| Bran | ||
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Coat of arms  | ||
| State | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Altitude | 720 m a.s.l. | |
| Surface | 67.85 km² | |
| Inhabitants | 5.334 (2007 estimate) | |
| Prefix tel | 40 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 507025 | |
| Time zone | UTC 2 | |
Position
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| Tourism site | ||
| Institutional website | ||
Bran (in HungarianTörcsvár, in GermanTörzburg) is a village in the Transylvania southern, in the department of Brașov. It is famous for the Bran Castle and is an important agritourism center in the Romania.
To know
Located 25 Km from Brașov and 190 Km from Bucharest, Bran represents both a historical place and a legend. Bran is the gateway between the Transylvania and the Wallachia with one side flanked by the Piatra Craiului Mountains and the other by Bucegi Mountains. Although the name of Bran is closely linked to that of Bran Castle, the region is extremely rich in tourist attractions: the Moieciului Gorges, the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului Mountains, Pestera Dambovicioara, Cetatea Rasnovului (Rasnov Fortress), but also Brașov and the nearby Saxon fortresses of Prejmer is Hărman.
Background
The Teutonic Knights began building Bran Castle, a wooden fortification at the time, in the early 13th century. After the destruction of the building by the Mongols in 1242, King Louis I ofHungary ordered the construction of a masonry castle in 1377, around which the village of Bran developed. The castle is located on the top of a steep hill and dominates a strategic passage between the Transylvania and the Wallachia.
Bran Castle inspired the description of Dracula's castle in Bram Stoker's novel, but it is not the true castle historically belonged to voivode (prince) Vlad III of Wallachia; the real Dracula's Castle is the now destroyed Fortress of Poenari.
How to orient yourself
Bran (Brașov): full screen map.How to get
By car
Private transfers can often be found for a reward. Otherwise you can always rent a car.
On the train
To reach Bran from Bucharest take a train to Brașov, the trip takes about 3 hours. Then take a taxi or mini-bus. There are regular runs to Bran from Brașov (and back) from Autogara 2.
By bus
Return buses to Brașov are less frequent in the late afternoon.
How to get around
Bran is a small village and can be explored on foot.
What see
- 1 Bran Castle. Bran is famous above all for the castle of the same name, which is known above all by the nickname of "Dracula's Castle", the source that inspired the most fascinating legend of the bloodthirsty Count Dracula, the character at the center of the novel of the same name by the Irish writer Bram Stoker, published in 1897. In fact, Vlad Tepes II ("The Impaler") has never lived here and it is not even certain that he ever actually visited this castle. The exterior is truly impressive, however the interior has undergone major alterations and renovations which have perhaps taken away some of the mysterious and "scary" appearance it may have originally had. Inside there is a predetermined route because some areas are closed. The castle was built by the inhabitants of Brașov in the years 1377-1382 to protect the mountain pass from Turkish invaders. At the beginning of the 20th century it became the favorite residence of Queen Marie of Romania, a queen for whom the inhabitants of Bran expressed deep gratitude, also benefiting from a deep appreciation during the Romanian monarchy.
- In the neighbor Rasnov there is another interesting fortress much less frequented. This too has been rebuilt and some works are still in progress.
Events and parties
What to do
After visiting the castle, spend some time in the Bran Village Museum located in the castle grounds as well. Tell a little about the history of this ancient Transylvanian village.
Shopping
- Market. There is a kind of market near the castle. The souvenirs are a little kitschy but with a little luck you can find something interesting.
How to have fun
Where to eat
Where stay
Average prices
- [link not working]Hanul Bran hotels, Street General Traian Mosoiu number 4, ☎ 40 268 236 556, @[email protected]. Hotel and restaurant in the center and one minute from the castle. Here you can taste typical regional dishes at very affordable prices.
- 1 Bed & Breakfast Vila Predelut, 45, Inv. Nicolae Bos Street. (1.5 km from the castle), ☎ 40 728 269 332.
45€. Check in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Vila Predelut is located 1,500m from the famous Dracula's Castle. It has six rooms with individual bathroom with shower. Each room has a balcony with a splendid view of the Bucegi Mountains or the Magura Branului hill and from the terrace you can see the Castle. In addition to visiting Dracula's Castle and the traditional traditional handicraft market you can also do light trekking in the villages and surrounding mountains and hills or even hard trekking if you are a professional. In the evening you can have fun and relax in the typical traditional Romanian restaurants. - Craiasa Branului, Tohanita road. 80€. Check in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00. Guestrooms have microwaves, coffeemakers, and refrigerators. In-room dining area, flat screen TV and private bathroom are included. A sofa bed, DVD player and CD player are also available in the room.
45€. Safety
How to keep in touch
Around
- Moieciu de Jos - Village among green pastures, center of artisan cheese production.
- Râșnov (15 km) - Can be reached by taxi or local bus (50 meters north of the castle entrance). Famous for its fortress.
- Sinaia (50 km) - Famous health resort in the Prahova Valley with a fairytale castle that was the summer residence of the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen royalty. You need to book a guided tour, but it's worth it.
- Sighișoara - Medieval fortress which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Biertan - It has one of the largest Saxon fortresses in Transylvania. Bran has also become a rival of the city thanks to the elegant villas built in recent years. Living immersed in a still almost uncontaminated nature, in a place inhabited by hardworking and welcoming people, has given a huge boost to tourism in recent years.
- Ski resorts - Rural tourism has been practiced in the region for several decades, representing a valid alternative to the large hotels in the localities of Valea Prahovei or Poiana Brașov. Poiana Brașov station is a ski resort, but also a place to spend the summer holidays. Access from Rasnov is quite short (9 km).
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Bran (Brașov)
Commons contains images or other files on Bran (Brașov)
