In the previous article, I told you about the beginning of our trip – how we did not get to see the Sphinx and Babele, but we did visit Dracula’s Castle (Bran Castle). After that, we spent some time in Brasov. We also decided to stay in this city overnight, so we explored it by day and night with no worries.
We still did not have a lot of time, so we only visited the centre area of the city. But all the great attractions are usually in the heart of the city anyway. And you don’t need more than a few hours to find reasons to appreciate this beautiful place!
Brasov
The city was first mentioned in a document in the 13th century. It was called Corona (Latin for “crown”). Brasov was very important in the past because of its location. It connected the trade routes between the East and the West and many merchants in the area became rich because of this.
One of the things you will notice about Brasov is that it is surrounded by hills to one side. While strolling in the centre area, you will see the hills rising behind beautiful buildings. You’ll see the name of the city as a Hollywood-style sign on those hills. It’s a wonderful sight!
The Council Square (Piata Sfatului)
It is an open and vibrant area. You’ll see people walking or just sitting on a bench. In the areas, there are little streets filled with many shops that sell clothing, jewelry and souvenirs. If you want to eat or have a cup of coffee, there are many restaurants and terraces to choose from. The area is very lively both at day and at night.
As we were walking the streets, I couldn’t help but think about how much it resembles the city of Vienna. Both cities have those narrow streets filled with shops, terraces and people that seem to be so familiar in Europe. I think you can only find this in certain place in Europe.
The Black Church
This is one of the famous landmarks in Brasov and also the largest church in Romania. It is a Gothic church that was built in the 14th – 15th century. Initially, it was called The Church of Saint Mary. There was a fire in the area in 1689 that affected the church and gave the walls this smoky, black color – hence the new name of the church.
I did not know this at the time, but according to Wikipedia, there is a really big organ inside the church that dates back to 1839. It has almost 4000 pipes! There are organ concerts that you can attend sometimes (for a small fee). If you can, visit the church and listen to a concert!
If you are a vegetarian…
It was a bit hard for us to find great food since we do not eat meat or dairy products. If you have a special diet, it may be a good idea to look for restaurants in advance. Otherwise, you can still find vegetarian dishes, but you will have few options and they may not be that tasty.
As I said, I think that Brasov is a beautiful city. It has that medieval city vibe that makes you wonder what life was like a few centuries ago. But it’s also modern and full of life! I am sure that there are more things to see in Brasov, so it’s probably a good idea to make sure you have a full day to explore it!
