Brasov County

Description:

Geographical situation

                It is placed in the central part of Romania, within the arch of the Carpathians, at the point where the Western Carpathians meet the Southern ones, on the middle course of the Olt river, it is crossed by the Merdian of 25°, eastern longitude end the Parallel of 46°, northern latitude.

Neighbours

                In the north: Harghite and Mures Counties, in the east: Buzau and Covasna Counties, in the west: Sibiu County, in the south: Arges, Dambovita and Prahova Counties.

Surface

                5,363 square km (respectively 2,3% of the country's territory).

Population

                640,000 inhabitants.

Towns

                Brasov, capital of the county, with 325,000 inhabitants, a place with a Medieval air, preserving many old buildings, an important crossroads, in the past, it used to connect the three Romanian countries. Brasov is situated in the depression with the same name, at an altitude of 520 -650 m, et the foot of the Tampa Massif, with an annual activity marked by The Golden Stag Festival. Other towns: Codlea, Fagaraa, Predeal, Rasnov, Rupea, Sacele, Victoria, Zarnesti.

Relief

            Is variated, structured in three levels: the highest mountains in the country, the low mountains, and the hills in the south-east of the Hartibaciului Plateau.

Climate

                It is temperate continental, moderate, varying according to height. The rainfalls are variable, winds blow from west and north-west. The annual average temperature is situated between 2,5°C and 8,2°C, in January is - 4 - -10°C and in July is 6- 18°C.

Watercourses

                The Middle Olt and its tributaries: Aita, Baraolt, Varghis, Homorod, Felmer, Ghimbav, Barsa, (ercaia, Sebes, Berivoi, Breaza, Vistea, Ucea, they all croos the county along with Tarlung, Timis, Rasnov.

Touristic Attractions

Mountains

                The Fagaras Mountains (with the Moldoveanu Peak, 2544 m, the highest altitude in Romania).

                The Piatra Craiului Mountains, a point of attraction for many tourists (especially, climbers).

                The Bucegi Mountains (Omu Peak, 2505 m), the most visited  of the Romanian Carpathians

                The Ciucas Mountains: "Tigaile Ciucasului" ("The Ciuces Pans"), "Babele Ia Sfat" ("The Old Women Chatting"), "Mana Dracului" ("Devil's Hand"), "Sfinxul Bratocei" ("Batroca's Sphynx").

                The Rucar-Bran Corridor

Preserves and monuments of nature

                The Glades with Daffodils from Dumbrava Vadului, foristic preserve located in the Fagaras Depression, near the Sercaia village. These glades covered with a huge daffodils carpet (400 hectares, blossoming at the end of May) represent one of the Romania's unique beauties, attracting numerous lovers of nature beauty.

                The Bogatii Forest, forest preserve situated in the Persani Mountains, between Hoghiz and Maierus, on a distance of 17 km, consisting mainly in beech trees and a rich fauna, but it is also a hunting preserve.

                The Racos Basalts, situated on the national road DN Brasov - Sighisoara

                The Harman Moors, botanical preserve, is situated at 18 km north-east of Braslov.

                Purcareni is situated on 6 km away from Satulung.

                The Ormenis Fossil Point, palaeontological preserve in the east of the Persani Mountains, worldwide known, the fossils belong to the Superior Cretaceous period.

Spas and Touriatical Health Resorts

                Poiana Brasovis situated on  Postavaru Mountains, at 12 km away from Brasov and 190 km away from Bucharest.

Access: by train - the Brasov railway station, then by bus to the resort, regular courses; by road - from any direction to Brasov, then on a local road to the resort.

                Predeal situated at 25 km south of Brasov. Access: by train-the Predeal railway station on Bucharest - Brasov line, by road-on the national road DN 1/E 15 from Bucharest or Brasov, DN 71 from Targoviste or from Sinaia.

                Other resorts and spas: Paraul Rece-spa, at an altitude of 960 m, 9 km away from Predeal, Timisul de Sus-spa, at an altitude of 820 m, 5km away from Predeal and 19 km away from Brasov.

Historical Vestiges

                The Fortress of Brasov, its construction began in 1395 at the order of Sigismund of Luxembourg, King of Hungary, it was the strongest fortesa in Transylvania, in those times.

                The Fortress of Fagars it was built in the 15^th century on the wins of an ancient wooden fortress; it was very famous hosting the voivode's court (Michael the Brave let his family here during the battles of 1599 - 1600). Part of it can be seen today in the city centre.

                The Feldioara Fortress situated at 21 km north of Brasov on the national road DN 13.

                Weavers' Bastion in Brasov, 1421 - 1573.

                Bran Castle situated at 22 km away from Predeal

                Castle Sambata de Sus situated at 20 km south-west of Fagaras.

Religious Buildings

                Black Church in Brasov 

                Bartholomeus Church in Brasov

                "Saint Nicolas" Church in Brasov

                "Saint Nicolas" Orthodox Church in Fagaras

                Evangelic Church in Râsnov

Cultural buildings

                The Council House in Brasov, situated in the center of the town and it is a monumental building.

                The Museum of the First Romanian School in Brasov, inside an old Romanian school.

Monuments and statues

                The Statue of Johannes Honterus in Brasov