Attractions and Places To See in Brașov - Top 20

The Șurii de Piatră mountain stream plunges spectacularly 58 meters into the Seven Ladders Gorge (Canionul Șapte Scări) over seven steps carved into the Jurassic limestone. Visitors, who are literally within touching distance of the waterfalls, negotiate the stone steps, which are between two and a half and fifteen meters high, using steel ladders connected by metal mesh walkways. The most dramatic ladder is the third: it rises fifteen meters almost vertically and is secured with bars to prevent anyone from falling backward. But that's the only safety feature in the gorge. Right next to the left handrail, the water roars impetuously into the depths. An experience!

The origins of Bran Castle (German: Törzburg) date back to the early 13th century, when it was initially built as a wooden fortress called Dietrichstein by the Teutonic Knights under the patronage of King Andrew II of Hungary to defend the strategically important pass between Transylvania and Wallachia against invading troops. In 1377, the Transylvanian Saxons of Kronstadt (Brașov) were granted the privilege of building a stone castle. This example of medieval architecture underwent numerous alterations and expansions over the centuries. In the 1920s, the castle became the residence of Queen Marie of Romania, who significantly altered and modernized its interior. Bran Castle's connection to the Dracula legend is a fascinating blend of history, literature, and folklore. Largely a product of the 20th century, this connection owes much to the atmospheric descriptions in Bram Stoker's 1897 novel "Dracula." Although Stoker never visited Romania, his depiction of Dracula's castle was inspired by descriptions of Eastern European castles—and Bran Castle, with its dramatic location and menacing appearance, fits this vision remarkably well.

The Black Tower is one of the four watchtowers of the Brașov Citadel, built as an independent fortress outside the citadel walls. The tower, a good eleven meters high, stands not far from the Blacksmiths' Bastion on a rock on the Warta Hill. Its walls are two meters thick at the base and have six loopholes on each side. In the past, the tower was connected to the citadel by a movable bridge leading down to the Blacksmiths' Bastion (Graft Bastion). The tower was built in the 15th century, at the same time as the White Tower. Its first documented mention dates back to 1541. The original roof is no longer preserved, having been destroyed by lightning in 1559 and by fire in 1689. The fire blackened the walls of the tower, giving it its current name. It was destroyed again by lightning in 1696, but was rebuilt.

Next to the Black Church stands the statue of Johannes Honterus, a work by the Berlin sculptor Haro Magnussen, which was unveiled on August 21, 1898. The bronze bas-reliefs on the pedestal depict the humanist in his printing shop, where the first prints were made in 1539, and administering communion to a sick person. Born in 1498, Honterus was a Transylvanian-Saxon humanist scholar, religious reformer, and founder of the Saxon Gymnasium in Kronstadt. He died in 1549.

The Old Town Hall, located on Town Hall Square in the historic center, is Brașov's most important secular monument. The town hall was originally a watchtower, the foundations of which lay on those of the present tower. The adjacent building was constructed later, with construction work beginning on December 23, 1420. The Turkish invasion of 1421 and the resulting destruction, as well as the arrest of the city judge, delayed construction. The building was only later converted into the town hall. It was first mentioned in 1503, when it appears as the "Praetorium," the seat of the city administration. From 1950 onward, the Old Town Hall housed the Brașov State Museum, which later became the Brașov County History Museum.

The White Tower is a fortress built between 1460 and 1494, which still impresses today with its massiveness and sleek lines. The semicircular building, with its four-meter-thick walls, stands over thirty meters above the old city walls. The tower has ramparts, tar holes, and balconies supported by stone consoles. The White Tower was located 59 meters in front of the fortress wall, and a drawbridge connected it to the Graft Bastion. With its five floors, it was the highest point of the Brașov Fortress. The Tinsmiths' Guild was responsible for its defense. During the great fire of April 21, 1689, the fire, carried by a strong wind, also engulfed the White Tower, which burned down and was not renovated until 1723.

From the Black Tower, you have a wonderful view of the Old Town, the Black Church, and the Old Town Hall. The steep climb through the shady park is worth it.

The Catherine Gate, located in the southwest of the medieval city, provided passage through the double fortress wall and was the city's only gate toward Şchei for almost three centuries. Today, only the tower of the outer gate remains, probably built in the 15th century and first mentioned in documents in 1517. Defended by the Tailors' Guild, the gate was destroyed by storm and flood in 1526 and then rebuilt. Because it was located at the end of Catherine Street, which took its name from the former nunnery, the gate was called "Catherine's Gate." The building is square and extends over three levels. The upper part features four towers, a sign that the city had the right to impose death sentences. Above the gate on the first floor is a plaque bearing the coat of arms of Brașov.