"Brasov / Kronstadt" a Brasov Travel Page by josephescu

Surrounded on three sides by mountains, Brasov was a perfect place for a medieval settlement. The city was originally inhabited by Saxons (German origins), and over time Romanians, Hungarians and Jews moved in and built houses outside the city walls.

Brasov was founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211, as a defence against invasions from the east. However, the city was first mentioned as "Corona" (which means, crown, hence the coat of arms of the city which is a crown with oak roots) in 1235, when the Saxon population settled here. Later on the town was known as Brasco, Brasso, Kronstadt, Brassovia Citadel. For a short period of time, communists have changed its' name into Stalin :-)

Due to its geographical position, at the crossroads of Moldavia and Wallachia, Brasov has had a fast economic growth, becoming one of the most important markets in Transylvania. On the 14th century Brasov became one of the most economical and political strongholds in the Southeast of Europe and on the 16th century also a cultural center.

As one might expect, the city had a troubled history. The Brasov defense fortifications were built between the 15th and the 17th centuries, as a consequence of the repeated invaders coming from the east and south. A significant part of the citadel walls are still standing.

In 1688 when the Austrian army conquered Transylvania, Brasov was the last Bastion standing. 1689 was a one of the toughest years in the history of Brasov. On April, 21, a big fire destroyed most of the town and killed 3,000 people. Most of the houses were destroyed and Saint Mary Church, smoked by the fire, would become "The Black Church". The citizens rapidly rebuild the city.In the period following the 1st World War, Brasov became a strong economical center in Europe, but the town was partly destroyed during the 2nd World War. It was rebuilt and the historical buildings were restored. During the second half of the 20th century, the communist administration forcefully industrialized the city, bringing here workers from the rest of Romania, and determining population of German or Jewish origin to leave the city in droves.

1211 - Brasov region of Tara Barsei donated to Teutonic Knights
1235 – first documentary attestation under the name of CORONA
1241 - first Tartar invasion (town destroyed)
1344 – second Tartar invasion (town destroyed)
1353 – oldest document kept nowadays by the city archives
1385 – construction works on Saint Mary Church (aka Black Church) started
1398 – first school (German)
1399 – first Romanian church finished (wooden church)
1400 – first Turkish invasion
1417 – St. Bartolomew Church first mentioned by a document (although built since the 13th century)
1421 – second Turkish invasion (city partially destroyed)
1432 – third Turkish invasion (city under siege but not conquered)
1448 – 1453 – Brasovia Citadel, erected on Tampa mountain, was destroyed by governor order
1464 - first documentary attestation of the Black Street and of the Black Street's Gate.
1473 – strong earthquake
1477 – Saint Mary church (aka Black Church) finished
1515 – Saint Nicholas (Romanian) church finished
1525 – a driving rain destroyed the western city walls
1542 – first theatrical performance
1553 – building of the Citadel on the Cetatuia hill
1554 – black plaque and > 4000 deaths
1558 – first Hungarian School
1559 – Caterina gate finished
1630 – city walls reinforced
1639 - Goldsmiths's bastion
1678 – third Tartars invasion puts the city on fire
1688 – Brasov becomes part of the Austrian empire
1689 - biggest fire Brasov had ever seen. The fire destroyed most of the town and killed almost 3,000 people. It was the greatest calamity over the entire city history. Saint Mary church burnt and blackened with smoke is called "The Black Church" afterwards.
1827 – Schei Gate
1838 – first Romanian journal printed
1879 – Brasov – Predeal railroad
1889 – telephone exchange having 22 lines
1910 – Romanian army conquers Brasov for the first time
1916 – city re-conquered by Austro-Hungarian & German armies
1918 – along with all Transylvania, Brasov becomes part of Romania, following WW I
1950 – communist regime forces Germans and Jews to leave the city, and brings in Romanians from Moldova to serve as workers in recently finished industrial plants
??? – Brasov becomes Orasul STALIN
??? – administration turns back to old name
1987 – workers spontaneous meeting against communist regime destroy the city hall and burn Ceausescu’s portraits

Brasov
Bran & Rasnov - one day trip
Prejmer & Harman - half day trip
Poiana Brasov - largest skiing resort in the country
Predeal - very popular mountain resort
Piatra Craiului - trekking