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Brasov is a city in Romania and the capital of Brasov County. According to the census of 2002, Brasov is with a population of 284.596 inhabitants the 8th largest city in Romanian city. Brasov is located in the central part of the country, about 166 km away from Bucharest. It is surrounded by the Southern Carpathians and it is a part of the region Transilvania. The city is famous for hosting the international music festival Cerbul de Aur (Golden Stag).
The oldest traces of human activity and settlements in Brasov date back to the Neolithic Age (about 9500 BCE). Archaeologists, working from the last half of the 19th century, discovered continuous traces of human settlements in areas situated in the region of Brasov: Valea Cetatii, Pietrele lui Solomon, Sprenghi, Tâmpa, Dealul Melcilor, and Noua.
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 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. There are also chocolate factories and a large brewery. In particular, the pharmaceutical industry has undergone further development lately.
Tourism: 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. It is he largest city in a mountain resorts area. Brasov benefits from a winter tourism season centered on winter sports and other activities in resorts as Poiana Brasov, Predeal, Sinaia, Busteni and others. Next to Brasov, there are the famous medieval Castle of Bran (the so called "Dracula Castle") and the beautiful Castle of Peles (former Royal Residence). 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.
- ARO Palace Hotel (www.aro-palace.ro)
- Hotel Ambient (www.hotelambient.ro)
By car: www.romania-harta.ro
By train: www.infofer.ro
By plane:
Close airports to Brasov:
- International Airport Henri Coanda Bucharest (Otopeni)
- International Airport Baneasa
- International Airport Sibiu
Airlines which fly to these airports: