Brașov Old Town

Council Square (Piața Sfatului) has been a market and trade-fair square since the middle of the 14th century. Historic guild houses and the Orthodox cathedral stand here; the Black Church was built by the German community in the 15th century, is regarded as one of the most important Gothic works in Eastern Europe and has been Lutheran since the 16th century. The 15th-century Council House (Casa Sfatului) first served as a watchtower; today it houses the County History Museum. Brașov was strongly shaped by the Transylvanian Saxons, who were once invited into the country by Hungarian kings.

The town mountain Tâmpa rises 960 metres, about 400 metres above the old town, and is a nature reserve. The cable car takes you up in about three minutes; alternatively a hiking trail leads to the top. Strada Sforii (Rope Street), dating from the 17th century, is 80 metres long and at least 111 centimetres wide. Park at the edge of the old town.