Braşov, Romania

Braşov, Romania
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brasov_panorama.jpg
Author: Immanuel


Braşov (German: Kronstadt, Hungarian: Brassó) is the 8th most populous city in Romania. Located in the central part of the country about 166 km to the north of Bucharest, Braşov covers 267.2 sq km (103.2 sq mi) and has a population of 277,000 people (2011 estimate), within a metropolitan area of 402,000 people.

Braşov city center
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bra%C5%9Fov,_Romania_-_city_centre_(1).jpg
Author: Mercy


Braşov was first mentioned in AD 1235, when it was known by the Latin name of Corona, meaning "crown". From this name came the German name for the city, Kronstad. The city's name in Romanian and Hungarian are however derived from another source, the Turkic word barasu, meaning "white water". Between 1950 and 1960, it was also called Oraşul Stalin, in honor of Soviet leader Josef Stalin.

As in Hungary and Slovakia, Braşov saw an influx of German immigrants in the 12th century, at the invitation of King Géza II of Hungary, to settle and develop the town. In the 13th century the Teutonic Knights built the city of Kronstadt where the village of Braşov is located.

View of Braşov with the Black Church
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brassopanorama.jpg
Author: RonyeczRobert


The German settlement in Braşov had a negative effect on the native Romanians, who found themselves denied some of the privileges of the new German settlers. Their Orthodox religion was also not officially recognized. Germans were the main ethnic group in Braşov during the mid 19th century, but their numbers began to drop over the next century. Today just 0.6% of the population of Braşov are of German background.

Church of St Nicholas, Braşov
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Biserica_Sf,_Nicolae_Scheii_Brasovului.jpg
Author: Kosson


There is also a small Jewish community in Braşov that dates back to 1807. As with elsewhere in Europe, the Jews suffered under the Second World War, and many left for Israel since then, leaving only a small Jewish community in Braşov today.

Visiting Braşov

Being a railway hub, Braşov gets many train services connecting it with Bucharest. There are also direct connections with Budapest, Vienna, Krakow and Prague.

Places of Interest in Braşov

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