Brașov

Names

Brassovia, Brassó, Brașov, etc.

According to Dragoș Moldovanu, the name of Brașov came from the name of local river named Bârsa (also pronounced as "Bărsa") that was adopted by Slavs and transformed to Barsa, and later to Barsov, finally to Brasov. According to Pál Binder, the current Romanian and the Hungarian name Brassó ([ˈbrɒʃʃoː]) are derived from the Turkic word barasu, meaning "white water" with a Slavic suffix -ov. Other linguists proposed various etymologies including an Old Slavic anthroponym Brasa. The first attested mention of this name is Terra Saxonum de Barasu ("Saxon Land of Baras") in a 1252 document issued by Béla IV of Hungary. According to some historians, Corona was name of the city-fortress while Brassó was referring to the county, while others consider both names may refer to the city and the county as well.

Corona, Kronstadt

According to Balázs Orbán, the name Corona – a Latin word meaning "crown" – is first mentioned in the Catalogus Ninivensis in 1235 AD, stating a monastic quarter existed in the territory of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cumania (In Hungaria assignata est paternitas Dyocesis Cumanie: Corona). Pál Binder supposed it is a reference to the St. Catherine's Monastery. Others suggest the name derives from the old coat of arms of the city, as it is symbolized by the German name Kronstadt meaning "Crown City". The two names of the city, Kronstadt and Corona, were used simultaneously in the Middle Ages, along with the Medieval Latin Brassovia.

Stephanopolis, Orașul Stalin

Another historical name used for Brașov is Stephanopolis, from "Stephanos", crown, and "polis", city.

On 22 August 1950, Brașov was renamed Orașul Stalin (lit. Stalin City) after Joseph Stalin. Constantin Ion Parhon, the nominal Head of State at the time, decreed the city be renamed "in honour of the great genius of working humanity, the leader of the Soviet people, the liberator and beloved friend of our people, Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin". The city's name reverted to Brașov in 1960.

History

The oldest traces of human activity and settlements in Brașov date back to the Neolithic age (about 9500 BCE). Archaeologists working from the last half of the 19th century discovered continuous traces of human settlements in areas situated in Brașov: Valea Cetății, Pietrele lui Solomon, Șprenghi, Tâmpa, Dealul Melcilor, and Noua. The first three locations show traces of Dacian citadels; Șprenghi Hill housed a Roman-style construction. The last two locations had their names applied to Bronze Age cultures—Schneckenberg ("Hill of the Snails"; Early Bronze Age) and Noua ("The New"; Late Bronze Age).

Transylvanian Saxons played a decisive role in Brașov's development and were invited by Hungarian kings to develop towns, build mines, and cultivate the land of Transylvania at different stages between 1141 and 1300. The settlers came primarily from the Rhineland, Flanders, and the Moselle region, with others from Thuringia, Bavaria, Wallonia, and even France.

In 1211, by order of King Andrew II of Hungary, the Teutonic Knights fortified the Burzenland to defend the border of the Kingdom of Hungary. On the site of the village of Brașov, the Teutonic Knights built Kronstadt – 'the City of the Crown'. Although the crusaders were evicted by 1225, the colonists they brought in long ago remained, along with local population in three distinct settlements they founded on the site of Brașov:

Corona, around the Black Church (Biserica Neagră);

Martinsberg, west of Cetățuia Hill;

Bartholomä, on the eastern side of Sprenghi Hill.

Germans living in Brașov were mainly involved in trade and crafts. The location of the city at the intersection of trade routes linking the Ottoman Empire and Western Europe, together with certain tax exemptions, allowed Saxon merchants to obtain considerable wealth and exert a strong political influence. They contributed a great deal to the architectural flavour of the city. Fortifications around the city were erected and continually expanded, with several towers maintained by different craftsmen's guilds, according to the medieval custom. Part of the fortification ensemble was recently restored using UNESCO funds, and other projects are ongoing. At least two entrances to the city, Poarta Ecaterinei (or Katharinentor) and Poarta Șchei (or Waisenhausgässertor), are still in existence. The city centre is marked by the mayor's former office building (Casa Sfatului) and the surrounding square (piața), which includes one of the oldest buildings in Brașov, the Hirscher Haus. Nearby is the "Black Church" (Biserica Neagră), which some claim to be the largest Gothic style church in Southeastern Europe.

Economy

Industrial development in Brașov started in the inter-war period, with one of the largest factories being the aeroplane manufacturing plant (IAR Brașov), which produced the first Romanian fighter planes used during World War II. After signing the armistice with the USSR on September 12, 1944, the factory started repairing trucks, and in October 1945 it began manufacturing agricultural tractors. IAR 22 was the first Romanian-made wheeled tractor. In 1948 the company was renamed Uzina Tractorul Brașov known internationally as Universal Tractor Brașov.

