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Brasov
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Brasov (; ; ; Medieval Latin: Brassovia or Corona) is a city in Romania and the capital of Brasov County, with a population of 284,596, according to the 2002 census, is the 7th largest Romanian city, after Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, Iasi, Craiova and Galati. People from Brasov are known, in English, as Brasovean.
Brasov is located in the central part of the country, about 166 km from Bucharest. It is surrounded by the Southern Carpathians, and is part of the Transylvania region.
The city is notable for hosting the Golden Stag (Cerbul de Aur) international music festival.
city was first atested in the 13th century under the name Corona.
The current Romanian and Hungarian names are derived from the Pecheneg word, barasu, meaning "fortress".
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Encyclopedia
Brasov (; ; ; Medieval Latin: Brassovia or Corona) is a city in Romania and the capital of Brasov County, with a population of 284,596, according to the 2002 census, is the 7th largest Romanian city, after Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, Iasi, Craiova and Galati. People from Brasov are known, in English, as Brasovean.
Brasov is located in the central part of the country, about 166 km from Bucharest. It is surrounded by the Southern Carpathians, and is part of the Transylvania region.
The city is notable for hosting the Golden Stag (Cerbul de Aur) international music festival.
Etymology
The city was first atested in the 13th century under the name Corona.
The current Romanian and Hungarian names are derived from the Pecheneg word, barasu, meaning "fortress". On Tâmpa Mountain, located on the southern side of the city, there was a citadel called Brassovia, which gave both the Romanian and the Hungarian name of the city.
The first attested mention of Brasov is Terra Saxonum de Barasu ("Saxon Land of Baras"), in a 1252 document. The German name Kronstadt means "Crown City", and is reflected in the city's coat of arms, as well as in its Medieval Latin name, Corona. The three names of the city (Brasov/Brassó, Kronstadt, and Corona) were used simultaneously in the Middle Ages.
From 1950 to 1960, during part of the Communist period in Romania, the city was called Orasul Stalin (Stalin City), after the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.
Population
The municipality of Brasov has a total population of 284,596.
Its ethnic composition includes:
In 2005, the Brasov metropolitan area was created. With its surrounding localities, it is estimated to have 350,000-400,000 inhabitants.
History
The oldest traces of human activity and settlements in Brasov date back to the Neolithicage (about 9500 BCE). Archaeologists, working from the last half of the 19th century, discovered continuous traces of human settlements in areas situated in Brasov: Valea Cetatii, Pietrele lui Solomon, Sprenghi, Tâmpa, Dealul Melcilor, and Noua. The first three locations shows traces of Dacian citadels; Sprenghi Hill housed a Roman-style construction. The last two locations had their names applied to Bronze Age cultures — Schneckenberg and Noua.
German colonists known as the Transylvanian Saxons played a decisive role in Brasov's development. These Germans were invited by King Géza II of Hungary to develop towns, build mines, and cultivate the land of Transylvania at different stages between 1141 and 1162. 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. Although the crusaders were evicted by 1225, the colonists they brought in remained, as did three distinct settlements they founded on the site of Brasov:
- Corona, around the Black Church (Biserica Neagra);
- Martinsberg, west of Cetatuia Hill;
- Bartholomä, on the eastern side of Sprenghi Hill.
Germans living in Brasov 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 flavor of the city. Fortifications around the city were erected and continually expanded, with several towers maintained by different craftsmen's guilds, according to 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 Ekaterinentor) and Poarta Schei are still in existence. The city center is marked by the mayor's former office building (Casa Sfatului) and the surrounding square (piata), which includes one of the oldest buildings in Brasov, the Hirscher Haus, owned by a wealthy merchant. Nearby is the "Black Church" (Biserica Neagra), which some claim to be the largest Gothic style church in South-Eastern Europe.
