Brașov

The city of the crown, built by merchants

Few cities carry their origin in their very name. Brașov appears in documents as early as 1288, in the form "Braso", and over the centuries it was known as Corona in Latin, Kronstadt in German (literally "the city of the crown") and Brassó in Hungarian. Its coat of arms still preserves a crown from which rises a stem with roots, the sign of a settlement founded and developed by Saxon colonists, who made the center at the foot of Mount Tâmpa one of the most powerful merchant cities of Transylvania.

The Black Church, the Gothic giant

The symbol of the city is the Black Church, the largest Gothic-style church in Romania. Construction began around 1383 and lasted almost a century. Its current name comes from the walls blackened after the great fire of 21 April 1689, which broke out during the Austro-Turkish War. Inside stands a monumental organ built by Carl August Buchholz, with around 4,000 pipes, one of the largest bells in the country, and a rare collection of oriental carpets from the 16th-17th centuries, gathered by the Saxon merchants.

The Council Square, the heart of the fortress

The medieval life of Brașov pulsed around the central square. The Council House, raised on the site of an old watchtower, was the seat of the city administration and today houses the History Museum. Next to it, the Merchants' House (Hirscher House) recalls the time when fairs were held in the square on fixed days, and the goods were gathered in rows: those of flowers, of fruits, of grains.

Narrow lanes and defensive walls

From the square start alleys that lead to the preserved fortifications: Catherine's Gate, the Weavers' Bastion, the White Tower and the Black Tower. Here hides Rope Street, one of the narrowest streets in Europe, only 111-135 cm wide, conceived in the 17th century as an intervention passage for firefighters. Beyond the old walls, the Șchei district preserves St. Nicholas Church and the "First Romanian School" Museum.

Within easy reach of Râșnov

Brașov lies a short distance from Râșnov, where MAX International is located — a drive of about a quarter of an hour. It is the natural destination for a day of strolling through the historic center, ideal to combine with Râșnov Fortress or Bran Castle. Check the schedule and admission fees of the attractions on the official sources before your visit.