Aircraft manufacturing resumed in 1968 at first under the name ICA and then under its old name of IAR at a new location in nearby Ghimbav. A big part of the factory at Brașov was demolished during 2013 and 2014, to make way for buildings, shopping mall and recreation parks.

Industrialization was accelerated in the Communist era, with special emphasis being placed on heavy industry, attracting many workers from other parts of the country. Heavy industry is still abundant, including Roman, which manufactures MAN AG trucks as well as native-designed trucks and coaches. Although the industrial base has been in decline in recent years, Brașov is still a site for manufacturing hydraulic transmissions, auto parts, ball-bearings, construction materials, hand tools, furniture, textiles and shoe-wear. There is also a large brewery.

Geography

Braşov is situated in central Romania, 85 kilometres (53 mi) northwest of Ploiești. It is at the foot of the Transylvanian Alps.

Climate

Brașov has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification: Dfb). The highest temperature ever recorded at the Brașov Ghimbav Meteorological Station is 37.3 °C (99.1 °F), on July 5, 2000, and the lowest is −33.3 °C (−27.9 °F), on January 8, 2015. Brașov has a temperature amplitude of 70.6 °C (127.1 °F), which is high by European standards.

Demographics

Brașov has a total population of 237,589 (2021 census).

Its ethnic composition includes (as of 2011):

Romanians: 208,019 (91.3%)

Hungarians: 16,172 (7.1%)

Germans (Transylvanian Saxons): 1,079 (0.5%)

Romani people: 916 (0.4%)

Other ethnicities: 1,037 (0.7%)

In 2005, the Brașov metropolitan area was created. With its surrounding localities, Brașov had 371,802 inhabitants as of 2021.

Administration

Brașov is administered by a mayor and a local council. The current mayor of Brașov (starting October 21, 2024) is George Scripcaru from the National Liberal Party (PNL).

The Brașov Local Council, elected at the 2024 Romanian local elections, is made up of 27 counselors, with the following party composition:

Education

Primary schools

30 Primary Schools

High schools

Colegiul Național "Andrei Șaguna"

Colegiul Național "Dr. Ioan Meșotă"

Colegiul Național de Informatică "Grigore Moisil"

Colegiul Național "Unirea"

Colegiul Național Johannes Honterus

Colegiul Național "Áprily Lajos"

Liceul "Andrei Mureșanu"

Colegiul de Științe ale Naturii "Emil Racoviță"

Liceul "Nicolae Titulescu"

Liceul Vocațional de Muzica "Tuodr Ciortea"

Liceul Vocațional de Arte Plastice "Hans Mattis-Teutsch"

Liceul cu Program Sportiv

Colegiul de Științe "Grigore Antipa"

Liceul Teoretic "Constantin Brâncoveanu"

Seminarul Teologic Liceal Ortodox "Dumitru Stăniloaie"

Colegiul Tehnic "Transilvania"

Colegiul Tehnic "Mircea Cristea"

Colegiul Tehnic "Iosif Silimon"

Colegiul Tehnic "Sfinții Voievozi"

Grupul Școlar de Arte și Meserii

Colegiul Tehnic "Remus Răduleț"

Universities

Transilvania University of Brașov

George Barițiu University

Spiru Haret University

Christian University Dimitrie Cantemir

Academia Forțelor Aeriene Henri Coandă

Fundația Universitară Sfinții Apostoli Petru și Pavel

Sextil Pușcariu University

Universitatea Româno-Canadiană

American Hotel Academy

Transportation

The Brașov local transport network has 44 urban bus and trolleybus lines and 19 metropolitan bus lines. There are also regular bus lines serving Poiana Brașov, a nearby winter resort and part of the city of Brașov. All are operated by RAT Brașov.

In the past, a tramway system served Brașov from 1892 to 1960. A new tram system opened in August 1987, serving a single route with a fleet of 20 Romanian-built articulated cars in its first years, later replaced by used trams from Leipzig and Frankfurt. However the city's second tram system lasted less than 20 years, closing in November 2006.

Because of its central location, the Brașov railway station is one of the busiest stations in Romania with trains to/from most destinations in the country served by rail. CFR announced a feasibility study for the construction of a rail line (8 km) which would connect the airport to the Brașov railway station.

The Brașov-Ghimbav International Airport is an international airport located in nearby Ghimbav, right by the future A3 motorway. It is the first airport to be developed in post-communist Romania, and the 17th commercial airport in the country. The contract for the construction of the main terminal building, with a total area of 11,780 m2 (126,799 sq ft), was awarded to the Romanian contractor Bog'Art Bucharest and was signed on 21 August 2019. Construction works for the passenger terminal started on 17 March 2020 and the first commercial flight took place on June 15, 2023.

