Brașov – Transylvania, Romania
Brașov lies in a broad mountain basin at the edge of the Southern Carpathians, surrounded by forested peaks that once formed a natural defensive barrier for the medieval town. The city sits directly beneath Mount Tâmpa, a steep limestone ridge that rises dramatically above the historic center.
The heart of Brașov is Council Square (Piața Sfatului), where brightly colored merchant houses surround the old town hall tower. Just beyond the square stands the Black Church (Biserica Neagră), one of the largest Gothic churches in Eastern Europe and a lasting reminder of the Saxon settlers who shaped the city’s early history.
Fragments of Brașov’s medieval defensive walls, watchtowers, and fortified gates can still be seen around the old town, illustrating the importance of the city as a trading hub linking Transylvania with the mountain passes to the south.
