The Romanian Traveller: Brasov - at a Crossroads between Cultures

  This special post is dedicated to those of you who are fascinated by Transylvania, or, better said, the myths behind it. Many people are stuck with the legend of Count Dracula, so much that they imagine a gloomy, vampire-esque atmosphere to characterize the central Romanian region. 
   

  As a matter of fact, our first Transylvanian stop will be Brasov, placed at the heart of the country, and one of the most important cities in Romania. What makes it special is that it mixes three cultures present on the Romanian territory. In fact, like many other cities in Transylvania, Brasov has a totally different outlook from Bucharest, or the general picture of Romanian cities. Brasov is a crossroads between Romanian, German and Hungarian architecture and atmosphere, as it was also part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As a matter of fact, Brasov is also known by the names of Kronstadt (German, meaning "Crown City"), and Brasso (Hungarian). Not to mention the fact that during the dark communist days of Stalin, its official name was Stalin City. 

   Apart from all this, Brasov is full of history, legends, and fairy-tale places, each of them present wherever you will go.

    And what can you visit?
     

   - The Black Church, a Gothic Cathedral, built at the end of the 14th century. Its dark colour was caused by the fire it went through during the Great Turkish War, in 1689. The Chruch is also the only Christian church hosting a collection of anatolian carpets. Talk about inter-religious tollerance! And also look for the son of Quasimodo on the roof of the church. Will not tell you more. You need a keen eye for detail, but you will see him. ;)
           

   - Strada Sforii (the Rope Street), which is the narrowest street in Eastern Europe. Once you're on it, you have no other choice but to keep walking. Nothing to stop for, nothing to see. But it is a funny feeling!
        

    - The Museum of History, located in the very center of the city, in the old Town Hall (Piata Sfatului). The building itself is fascinating, the entrance is very cheap, and you can find all sorts of testimonials of old Brasov life: artefacts, costumes, means of transport, documents and diplomas or guns. But what fascinated me the most was the reconstitution of a last century pharmacy and a newspaper publisher house. 
       

   - The Brasov Fortress (Cetate). There is a little bit of uphill walking involved, but it is well worth it. You will pass through a really elegant neighbourhood of the city, and, once arrived at the top, the medieval fortess looks simply like a different world. 
              

    - Mountain Tampa, a part of Postavarul Massif, in the Carpathian Mountains. Do not worry if you are not keen of trekking. There is always the option to climb and return by funicular cabin. But once you get on top, where the letters "BRASOV" are written in Hollywood-style, the view is simply breathtaking.

   As for practical information, I will tell you that Brasov is quite convenient, and there are lots of coffee-shops, restaurants, and an active night-life, with bars and clubs situated close to each other, so you won't have to travel too far. 

   That was another tea-spoon of culture and travel from Romania. And what I told you is just the beginning. There is so much more waiting to be discovered...