Brasov Walking Tour
Brasov is one of the most beautiful cities of Romania taking full advantage of its old history and superb location.
Founded by the Germans around 800 years, Brasov resisted against many dangers, today being the third major tourist attraction of Romania.

The walking tour of Brasov starts in the main square of the old town. It is 5km (3mi) long and should last somewhere around 3 hours.

How does it work?
This is a self-guided walking tour of Brasov. At the bottom of this tour there is a Google-map. Zoom in or zoom out the map according to your needs. Follow the blue line according to the descriptions and you’ll enjoy for free a guided tour of Brasov. An IPad would be ideal.

The Council Square is the main tourist attraction of today and the center of the old town. About 700 years ago this square was used by the locals as a market place but only in 1520 obtained officially the right to held markets here. Beside this function, the square was used as a gathering point of the inhabitants and the place were once the pole of infamy stood. A tragic moment was recorded in 1688 when the leader of the Shoemaker Guild was beheaded by the Austrians. In the middle there is a water fountain, a reminiscence of the old wells which once stood in the market.
The main building of the square is The Old Town Hall, erected in 1420, today a museum. It is surrounded by important and valuable buildings such as the Hirscher House, the Orthodox Cathedral, the Muresan House or the famous Black Church. It offers good views toward the Tampa Mountain or the White and Black Towers.

The next stop is The Black Church one of the oldest religious monuments of Romania and a fine example of Gothic evolution in Transylvania. The construction of the church started in the second part of the 14th century on the site of a previous wooden church which was built probably in the 13th century. Today it represents the main tourist attraction of Brasov. The interior is worth a visit. Organ concerts are being played each summer.

You’ll continue your walking tour on the narrowest street in Romania – The Rope Street, a link between Cerbului Street and Poarta Schei Street. It is 80m (262ft) long and its width ranges between 111cm (43in) and 135cm (53in) being one of the narrowest streets in Europe, although definitely not the narrowest.

While you exit the narrow alley, turn to the right and then take George Cosbuc Street. Once you are back on main boulevard turn to the right and go to visit the synagogue. The Neolog Synagogue had been built in two years and inaugurated in 1901. The Hungarian architect Lipot Baumhorn used a Moorish style for the synagogue.

Passing through The Wallachian Gate built in the 19th century you’ll reach the only original gate which resited in time. The Catherine's Gate, erected in 1559, was the shortest way for the inhabitants of the Romanian neighborhood to reach the center of Brasov. It is named in this way because the gate was connected to a road which was leading straight to the former Saint Catherin’s Chapel.

Once established in Brasov, the Germans didn’t allow Romanians or Hungarian to own properties in the citadel. More than that, the Romanians were not even allowed to take part in the civil life of the town and they were considered just a tolerated nation. From now on you’ll be in the old Romanian neighborhood known as Schei.
Here you’ll reach Unirii Sqaure where you’ll visit The Saint Nicholas Church. The deeds mention that the present church was built in 1495 on a place where a cross protected by a shingle roof stood somewhere around 1292. Later, a wooden church was built on the site of the cross. The church is for the first time documentary certified in 1399 by Pope Bonifacius XI who wanted to convert the believers of the schismatic Orthodox Church.

Brasov is known also for its crosses located in different squares or on the side of the roads. There are about 60 roadside shrines in Brasov, one being located in Unirii Square. It was built by Captain Ilie Birt who lived in the 18Th century. He was a Romanian merchant from Schei and a great defender of the Romanian rights.

Walking back to the old center and admiring the old architecture you’ll reach the area known as The Alley Behind the Walls. The western side of the citadel offers one of the quietest areas of Brasov but also a strong medieval atmosphere. The narrow alley starts right next to the Blacksmiths’ Bastion, continues along the small Graft River, leaves in its left the White Tower and reaches the Graft Bastion and the arch behind of it.

Here turn to the left on the first bridge over the water and go to The Black Tower. On July 23rd 1599 a lightning destroyed the tower, its walls being blackened by fire ignited by the lightning. From this moment the tower received a new name – The Black Tower. From here you can continue on the hillside all the way to The White Tower built in the 15th century. Take the stairs down all the way and continue your tour passing through The Graft Bastion built by the guild of the saddlers.

At the end of the Alley Behind the Walls turn to the right and then take Muresenilor Street all the way to The Catholic Church built between 1776 and 1782 with the help of Empress Maria Theresa. The plans of the church were designed by the architect Lamanch Josefsz Karoly and it is considered the most representative Baroque building from Brasov. The main facade is made in a pure Baroque style and is embellished by many decorative elements.
Cross the street and take Sfantul Ioan Street. On this street one can see Saint John Church which was certified in 1486. It was built for the Order of the Poor Ladies, the second Franciscan order. As a result of the 16th century Protestant Reformation the Franciscan nuns were thrown out of the citadel. Thus, the catholic building had been taken over by the Lutherans who, for a century, used it as a granary. Toady the church displays a nice organ from 1908, 18th century Baroque furniture, several saint statues and the main altar of Saint John.

After that you’ll each Republicii Street, the main pedestrian alley of the old town. In summer days this road is packed with terraces offering a nice and lively image. Take a rest and enjoy a drink.

The tour ends in The Council Sqaure.

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