Tourism

With its central location, Brașov is a suitable location from which to explore Romania, and the distances to several tourist destinations (including the Black Sea resorts, the monasteries in northern Moldavia, and the wooden churches of Maramureș) are similar. It is also the largest city in a mountain resorts area. The old city is very well preserved and is best seen by taking the cable-car to the top of Tâmpa Mountain.

Temperatures from May to September fluctuate around 23 °C (73 °F). Brașov benefits from a winter tourism season centred on winter sports and other activities. Poiana Brașov is the most popular Romanian ski resort and an important tourist centre preferred by many tourists from other European states.

The city ranks on the second place in terms of tourism arrivals countrywide, after the capital Bucharest.

Sights

Biserica Neagră ("The Black Church"; German: Die Schwarze Kirche), a celebrated Gothic site – the building dates from 1477, when it replaced an older church (demolished around 1385). It acquired the name after being blackened by smoke from the 1689 Great Fire.

Franciscan Church, Brașov

Casa Sfatului ("The mayor's former office building"). The administration for Brașov was here for more than 500 years.

Biserica Sf. Nicolae (St. Nicholas Church), dating back to the 14th century.

The First Romanian School, a museum with the first Romanian printing press among many other firsts.

The Rope Street, the narrowest street in Romania.

Turnul Negru, Old City Watch Tower.

Turnul Alb, Old City Watch Tower.

Șchei, the historically Bulgarian but then Romanian neighbourhood outside of the old walled city.

Catherine's Gate (German: Katherines Tor), the only original city gate to have survived from medieval times.

Șchei Gate, next to Catherine's Gate, built in 1827.

Tâmpa, a small mountain in the middle of the city (900m above sea level), a sightseeing spot near the old city centre.

The "Brașov Citadel Fortress" – Cetățuia Brașovului

The nearby Bran Castle, attracting many fans of Dracula and often (but incorrectly) said to have been the home of Vlad the Impaler.

Sport

The city has a long tradition in sports, the first sport associations being established at the end of the 19th century (Target shooting Association, Gymnastics School). The Transylvanian Sports Museum is among the oldest in the country and presents the evolution of consecrated sports in the city. During the communist period, universiades and Daciads were held, where local sportsmen were obliged to participate. Nowadays, the infrastructure of the city allows other sports to be practiced, such as football, rugby, tennis, cycling, handball, gliding, skiing, skating, mountain climbing, paintball, bowling, swimming, target shooting, basketball, martial arts, equestrian, volleyball or gymnastics. Annually, at "Olimpia" sports ground, the "Brașov Challenge Cup" tennis competition is held.

Colțea Brașov was the football champion in 1928, managing a second place in 1927, in its only 10 years of existence (1921–1931). It was succeeded by Brașovia Brașov.

Between 17 and 22 February 2013, the city hosted the 2013 European Youth Winter Olympic Festival.

As of 2012, Brașov is hosting two trail semi-marathons: the Semimaraton Intersport Brașov (held in April) and the Brașov International Marathon (held in April or May).

In November 2013, Brașov submitted their bid for the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics. They were up against Lausanne, Switzerland to be awarded the event. In December that year, the city was signed the Youth Olympic Game Candidature Procedure. The host city was to be announced in July 2015, in which Lausanne was selected.

Local teams

SR Brașov – football club

ASC Corona Brașov – football club, women's handball and ice hockey club

CSU Brașov – basketball team

CFR Brașov – rugby football club

Sports venues

• Under construction

• Sala Polivalentă (10,059 capacity) – under construction multi-purpose 10,059-seat indoor arena

Planned

Brașov Arena (23,000 seats) – planned football stadium on the site of the former Municipal Stadium

Existing

Silviu Ploeșteanu Stadium (8,500 seats) – built in 1960 for football, floodlights were installed in 2009

Dumitru Popescu Colibași Sports Hall (2,300 seats) – built around 1970 for indoor sports: handball, basketball, volleyball, sometimes others

Brașov Olympic Ice Rink (2,000 capacity: 1,600 seated, 400 standing) – inaugurated on February 18, 2010, used mainly for ice hockey and public skating

Demolished

Municipal Stadium (30,000 capacity) – built in 1975, used for 1 May and 23 August parades, rarely used for football matches (demolished in 2008)

Others

Paradisul Acvatic – aquatic complex with 40 m long swimming pool and three jumping platform (1 m, 3 m, 5.20 m)

Notable events

Tess Rally Brașov – The local round in the Romanian Rally Championship

BRD Brașov Challenger – A tennis tournament, part of the ATP Challenger Tour

Braşov International Marathon – Marathon – 42 km Course, Half-Marathon – 21 km Course 10,7 km & Team Run + 5,7 km Course

Media

The city of Brașov is home to several local media publications such as Transilvania Express, Monitorul Express, Bună Ziua Brașov or Brașovul Tău. Also, several local television stations exist, such as RTT, MIX TV and Nova TV.

Twin towns – sister cities

Brașov is twinned with: