Black ChurchBuilt between 1385 and 1477 on the site of an earlier church (destroyed by Mongol invasions in 1242), the construction of the Marienkirche, as it was known in German, was hampered by extensive damage caused by Turkish raids in 1421. The church was given its new name after disaster struck again in 1689, when the Great Fire leveled most of the town, blackening the walls of the church. Restoration took almost 100 years. Of two towers planned, only one was finished.
Nowadays the church has only three from the six bells which existed at first. The big bell, having a 6300 kilos weight, is the biggest church bell in Romania. It has an extremely beautiful sound and it can be heard on the occasion of the great church holidays.
The church comprises six portals, representing different architectural styles from Gothic to Renaissance style. The portal placed on the East side of the church was built in 1436 by Matei Corvin, a Transylvanian ruler. He also added a fresco to the interior gate. Inside the church there are three naves split by pillars. Gothic elements mix with Baroque.
On the Southeast portal there is a fresco, dating 15th century, representing Saint Mary sitting on a throne with Jesus in her arms, surrounded by angels and Saint Ecaterina and Barbara.
On the North side there is a Golden gate with a small portico placed somewhere between the buttresses. The portico is covered by a simple ogive and on the facade there is a semicircular arch. Right above there are sculptured leaves, reminiscence of the Gothic style.
The Council SquareThe former Markplatz square obtained its right to held markets in 1520, but it has been the place for annual markets since 1364 being visited by merchants from the country and abroad. The houses surrounding the square speak of a rich history
Around the main square you can find the picturesque pedestrian-only Republicii street, the Black Church, former Council House, indoor and outdoor terraces and restaurants, the Orthodox Cathedral, Mureşianu's House, the Hirscher House and more. On Tâmpa Hill, located on the southern side of the city, there was a citadel called Brassovia, and the remains can be seen there today, along with the Weavers tower
The Black TowerThe tower was built in 1494 on a rock on Starja Hill, near the Blacksmiths' bastion. It has a square shape and it is 9 m high. In 1599 the tower was destroyed by lightning. So, it's got it's name from its walls being blackened by the fire caused by the lightning. Today, it is no longer black.
Because Brasov and the surrounding region were repeatedly raided by the Turks and Tatars the town decided to fortify itself. In the 15th century the Saxons build a defence wall which was once 12 meters high and two meters thick and stretched for 3 km. They also erected seven bastions around the city, and the guarding of the bastions was entrusted to guilds. Parts of the walls still remain today and can be seen along the Dupa Ziduri Street (Dupa Ziduri means Behind the Walls). Of the original seven bastions a few survived, including the squared Black Tower which lies at the west of the old city wall. The tower built in 1494 now houses a museum, and they charge a small fee for seeing a museum but frankly there's not much to see inside. From the top you do get a nice view of the Black Church but you get almost the same view from the iron balcony surrounding the tower
White TowerThe White Tower is located 60 m far away from the citadel's walls, near the Graft bastion. It is high up on the hill and you'll have to climb some 200 steps up to it. The construction was erected between 1460-1494. It has a semicircular shape and it is 14m high. A wooden staircase spirals up four levels. If you reach the top floor, you won't be deceived by the view over the old town.
It’s shaped as a square and it is 11 meters high. The roof of the tower was destroyed in 1599 by lightning and the walls were blackened by the fire caused by the lightning which explains its name. Since then it has been damaged several times either by lightings or heavy rains and it was last restored in 1996. Its pyramid shaped roof distinguishes it from the White Tower. It now houses a museum with four floors each reached by a narrow wooden ladder, with small displays of war related artifacts
Weavers' Bastion The medieval fortress was built by a guild of weavers as a defense against the southern part of the citadel of Corona, now known as Brasov. Its massive walls connected towers and bastions, and, if needed, the inner yard could shelter a few hundred guilders and their goods.
Built during 1421-1436 and rebuilt in 1570-1573, this is the largest medieval bastion in Brasov and the best-preserved among the seven original watchtowers constructed around the city walls.
The Old Town Hall Built in the 13th century, the house served as meeting place for the town councilors, known as centurions
Schei District used to be the only entrance for the Romanians living in Schei. They were not allowed to use the other four entrances. During the Saxon rule of the 13th to 17th century Romanians were forbidden from owning property inside the fortress walls and such they settled outside the wall, building their homes outside the city walls, up this beautiful valley. Romanians could only enter the town at certain times and had to pay a toll at the gate for the privilege of selling their produce inside the citadel.
Entry to the Schei district from the walled city was marked by the Schei Gate. Old documents mention it, also, under the name of Porta Valacce (Wallachs'Gate) because it was the only entrance for the Romanians living in Schei. They were not allowed to use any of the other entrances. The structure standing today was built in 1827 by Emperor Franz I and replaced the old Schei Gate which had been heavily damaged by fires.
Brasov Fortress Strategically overlooking the town and the plains to North, the Citadel is part of Brasov's outer fortification system. At first some wooden protective walls was erected here, later, in 1529, destroyed by Petru Rares. On the same spot they built a stone citadel called Cetatuia (1553), destroyed by fire in 1618 and re-built in 1625. For protective purposes the inhabitants added to the initial building four massive stone bastions in 1630. The citadel was abandoned later, after technological innovations made cannons stronger than the building. It served as a prison for a while.
Poiana Braşov is the most popular Romanian ski resort and an important tourist center preferred by many tourists not only from Romania, but also from Italy, France, Germany, and other European states.
It is located at about 1,312 yards (1,200 m) above sea level near the city of Brasov in Romania and it is easily accessible by road. There are regular buses operated by Braşov Transit which ply the 12 km route between Brasov and Poiana Braşov.
Dracula Castle Castle Bran, more popularly known as Castle Dracula, is Romania's number one tourist attractio
Vlad Tepes, also known as "Vlad the Impaler," was once imprisoned in the 13th century castle for two weeks. That's the strongest connection with the Dracula myth.
Interestingly, the place has no basement at all. In other words, no crypt. It is built on solid rock.
The castle has 57 rooms and a secret passageway leading up to the watch towers. But up in the tower that once served as the dungeon there are several Gothic chests that look suspiciously like coffins!
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