ROMANIA : BRASOVBrasov is the capital of the Brasov county
in Romania. The population of Brasov is 283,901, according to the 2002
census. The city was named Orasul Stalin, after Joseph Stalin, from 1951
to 1961.Brasov is located in the central part of the country, at about
166 km from Bucharest and surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains. It is
part of the Transylvania region.
Also known by the German name of Kronstadt, the city of Brasov is one of
the largest and most cherished cities of the country. Surrounded on
three sides by mountains, it was a perfect place for a medieval
settlement. The old city, founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211, is
one of the best preserved. Lately it was thoroughly restored. Johannes
Honterus (1498-1549), who led the Protestant Reformation in the area,
established the first printing press in Transylvania here. The first
book in Romanian language was also printed in Brasov, by the deacon
Coresi, in the 16th century.
At its origin, Brasov was the center of a powerful Saxon colony trading
in cloth, weapons, metalwork, and wax throughout much of Walachia and
Moldavia. Heavily fortified in the 15th century to withstand the attacks
of the Ottomans, the city survived with little damage. Among the
historic buildings is the city hall, erected in 1420, and the 190-foot
watchtower, also called Trumpeter's Tower. Beside its economical power,
Brasov has always been a major cultural center.
Brasov's natural tourist potential is closely connected with its
geographical situation between mountains. The nearby Eastern and
Southern Carpathians are able to satisfy the tastes and desires of all
tourists who like either winter sports or summer sports. Three important
resorts (Poiana Brasov, Predeal, Sinaia) offer tourists a wide range of
winter and summer sports like skiing, snowboarding, driving snowmobiles,
swimming, climbing, tennis and roller skating.
Visitors can walk down the streets that surround the old Town hall, all
the way to the city walls up to one of the original city gates, Poarta
Schei with its four towers. The Art Museum has some valuable Romanian
paintings, while the History Museum awaits the visitor in a medieval
setting inside the old fortress. The biggest attraction in town is 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 establishment was recently restored, and tourists can now fully
enjoy listening to organ concerts or admire the enchanting oriental rug
collection. Being always an important tourist centre, the city of Brasov
has some fine hotels and restaurants, of which the most known are "Aro
Hotel" and the "Cetate" restaurant, famous for the authentic Romanian
cuisine and medieval interior.
