BRASOV, Romania
-- A glance out a window and time freezes: The moon is suspended
above Tampa, the hill around which this medieval city is situated.
I am in Brasov,
capital of Transylvania, and its been only 16 years since Romanias
longtime Communist dictator, Nicolae Ceaucescu, was
overthrown.
Most of Romania
is still struggling to find its footing in the new capitalist
world, but Brasov itself is well on its way.
New boutiques and
restaurants, and even a new shopping mall, are all signs that
Brasov is leaving its dark, more recent past behind -- but not by
abandoning older, medieval legacies.
Reconstruction on
the old city walls is under way, and archaeological research is
ongoing; Brasov is by and large a medieval city, where most
attractions were built before 1600.
Brasovs most famous landmark is
the Black Church, one of the largest such Gothic structures in
eastern Europe and unique in its blend of Western and Eastern
adornments.
Begun in 1385 and
completed 92 years later, it was blackened in a 1689 fire -- hence
its name.
A visit to the
history museum -- housed in the old council house, built in 1420 --
is advised for a crash course in local events through medieval
times.
Two other
museums, the art and ethnographic museums, offer more specific
insights into both local and more general Romanian history and
culture.
To get the best
views of the Old City, visitors should climb or ride the tram to
the top of Tampa or visit the Black Tower on the other side of the
city.
It only takes two
days to see all of Brasovs main sites, but within less than an
hours ride lies Romanias most famous attraction: Draculas Castle.
Actually called
Bran Castle -and having little to do with Dracula -- its a small,
Gothic fortification that dates to 1377.
There are many
hotels in and around Brasov, but only three are in the city center:
the four-star Aro Palace, three-star Capital and two-star Coroana
-- Brasovs oldest, built in 1910.
All three hotel
properties offer modern amenities, but the Aro Palace has the most
up-to-date furnishings and decor.
For more on
Brasov, Transylvania or Romania, contact the Romanian National
Tourist Office in New York by phone at (212) 545-8484 or online at
www.romaniatourism.com.
To contact
the reporter who wrote this article, send e-mail to [email protected].