"Transylvanian town" Brasov by Ramonq

"It's close to midnight, and something's evil lurking in the dark" . I hummed this Thriller tune as I walked past the dark and narrow medieval lanes on my way to the hotel way past sleeping time. The route even passed along a cemetery with the brooding silhouette of the leafless trees acting as an eerie foreground to the full moon and the floodlit "BRASOV" sign propped up on the top of the Carpathian mountains just like in Hollywood. Brasov is the most popular tourist spot in Romania because it serves as an excellent base to explore the countryside of Transylvania further afield ie, the province where many Hollywood horror films and Bram Stoker's "Dracula" story were set. Yes, Brasov does feel creepy at night, however, come sunlight, it is transformed into a colourful fairytale fantasyland especially around the spacious main square and its cheery atmosphere with pastel-coloured Teutonic buidlings.

Brasov is the largest city in the beautiful green countryside of Transylvania, where Vlad the Impaler once ruled with an iron fist to protect his realm from marauding Ottoman Turks during the 1450's. Vlad hardly set foot in Brasov itself, spending more time in the Sighisoara, a small town around Brasov. He was so ruthless against his enemies that he earned a reputation for bloodthirstiness and cruelty, hence the nickname "Dracula" and "the Impaler", because he impaled his captive Turks alive and displayed his gruesome trophies along the main routes to frighten the conquering Turks away. Such was his ferocity that his life has spawned a legend that have inspired storytellers and movie makers through many generations. Even today, 550 years later, Transylvania still evokes Halloween-type reaction for many tourists.

Although it's in Transylvania, Brasov's history is far removed from Dracula. It's actually more Saxon German than Romanian, because its history is more entwined with the Germanic tribe that flourished in this region. The city is situated right in the crossroad of Western European culture and Eastern Ottomans making Brasov a lucrative frontier town between these two civilisations. Because of its location, Brasov became prosperous owing the the customs levies that were imposed by the town as they cross between borders.

As you walk around Brasov you can deduce that this town was very prosperous because of the wonderful gothic cathedral (The Black Church) and the impressive town hall in the middle of the big square, the Piaþa Sfatului. The quality and architecture of the buildings, including the oldest one that is standing, Hirscher Haus, around the piata was a testament that Brasov flourished during its Saxon period, before that province integrated with Romania

Brasov played an important role in the formation of the Romania. This is the city where the Romanian national anthem was composed and first played. Many of the German people have settled to mainland Germany when the country fell into communist hand. Brasov became an industrial town under communism and until now it is a main manufacturing centre for Romanian agricultural tractors, auto-parts and helicopters

One cannot see these factories as they lie in the outskirts of town. The city centre of Brasov has been spruced up for tourism. In fact, many Germans are returning and cashing in on the upsurge of tourism in Brasov. Trust the Germans to keep the place spotlessly clean and ran efficiently. Brasov is Romania's tourism centrale, and I definitely recommend this wonderful town.

• Pros:The wonderful Piaþa Sfatului