul Țesătorilor

9 Strada George Coșbuc

43 locals recommend

A number of the original guard towers on this side of Brasov's fortifications have survived remarkably well, and the first you will come to is the imposing Weavers' Bastion next to the Olimpia building. The best preserved part of Brasov's fortifications, the bastion (Bastionul Tesatorilor) houses a small but impressive museum (with some English captions) showing photographs of long-gone bastions, impressive weapons decorated with Arabic inscriptions (once used by the Turks to bash Saxons) and some huge guns. Most impressive of all is the large model of Brasov in 1600, made in 1896 for the Millennium Exhibition in Budapest (in those days Brasso was part of Hungary).

Turnul Alb

White Tower (a.k.a. Turnul Alb) is a former defensive tower on Warthe Hill which protected the west side of medieval Brasov. A steep staircase (250m) ascends to it from Bastionul Graft. Alternatively, a delightful (and less steep) path through the woods starts from the small canal just west of Strada Dupa-Ziduri, north of Bastionul Fierarilor. The 20m semi-circular tower was built in 1494 on top of a rock, and gets its name from its whitewash coating.

88 locals recommend

Turnul Alb

Calea Poienii

88 locals recommend

White Tower (a.k.a. Turnul Alb) is a former defensive tower on Warthe Hill which protected the west side of medieval Brasov. A steep staircase (250m) ascends to it from Bastionul Graft. Alternatively, a delightful (and less steep) path through the woods starts from the small canal just west of Strada Dupa-Ziduri, north of Bastionul Fierarilor. The 20m semi-circular tower was built in 1494 on top of a rock, and gets its name from its whitewash coating.

Turnul Negru

The tower located on a large rock on Warthe Hill. The purpose of the tower was to deny enemy soldiers access to the city walls, which, in this case, were no further than 5 meters (the pass was only widened in 1819–1820).

58 locals recommend

Turnul Negru

Strada Gheorghe Bariţiu

58 locals recommend

The tower located on a large rock on Warthe Hill. The purpose of the tower was to deny enemy soldiers access to the city walls, which, in this case, were no further than 5 meters (the pass was only widened in 1819–1820).

Cetățuia de pe Strajă

Strategically overlooking the town and the plains to north, the citadel is part of Brasov's outer fortification system. In 1524 the first wooden defence walls were erected, replaced between 1554 and 1690 by the four massive stone bastions you see now. The citadel was abandoned in the 17th century, after technological innovations made cannons stronger than the building. The Citadel has in recent years hosted a restaurant, cafe and nightclub amongst other things, never fulfilling its real potential. It is, however, gorgeously lit at night, and there are splendid views if you care to walk all the way up.

66 locals recommend

Cetățuia de pe Strajă

7 Strada Dealul Cetăţii

66 locals recommend

Strategically overlooking the town and the plains to north, the citadel is part of Brasov's outer fortification system. In 1524 the first wooden defence walls were erected, replaced between 1554 and 1690 by the four massive stone bastions you see now. The citadel was abandoned in the 17th century, after technological innovations made cannons stronger than the building. The Citadel has in recent years hosted a restaurant, cafe and nightclub amongst other things, never fulfilling its real potential. It is, however, gorgeously lit at night, and there are splendid views if you care to walk all the way up.

Poiana Brașov

Poiana Brașov (Romanian pronunciation: [poˈjana braˈʃov], German: Schulerau; Hungarian: Brassópojána) is a neighborhood of Brașov and a Romanian ski resort popular among visitors from many European states.It is located at about 1,020 meters[1] (3,379 feet) above sea level near the city of Brașov in Romania and it is easily accessible by road. There are regular buses operated by Brașov Transit (RAT Brașov) which serve the 12 km route between Brașov and Poiana Brașov (line 20 and 100). 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.Poiana Brașov is host to a number of hotels and restaurants, the majority of which cater for foreign tourists. Two of the better known restaurants are Șura Dacilor (The Dacians' Barn) and Coliba Haiducilor (The Outlaws' Shack).

214 locals recommend

Poiana Brașov

214 locals recommend

Poiana Brașov (Romanian pronunciation: [poˈjana braˈʃov], German: Schulerau; Hungarian: Brassópojána) is a neighborhood of Brașov and a Romanian ski resort popular among visitors from many European states.It is located at about 1,020 meters[1] (3,379 feet) above sea level near the city of Brașov in Romania and it is easily accessible by road. There are regular buses operated by Brașov Transit (RAT Brașov) which serve the 12 km route between Brașov and Poiana Brașov (line 20 and 100). 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.Poiana Brașov is host to a number of hotels and restaurants, the majority of which cater for foreign tourists. Two of the better known restaurants are Șura Dacilor (The Dacians' Barn) and Coliba Haiducilor (The Outlaws' Shack).