Experiences | Events / News January / December 2025

Beautiful pictures from Viscri (thanks to Roland) taken on September 23, 2025, a village (with a fortified church) in Brasov County in Transylvania.

Viscri is located northwest of Rupea and southeast of Sighisoara. Between the 18th and 20th centuries, the village had a population of around 700, mainly Transylvanian Saxons.

The town of Fagaras lies on the road from Sibiu to Brasov. At the end of the 12th century, the town’s castle was just a wooden fortress, which was expanded into a stone fortress in the 14th century.

The castle contains a museum, which can be visited and toured just like the castle itself. Right next to the fortress is the Cathedral/Church of Sfantul Ioan Botezatorul.

Beautiful pictures by Mr. Iercosan Marian (end of September 2025)

Pictures from Galt (Ungra in Romanian) in Brasov County. On the road from Kronstadt to Schäßburg, a few kilometers before Reps, there is a small side valley leading about 4 km to Galt. The Protestant fortified church is located on a hill.

A small local history museum of the Transylvanian Saxons has been set up in the former castle keeper’s house. Just under 30 Germans still live in this typical Saxon village.

We would like to thank Mr. Frank Schleßmann for sending us the pictures (mid-October 2025) and the text/explanations.

Pictures / impressions from Kronstadt / Brasov from early October 2025.

We would like to thank Mr. Frank Schleßmann for sending us these beautiful pictures (photos from October 2025) and for giving us permission to use them.

With the Old Town Hall on the right and a part of the old city wall in the front.

Kronstadt (Brașov) is worth a visit at any time of the year: spring, summer, autumn, or even winter. Many attractions await, such as the Black Church, a wonderful old town / the heart of Brașov, Mount Tampa with the famous “Brașov” sign, the Poiana Brașov district, and much more.

We thank Tom & Helga for these beautiful pictures from their Romania tour in September and October 2024. Many thanks! 🥰

Hungarian Prazsmar | Romania Road Trip in 1,000 Pictures

The impressive Tartlau Fortified Church, located in the commune of Prejmer in Brașov County, is considered one of the most powerful fortified churches in Transylvania. The oldest part of the complex dates back to before 1300, while its current form was developed at the end of the 15^(th) and beginning of the 16^(th) centuries.

With ring walls reaching up to 14 metres in height and 5 metres in thickness, Tartlau is an imposing defensive structure. Inside, there are over 270 chambers spread across up to four floors, which once served as refuges and storage rooms for villagers.

We would like to thank Tom & Helga for these beautiful pictures from their Romania road trip in September and October 2024. Many thanks!

The fortress of Brașov (German: Kronstadt) is a fortification built in the 15th century on Straja Hill (Castle Hill) to defend against enemy attacks.

Throughout its history, the fortress was repeatedly attacked, destroyed, and rebuilt. During World War I, it played an important role as a defensive stronghold. Originally, the site consisted only of the main fortress tower. Between 1630 and 1631, the outer fortress was constructed.

The horseshoe-shaped central tower has three floors and served various purposes over the centuries: it was used as a storage facility, in the 18th century as a prison for Turkish captives, and later, during the plague, as a special ward for the sick.

Photos: End of September 2023 (CR)

The village of Viscri (German: Deutsch-Weisskirch, Hungarian: Szászfehéregyháza) is located in Brașov County (Kronstadt) in Transylvania. It lies northwest of the town of Rupea and southeast of Sighișoara. Between the 18th and 20th centuries, the village had around 700 inhabitants.

Viscri is known for its fortified church and the typical village layout with Saxon farmhouses, which shape the historic appearance of the settlement.

The village was founded by Transylvanian Saxons at the end of the 12th century and was first documented in 1185. The Romanesque hall church was built in the 12th century and expanded over the following centuries. From the 15th century, it was developed into a fortified church with defensive walls and towers to protect the villagers.

We thank Calin Stan for the permission to use this image(s).

The Rupea Fortress is a historic fortification located approximately 50 kilometres from Brașov. Archaeological finds indicate that the castle hill has been inhabited since Dacian times, although the fortress itself was first documented in 1324 and has been expanded continuously over the centuries. It later developed into a typical Transylvanian Saxon peasant castle. It was completely restorated in 2013.

