BRASHOV

Once upon a time, Transylvania was the territory of Hungary. The Hungarian king, who was afraid of the Ottoman Empire, invited a German-origin knight society (Teutonic Knights) to protect Transylvania. They founded Braşov in the 13th century.

Due to the fact that it is on the trade routes and exempt from taxation, an incredible wealth has been accumulated here. For this reason, the architecture of this place is just like a fairy tale.

The city is wandered by walking the most beautiful cobblestones, getting lost without a route among the sugar houses from Hansel & Gretel, sipping coffee in hipster cafes.

There is a cable car that overlooks the city, but we couldn't get on it because it was out of order. We found the solution to climb a castle on the mountain opposite. The German population living here either immigrated to West Germany or was forcibly exiled to Soviet Russia when Romania passed to the communist regime after World War II. Germans to this day are only 0.5% of the population.

One of the first reactions against the government during the Ceausescu era started in Braşov in 1987. Hundreds of aggrieved workers took to the streets to demand their basic needs such as food. Although there were casualties in the clashes between Ceausescu's soldiers and the people, it ignited a series of events that would later change the history of the country.

Now Braşov is the second most touristic city in Romania after the capital Bucharest. It does not disappoint the expectations of the visitors with its architecture, cafes and restaurants. The heart of the city has been beating in Piata Sfatului since the Middle Ages, as countless restaurants, cafes and accommodation facilities are gathered here. A real German Marktplatz. In the middle of the square are the Trumpeter Tower and the Casa Sfatului, the council building. In this tower, trumpet players in traditional costumes play from time to time.

You know, Dracula's hometown of Romania is a place of strong superstition. What werewolves, zombie stories came out of these lands. Although it is not as popular as it used to be, there are still superstitious people, even those who believe in supernatural creatures.

These beliefs are also ingrained in Piata Sfatului's character: This is the place where many women were burned to death during the witch hunt in the Middle Ages. 😮 Click for location. Number 2 on the map.