Once Brasov became a German colony, Romanians were denied several privileges by the new German settlers. They were no longer recognized as citizens of the city, and as such they were no longer able to continue to practice their crafts and operate their businesses. Additionally, their primary religion (Orthodox) was not officially recognized throughout Transylvania, especially during and after the 15th century. Most turned to shepherding and smuggling as a result, ventures which still returned considerable wealth - allowing them to build the very first community stone church in Transylvania, to establish the first Romanian printing press in Transylvania (1558), and later to establish a library. The German burghers still relied on Romanian speakers from within the community in their dealings with the Hospodars of Wallachia and Moldavia, and occasionally with the Ottoman Empire.
The cultural and religious importance of the Romanian church and school in Schei is underlined by the generous donations received from more than thirty hospodars of Moldavia and Wallachia, as well as that from Elizabeth of Russia. In the 17th and 19th centuries, the Romanians in Schei campaigned for national, political, and cultural rights, and were supported in their efforts by Romanians from all other provinces, as well as by the local Greek merchant community. In 1838 they established the first Romanian language newspaper, Gazeta Transilvaniei and the first Romanian institutions of higher education (Scolile Centrale Greco-Ortodoxe - "The Greek-Orthodox Central Schools", today named after Andrei Saguna). The Holy Roman Emperor and sovereign of Transylvania Joseph II awarded Romanians citizenship rights for a brief period during the latter decades of the 18th century.
In 1850 the town had 21,782 inhabitants: 8,874 (40.7%) Germans, 8,727 (40%) Romanians, 2,939 (13.4%) Hungarians.
In 1918, when Transylvania became part of Romania, organizations of the German minority from Transylvania declared their allegiance to the new Romanian state. The inter-war period saw a flourishing of economic and cultural life in general, which included the Saxons in Brasov as well. However, at the end of World War II many ethnic Germans were forcibly deported to the Soviet Union (see Communist Romania), and subsequently many more emigrated to West Germany after Romania became a communist country.
Jews have lived in Brasov since 1807, when Aron Ben Jehuda was given permission to live in the city, a privilege until then granted only to Saxons. The Jewish Community of Brasov was officially founded 19 years later, followed by the first Jewish school in 1864, and the building of the synagogue in 1901. The Jewish population of Brasov was 67 in 1850, but it expanded rapidly to 1,280 people in 1910, and 4,000 in 1940. Today the community has about 230 members, after many families left for Israel between World War II and 1989.
Like many other cities in Transylvania, Brasov is also home for a significant ethnic Hungarian minority.
During the communist period, industrial development was vastly accelerated. Under Nicolae Ceausescu's rule, the city was the site of the 1987 Brasov strike. This was repressed by the authorities and resulted in numerous workers being imprisoned.
Economy
Industrial development in Brasov started in the inter-war period, with one of the largest factories being the airplane-manufacturing plant (IAR Brasov), which produced the first Romanian fighter planes, which were used in World War II against the Soviets. After Communist rule was imposed, this plant was converted to manufacture of agricultural equipment, being renamed «Uzina Tractorul Brasov» (internationally known as Universal Tractor Brasov).
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 under licence, as well as native-designed trucks and coaches. Although the industrial base has been in decline in recent years, Brasov is still a site for manufacturing agricultural tractors and machinery, hydraulic transmissions, auto parts, ball-bearings, helicopters (at the nearby IAR site in Ghimbav), building materials, tools, furniture, textiles, shoes and cosmetics. There are also chocolate factories and a large brewery. In particular, the pharmaceutical industry has undergone further development lately, with GlaxoSmithKline establishing a production site in Brasov.
A large longwave broadcasting facility is located near Brasov, at Bod.
Significant growth in real estate prices continues, along with other major Romanian cities, as investor sentiment remains high, given the large FDI influx, recent accession to the European Union and forthcoming airport. Like most of Romania and Poland, cities like Brasov are predicted to exhibit strong growth for many years to come. Many foreign investors are sourcing their own land, or engaging local firms to create holiday or investment property.