A characteristic feature is the snail shell-shaped architecture of the fortress, which, together with the panoramic view of the village, creates a picturesque atmosphere. A highlight of the fortress is its snail-shell-shaped architecture, which, together with the panoramic view of the village, creates a picturesque atmosphere.

The Black Tower in Kronstadt is one of the four major observation towers of the historic Kronstadt fortress. Built in the 15th century at the same time as the White Tower, it was constructed as a standalone defensive structure outside the city walls. The tower was first mentioned in writing in the 16th century.

The original pyramid-shaped roof was destroyed by lightning in the 16th century, and the walls were blackened by fire in the 17th century – hence the name “Black Tower.” During the 18th-century plague epidemic, the tower served as a refuge and a guard post. After years of decay, it was restored at the end of the 20th century and has been open to visitors since 2001, hosting an exhibition of 17th-century historical weapons. Together with the White Tower, it remains one of the most important sights in Brașov and offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s history and architecture.

https://discover-brasov.com

The Town Hall Square lies in the heart of Kronstadt’s medieval old town and is bordered by magnificent former merchants’ houses. Once known to the Transylvanian Saxons as Market Square, it has long been the civic center of the city.

Built in the 15th century, the building served as the meeting place of the town council for several centuries. In the 17th century, a trumpeter announced the time from its watchtower, earning it the nickname “Trumpet Tower.” Today, this historic hall houses the Brașov History Museum.

The Catherine’s Gate is a historic city gate dating back to the 16th century, built on the remains of an earlier wooden gate first mentioned in the early 1500s. It is named after the nunnery that once stood here, itself dedicated to Saint Catherine.

The upper part of the structure features four turrets symbolising the Jus Gladii, a medieval privilege that gave the rulers of Brașov the right to impose the ultimate punishment. The gate was constructed to connect Șchei and Brașov, and its architecture is particularly striking, with a painted Renaissance-style vault. In front of the gate lies a small park where visitors can relax.

The tower can be viewed from the outside, as public access to the interior is largely restricted.

The Fortified Church of Harman (Romanian: Biserica fortificată Harman), located approximately 10 kilometres northeast of Brașov, is one of the best-preserved fortified churches in Transylvania, with a history spanning more than 800 years. First mentioned in documents in 1240, the complex has never had to open its gates to an enemy, despite numerous sieges. In the 15th century, the church was redesigned in Gothic style and surrounded by a mighty triple-ring wall featuring seven defensive towers.

The bell tower, with its four corner turrets, is a striking feature. Inside, the church showcases architectural elements from various eras – from a Romanesque basilica to Baroque additions. For centuries, the fortress served as a refuge for the local community. The church is easily accessible from Brașov, just a 15-minute drive away.

A wonderful walk through Brasov early on a Sunday morning. It’s still quiet, the sun is shining and it’s going to be a wonderful day. Pictures: 04 May 2025

https://discover-brasov.com | https://welcome-to-romania.com

It is ready and online and is currently being printed 🥰

https://willkommen-in-rumänien.de | https://welcome-to-romania.com

In cooperation with many partners, cities, DMOs and the HoReCa, the new edition of the brochure “Holidays in Romania 2025” with 68 pages in German and English has been completed.

The brochure will be distributed by us at trade fairs and is now also available online in German and English (Romanian from Thursday, other languages coming soon).

If you would like to receive the brochure in German as a print version (2025 edition), you can order it online directly in Germany for a nominal fee of 2.80 euros plus shipping from February 24. We will provide you with the link shortly.

In the heart of Brasov, next to the boutique hotel Casa Chitic, the Beciul Transilvanean / Transylvanian Cellar welcomes you like in the old days, with Romanian dishes, tempting aromas and an atmosphere full of authentic charm.

Monday: 3 pm – 2 pm, Tuesday to Saturday: 12 pm – 2 pm, Sunday: 12 pm – 7 pm
Strada Johann Gott 7, Brasov / Kronstadt 📞 0720 331 144