Brasov

Why Brasov works

Brasov was founded by Transylvanian Saxon merchants in the 13th century, and their fortified, orderly old town survives largely intact at the foot of Mount Tâmpa, with a Hollywood-style "Brasov" sign visible on the slope above — reachable by cable car for a full view over the terracotta rooftops to the surrounding Carpathian peaks. The Black Church, Romania's largest Gothic building, takes its name from a 17th-century fire that scorched its stone walls; inside, it holds one of the largest collections of Oriental carpets in Europe, gifted by Saxon merchants who traded with the Ottoman Empire. Council Square (Piața Sfatului), the town's central plaza, is ringed by pastel merchant houses and cafes, with the old Council House's clock tower marking its centre. Just outside town, the fortified Rope Street (Strada Sforii) is reputed to be one of the narrowest streets in Europe, barely wide enough for two people to pass. Brasov makes the natural base for visiting Bran Castle, roughly 30 kilometres away, whose turrets and hilltop setting have made it internationally famous as "Dracula's Castle" through its loose association with the Bram Stoker legend — the interior, a mix of royal Romanian furnishings and defensive medieval architecture, is worth the visit regardless of the folklore. Peleș Castle, a Neo-Renaissance royal residence near Sinaia, adds a second, equally striking day trip from Brasov.

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