Education
Primary Schools
High Schools
- Liceul “Andrei Muresanu”
- Colegiul National “Andrei Saguna”
- Colegiul National “Dr. Ioan Mesota”
- Colegiul National “Unirea”
- Liceul Teoretic “J. Honterus”
- Colegiul de Stiinte ale Naturii “E. Racovita”
- Liceul “Nicolae Titulescu”
- Colegiul National de Informatica “Gr. Moisil”
- Liceul de Arta
- Liceul cu Program Sportiv
- Liceul “Grigore Antipa”
- Liceul Teoretic “C. Brancoveanu”
- Seminarul Teologic Liceal Ortodox “D. Staniloaie”
- Colegiul Tehnic “Astra”
- Colegiul Tehnic “Mircea Cristea”
- Colegiul Tehnic “Iosif Silimon”
- Colegiul Tehnic “Sfintii Voievozi”
- Grupul Scolar de Arte si Meserii
- Colegiul Tehnic “Remus Radulet”
- Colegiul Tehnic Feroviar
- Grupul Scolar Industrial Auto
- Colegiul Tehnic “Maria Baiulescu”
- Grupul Scolar Ind. de Constr. Montaj
- Colegiul National Ec. “Andrei Barseanu”
- Grupul Scolar Silvic “Dr. N. Rucareanu”
- Grupul Scolar de Turism si Alim. Publica
- Liceul “FEG”
- Liceul “Europa Unita”
- Colgiul National “Aprily Lajos”
Universities:
Transportation
The Brasov local transport network is well-developed, with around 50 bus and trolleybus lines. There is also a regular bus line serving Poiana Brasov, a nearby winter resort. Until 2006, there were also four night lines that connected the outskirts to city center.
Between 1987 and 2006, there has been also a tram line, however it was discontinued because it became inefficient.
The construction of Brasov Airport was inaugurated by Intelcan Canada on April 15 2008. Construction is planned to be finalized in 24 to 30 months . The project consists of a terminal capable of handling 1 million passengers per year and a 2,800 meter-long runway.
The A3 highway is also planned to pass right by the city's edge.
Tourism
Centrally located Brasov is a good starting point for trips around Romania. The city is situated at fairly equal distances from several tourism destinations in the country: the Black Sea resorts, the monasteries in northern Moldavia, and the well-preserved wooden churches of Maramures. It is also the largest city in a mountain resorts area. The old city itself is very well preserved, and is best seen by taking the cable-car to the top of Tâmpa Mountain (995 m), a beautiful lookout.
Temperatures from May to September fluctuate around 23°C / 75°F. Brasov benefits from a winter tourism season centered on winter sports and other activities.
Sights
- Biserica Neagra ("The Black Church"), a celebrated Gothic site - the building dates from 1477, when it replaced an older church (demolished around 1385). Its acquired the name after being blackened by smoke from the 1689 great fire.
- Casa Sfatului ("The mayor's former office building"). Here was the administration from Brasov 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, a most narrow street in Europe.
- Schei, the historically Bulgarian and then Romanian neighborhood outside of the old walled city.
- The Orthodox church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, built in 1896.
- Muzeul Prima Carte Româneasca, a museum exhibiting the first book printed in the Romanian language.
- Tâmpa, a small mountain in the middle of the city (900m above see level), a sightseeing spot near the old city center.
- The "Brasov Citadel Fortress" - Cetatuia Brasovului
- The nearby Bran Castle, attracting many fans of Dracula, and often (but incorrectly) said to have been the home of Vlad the Impaler.
- Poiana Brasov, mainly a ski resort, but also a sightseeing spot.
- Râsnov Fortress, above the nearby town of Râsnov, is a restored peasant fortress
- Prejmer Fortress, in the nearby town of Prejmer
Twin cities
Musashino, Japan
Rishon LeZion, Israel
Tampere, Finland
Gyor, Hungary
Leeds, United Kingdom
Liverpool, United Kingdom
Poznan, Poland (since 2003)
Cleveland, USA
Sport
Brasov will be host to the Group A fixtures of the 2008 IIHF World Championship Division II. There will be 15 games held between April 3 and April 13 in the Brasov Arena.
See also
Gallery
External links
- Virtual 360 Tour
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- Forum and Gallery
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