Brasov Off The Beaten Path

4 more images

Only few hundred meters far from the central parc.
It is a shame that this place is not advertised better...
I have been first time in Brasov 35 years ago, and only a month ago I have discover it.
Up there is nice and quiet and it is in the middle of Brasov... why not then?

4 more images

This is the famous "Castle of Count Dracula", but truthfully this castle was really quite ordinary. There was no Dracula "feel" to the place, and it seems that the link is quite tenuous. I think he stayed at the castle once. Still, I had to come here. After all, how can I make a judgement if I don't see it for myself?

The town of Bran has nothing else but the castle, but that brings in bus loads of tourists every day. It's easy to reach from Brasov, and you can double-up with the fantastic Rasnov castle, which is on the same bus route. If you are going to see Rasnov, though, come here first, otherwise Bran will be an even bigger let down.

4 more images

Now THIS is Transylvania.

Rasnov is a rather ordinary town with an extraordinary castle sitting above it. The castle acts like a gateway between the flat, dull landscape of the city below and its acres of pastoral farmland, and the heady, dreamlike, fantastical land beyond, complete with an authentic, still livng and barely touched medieval castle, and the tall, rolling, forested green hills behind. Walking up the steep steps to the castle is like finding yourself in Narnia; it's like passing through the gate on Skull Island.

4 more images

About an hour away from Brasov by train or bus is the mountain resort of Sinaia. It's a beautiful location, and makes for wonderful hiking, but Castle Peles is worth a day trip on its own. It's far more "Dracula" than Bran Castle, more impressive, and with a much more dramatic backdrop. There's a few other things to do and see as well, including a trip up the mountain on the gondola, so you can easily make a day of it.

Located about half way between Brasov and Bran, Rasnov Citadel is well worth the short detour. It is an ancient citadel on the top of the hill. The local valley people would come in here during dangerous times. Built early, it was refortified in the 14th century to help against Turkish and Tartar invasions.

One unique thing is the central well. It took 17 years (1623~1640) for two Turkish prisoners to get down 146m to water. But as promised, they were set free after they reached the water table, thereby allowing the citadel to have its own water source for the next 200 years.

Buses to Rasnov and Bran (these towns are on the same road) leave from Brasov's Bartolomeu bus terminal about every hour.

This school is located right beside St. Nicolas church.

It is a very interesting place indeed. And so pity that it doesn't seem to be popular. Or people just don't know about it. The guide is working there and he is a FOND of his job. When telling us about how lessons were going, what tools teachers used to explain, etc, he was almost shining.
And beside all that, a whole collection of rare medieval books is stored there. Among them was the 1st Gospel written in Cyrilic. This guy even speaks 'staroslavyanski' (old slavic) language, he was telling us some phrases.
I really advice to visit it, you won't regret. The price is very low, about 1,5 EUR.

3 more images

The Rope Street is known as the narrowest street in the Europe, with its wideness between 111 cm and 135 cm.

Its length is 80 m and lies between the Cerbului Street and the Poarta Schei Street.

The first documentary mention of the street was made in the 17th century.

The road was restored in the year 2003, when it gotten new illumination system.

When you go on this street, you can touch simultaneous, with your hands, the both roadsides.

4 more images

Bran Castle also known as Dracula's Castle is located by the village of Moeciu, close to Brasov. It was originally built as a watch point to protect Transylvania by unwanted guests. The truth is that Vlad Tepes (known as Count Dracula) stopped by the castle rarely. He spent most of his time in Bucharest at Curtea Veche, from where he was ruling the country.
After WWI, the castle was given as a present to Queen Maria to thank her and her family for the special contribution made to the creation of Greater Romania. So the castle became a royal residence.
On October 1950 it was declared a historical monument and 7 years later it became a museum.