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                BRASOV TRAVEL GUIDE


Brasov is located in the central part of the country, about 166 km from Bucharest. It is
surrounded by the Southern Carpathians, and is part of the Transylvania region. The city
is notable for hosting the Golden Stag (Cerbul de Aur) international music festival. It is the
7th largest Romanian city, after Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, Iasi, Craiova and
Galati. People from Brasov are known, in English, as Brasovian.

Brasov (pronounced Bra-SHOV), known as Kronstadt in German or Brassó in Hungarian
has a population of 283,901 and is the 7th largest city in Romania. It is located almost in
the center of the country and surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains. The city provides a
mix of wonderful mountain scenery in the nearby Poiana Brasov and medieval history with
German influences in the old town. The city is 176 km from Bucharest.

Brasov is up there with Sinaia and the surrounding mountain resorts as the most visited
city in Transylvania, Romania, and this is something that's not in vain. Brasov boasts
everything from dynamic modern life city life to old world charm and fascinating scenery.
Also, it's pleasant to have some of the extras as well, including some of the best
cleanliness records in the country, great transport and great food. Even though it's a bit
overpriced for Romanian standards, especially in the high season, Brasov is definitely
worth it. As some people say, "Why bother coming to Romania if you're not going to see
Brasov?"

The Brasov county is one of the most visited by tourists. Other than Brasov city and its
immediate attractions, the resorts of Poiana Brasov (12 km west) and Predeal (27 km
south), which also offer great tourism too. Other places and tourist attractions of the
county: Bran, Moeciu, Rasnov, Fagaras, Prejmer, Zarnesti, Sambata (at the foot of
Fagaras Mountains).

Brasov has relatively cold and wet weather, especially at night. This region of Romania
enjoys four seasons (i.e. spring and autumn as well as winter and summer). The
average temperature is 7.6 degrees Celsius only, even though in summer temperatures
may reach up to 35 degrees Celsius. Due to fairly large minority populations, Hungarian
and German are also spoken in addition to Romanian. Many locals also speak English.

The oldest traces of human activity and settlements in Brasov date back to the Neolithic.
Archaeologists, working from the last half of the 19th century, discovered continuous
traces of human settlements in areas situated in Brasov: Valea Cetatii, Pietrele lui
Solomon, Sprenghi, Tâmpa, Dealul Melcilor, and Noua. The first three locations shows
traces of Dacian citadels; Sprenghi Hill housed a Roman-style construction. The last two
locations had their names applied to Bronze Age cultures — Schneckenberg and Noua.

German colonists known as the Transylvanian Saxons played a decisive role in Brasov's
development. These Germans were invited by King Géza II of Hungary to develop towns,
build mines, and cultivate the land of Transylvania at different stages between 1141 and
1162. The settlers came primarily from the Rhineland, Flanders, and the Moselle region,
with others from Thuringia, Bavaria, Wallonia, and even France.

In 1211, by order of King Andrew II of Hungary, the Teutonic Knights fortified the
Burzenland to defend the border of the Kingdom of Hungary. Although the crusaders were
evicted by 1225, the colonists they brought in remained, as did three distinct settlements
they founded on the site of Brasov:


                    GENERAL INFORMATION


Country                  Romania
County                   Brasov County
Status                    County capital
Area                       267.2 km² (103.2 sq mi)
Elevation               600 m (1,969 ft)
Population            284,596


                       PLACE TO VISIT


Old Town - including the Black Church and main square or Council Square (Piata
Sfatului). Features medieval buildings in different architectural styles. Everything is
situated around the main square (Piata Sfatului). The picturesque pedestrian-only
Republicii street, the Black Church, former Council House, indoor and outdoor terraces
and restaurants, the Orthodox Cathedral, Muresenilor House, the Hirscher House, the
Schei Gate and the Ecaterina Gate.

The Black Church - a celebrated Gothic site - the building dates from 1477, when
it replaced an older church (demolished around 1385). Its acquired the name after being
blackened by smoke from the 1689 great fire.

Town Museum - located in the town hall, has some intersting exhibits from the
stone age to the present day.

Panoramic Tâmpa - Beautiful view of the old city and the surrounding nature from
900 meters above sea-level. Tâmpa is the mountain that you see from any point in
Brasov, with a large TV transmitter antenna on top. The antenna building also houses a
restaurant and a cable car station. Accessible on foot (1h hike, sometimes steep, but low
difficulty level nonetheless, recommended in snow-less seasons only) and also by cable
car (called Telecabinã).

The Brasov Citadel (aka Cetatea Brasov) - Situated atop the Citadel Hill (Dealul
Cetatii). This 16th Century fortress-like citadel houses several restaurants with outdoor
terraces, a bar, a winery, an armory, an 81 metres (240 ft.) deep fountain, four defense
towers and, of course, a night-club. Makes for some great pictures inside and out.

Strada Sforii (Rope Street) - Narrowest street in Europe, around 1.3 metres (4 ft.)
wide. Newly renovated in 2003.

The Schei district - outside the citadel is the first Romanian site, surrounding the
fortress. Main attractions: Biserica Sf. Nicolae (St. Nicholas church) - orthodox, situated in
Piata Unirii (the Union Square); Prima Scoala Romaneasca (The First Romanian
Elementary School) - 400 years old, located in the yard of St. Nicholas Church; many
religious monuments along the narrow and very beautiful streets of the district. A natural
main wonderful attraction is Pietrele lui Solomon (the Solomon rocks) located at the very
end of the district.

St. Bartholomew Church (Biserica Sf. Bartolomeu) - located in the Old Brasov
(Brasovul vechi) is the oldest church of these sites.

Valea Cetatii district also known as Racadau district is a residential area, but has
an outstanding natural landscape. This new (built in the 80's) neighbourhood is located
at the foot of Tampa mountain on the eastern part of it. One can easily make a walking
course between this district and the old citadel, either by surrounding the mountain
(aorund 1h.45min walking) or cross the mountain (approx. 1h.15min walking). This is
recommended only in summertime and usually in groups with a guide.

Bran Castle - nearby, also called Dracula's Castle. It is located in a town called Bran,
that is very small and just grew up around the castle. The best way to get there is by bus.
The bus for Bran leaves from the Autogara II (the second bus station) about every half
hour for the whole day. You have to buy the ticket on board and it costs 3.50 RON each
way. You can arrive to the Autogara II or from the center, the bus 12 leaves from Piata
Unirii, or from the Autogara I (the bus station in front of the train station) by bus dashed 23
(it has a 23 written on in, with a dash on the number). Once you are in Bran follow the
tourists through a street full of stands selling things for tourists to the Bran museum,
where there is the castle and a small countryside museum; you can go walking all the
time because the town is very small. As of 21 Nov 2007, the entrance fee was 12 RON for
an adult and an additional 10 RON for a camera (although if you do not make your
camera visible, you can likely get away with not paying the extra 10 RON).

Râsnov town - also home to an intersting citadel. A taxi from the bus stop (same
bus that goes to Bran Castle) to the Citadel is around 3-4 RON. Inside the citadel you can
find an interesting museum, archery, a cafe/tavern, and some excellent views of the city
and surrounding mountains.

Tâmpa, a small mountain in the middle of the city (900m above sea level), a
sightseeing spot near the old city center.


                       WHAT TO DO

Hiking and trekking - Brasov is the place to start for most people who visit
Romania with a mind for mountain adventure.

