Today we will take you on a trip to central Romania, where you can enjoy many different kinds of tourism, from cultural tourism to adventure tourism. If you intend to visit Brasov, a city boasting a long history and many tourist attractions, which is also located close to a famous mountain resort, make sure you book a room at least one week in advance. We will also try to give you some tips, if you have only a couple of days available to visit the city. Listing the top destinations in the city is no easy task, as Brasov is bursting with things to do and places to see. However, today we’ll be looking at 5 tourist attractions that shouldn’t be missed.
It’s situated in the centre of Brasov, is over 500 years old and is definitely the landmark of the city – were talking, of course, about the Black Church. Located in the very heart of Brasov, the church is within walking distance of everywhere in the centre, making it easy to visit no matter where you happen to be staying. It is the biggest Gothic church in Transylvania and, according to some historians, is the biggest religious building located between Vienna and Istanbul. It also hosts the largest organ in Europe and an impressive collection of old Anatolyan carpets. Steffen Markus Schlandt is the organist of the Black Church. He’ll be our guide to the church and will also give us details about the origins of the impressive carpet collection that the church hosts.
”In the wake of the Mongol invasions of 1241, strong fortification walls were built. They made the town safe, as it was difficult to conquer… so Brasov flourished. It saw its first period of flourishing between the 16th century and the late 17th century. The town, with its trade relations with the Romanian Principalities and the Ottoman Empire, developed at an incredibly fast pace during that period. The guilds in Brasov were producing products that were highly sought after. Brasov traded extensively with the Ottoman Empire, and this is how Anatolyan carpets found their way to the Black Church. Traders used to buy a carpet as a sign of prosperity. They were finally donated to the church. And now the Black Church boasts the largest collection of Ottoman carpets, outside Turkey’s borders.”
A visit to the town, which dates back to the Middle Ages and which celebrates 775 years of existence in 2010, should definitely include a trip to the old stronghold. Professor Radu Stefanescu, director of the Brasov County History Museum has told us that only parts of the old stronghold have been preserved, because the town developed at a fast pace, extended outwards, and its walls were increasingly difficult to preserve intact. Later on, as besieging techniques were perfected, the importance of fortifications decreased. But things were different in the beginning…
”Built on the top of a hill in 1395, the stronghold was one of the most powerful in Transylvania. In the beginning, the fortification system of the stronghold was made up of three wall belt, with 32 towers and 7 bastions, of which only a small part has been preserved. There were also four exterior defence towers, and a watch-tower. Two of these have been preserved to this day. They have been restored and turned into small museums.”
Any complete tour of the city should take in the Council House, as Radu Stefanescu, curator of the Brasov County Museum of History, explains.
”The Council House, one of Brasov’s landmarks, was first documented in 1420 as the headquarters of the furriers’ guild. Our museum also looks after the Weavers’ Bastion, one of the city’s remaining structures of this kind. The Bastion, as well as the Council House, hosts permanent exhibitions. The Weavers’ Bastion is home to the “Brasov Citadel and Fortifications in Burzenland” exhibition. The center-piece is a beautiful model of the citadel that is more than 100 years old, and was built by Friedrich Herman, a man from Brasov. The artwork is exceptional, as is the piece in its entirety. This model is regarded as a part of our national cultural heritage.”
No visit to Brasov is complete without a walk down the narrow passageway that connects the streets Cerbului and Poarta Schei, first documented in the 17th century. The passageway was built as an corridor for improving access for firemen. Today it is one of the city’s most interesting attractions. Some claim this is Europe’s narrowest street. Its width ranges between 111 and 135 centimeters, making it at least the narrowest street in Brasov. The 80-meter-long passageway, known as Strada Sforii, meaning Rope Street, is a meeting point for lovers and also a great spot for taking photographs.
The Museum of the First Romanian School, our last destination on today’s trip, is housed in the building of an old school found inside the courtyard of Saint Nicholas’ Church. It was first documented in 1495, and was redecorated in the Baroque style between 1760 and 1761. It has retained this appearance to this day. This landmark appeals to anyone interested in the history and culture of the Romanian people. Is boasts over 6 thousand old books and 30 thousand documents, constituting the largest national cultural heritage of its kind, all relating to the first ever Romanian school.
This concludes today’s radio journey. However, don’t forget to take part in our contest. By answering our questions correctly can you win a trip to Brasov itself, a beautiful city that we’ll be sure to visit again in our next editions of Travellers Guide.
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2010-09-10
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