Europe - Bravo Brasov

Brasov Town Square in Winter. Photo by YearOne / Unsplash

Close to both Peles and Bran Castles, is the beautiful town of Brasov, fringed by the Carpathian Mountains and dotted with colourful Baroque buildings. Located at the intersection of trade routes linking the Ottoman Empire and western Europe, with a friendly tax regime, Saxon merchants became wealthy exerting strong political influence in the region.

At the heart of the Old Town is Piata Sfatului, or Council Square, ringed by elegant buildings with pastel facades and russet-tile roofs and the City Hall - built in the 13th century, where a fountain serves as a meeting point for locals.

The Gothic ‘Black’ Church; the town square and fountain; cute window displays - I liked the teapots; new city gate; old city gate. Photos: Jane

A star attraction is the Black Church, which earned its nickname after a great city fire in 1689 blackened the walls of the church. Sadly, closed when we were there – I wanted to see the impressive organ and the extensive collection of Oriental rugs which were donated by German merchants in the 17th and 18th century.

One of the narrowest streets in Europe - Strada Sforii, also known as Rope Street, is tucked away off a side street - it’s just over 100 centimetres in width and dates back to the 1600s. It was built as a quick route for firefighters; these days the walls are covered with graffiti, despite a notice warning of surveillance cameras.

Da Vinci Restaurant; the synagogue; Delicious ham and cheese crepes for a late snack back in Bucharest; the narrow Strada Sforii. Photos: Jane

Tomorrow we return to Bucharest and visit Nicolae Ceausescu's colossal Palace of Parliament - the 2nd largest office building in the world.