Ski - According to Eastern Euro Tours on the Gold Coast, Romania is the place to ski in
Eastern Europe. And the crown jewel of the Romanian ski resorts is Poiana Brasov, 12
km. (8 mi.) away from Brasov's city center. Set in the pine forests of the Carpathian arch,
at around 1700 m (5000 ft.) altitude, with 19 marked runs and 35 km. of unmarked runs,
Poiana Brasov has its slopes designated with different difficulty levels, making it easy for
beginners and advanced skiers to choose. Part of Transylvania, it is 18 km. (11 mi.) away
from Bran Castle, also named Dracula Castle. A six-day ski pass costs less than $200.

Zilele Brasovului (The Feast Days of Brasov) - usually take place within the week
proceeding the Orthodox Easter Holidays. It has several fairs of craftsman, wine, food,
etc. It is a feast of joy and fun. These celebrations are ended with the Parades of Juni, a
very old preserved tradition. The end is on the so called Duminica Tomii (the first Sunday
of Easter).

Cerbul de Aur annual music festival, usually held in August-September. On one
hand, it brings hundreds of pop artists and musicians, contestants and big-name
modern and classic stars. On the other, it clutters the best spot in the city (main square)
with tons of heavy iron scaffoldings, for a large part of summer and fall.

The Beer Festival (Festivalul Berii) - is smaller and more popular with the locals
and tourists. Usually held in the fall. Dozens of tents from several beer companies offer
their products. Also, you will be able to get a taste of mici (Romanian grilled sausages)
and other traditional foods. Local and national bands and artists of all persuasions take
the stage.


                       HOW TO REACH


By plane - Currently Brasov has no civilian airport but plans exist for an airport to be
operational as soon as 2008, built by IntelCan and operated by Ottawa International
Airport.

By train - Getting to Brasov is very easy, due to the fact that it is a major Romanian
railway hub. Between Bucharest, the capital, there are 19 trains daily, and there are also
frequent trains from other Romanian cities as well as a daily connection to Budapest,
Hungary (via Oradea) and a EuroNight (fast night train) connection to Budapest via Arad.
There are daily trains from Wien,Krakow,Prague. Also due to its affordability and comfort,
train is the best way of reaching Brasov. Even though all Romanian trains are
increasingly comfortable, try to take the InterCity (IC) trains, of which there are three per
day. These are very modern and comfortable, as they are an initiative of the state railways
to reinvigorate Romania's transport sector. "Rapid" trains are also comfortable and
almost as fast as InterCities. "Accelerat" trains are also a fast alternative, lacking the kind
of comfort an InterCity or Rapid train would provide. Do not, however, take trains labeled
as Personal (or abbreviated as P before their route number) to Brasov. There are 4 of
these per day, and, besides the fact that some of them are quite low on comfort, they take
nearly twice the time to get there, since they stop at every stop. If you really are forced to
take them (even though there are Rapid and IC trains at very accessible times all day), at
least buy a first-class ticket.

By car - Aside from the train, car is one of the most popular ways of reaching Brasov,
due to its fairly good road connections. Road E60 will be the main road to use in and out
or Brasov, because this European Road links Brasov to Bucharest in the south, as well
as Cluj-Napoca, Oradea and Budapest, Hungary in the west. Road E68 will take you to
Sibiu and further onwards to Arad and Timisoara. Road E574 takes you into the north, to
the Moldavia region and the Painted Monasteries and Iasi. The nearest airport to Brasov
is Bucharest Otopeni, which is 166 km away and accessible directly by road E60. A
highway is also being built that, by 2007, will link Bucharest to Brasov and Brasov to Cluj-
Napoca and Oradea.

Parking can be difficult in Brasov, specially due to the fact that coins are scarce after the
new lei has been introduced. Do as the brasovians, park where you find a free spot. The
police don't seem to bother much with such a small crime...

By bus - Recently, there are quite a few intercity bus operators, but these aren't as
comfortable and reliable as the train. Brasov does not have an airport yet (one is in being
built), due to its proximity to Bucharest and Sibiu, which both do. Consequently, you will
need to take land transport if you're flying in to Bucharest. All coaches stop in the city
center, and so do trains, due to the fact that the railway station is very central.