“Romania 🇷🇴 ~The Black Church and Old-World Brasov”
After we enjoyed our time in Rasnov, we drove on up to Brasov. From Brasov, we drove to our next site of Fagaras, and finished the evening in Sibiu. It was a huge day to take on all we did, but we loved every second of it! Having the rental vehicle makes getting around Romania very quick. I wouldn’t trade my first trip here, doing the backpacking and trains, but it was the slower way to go.
Out of all the Balkan countries, it feels like Romania is the easiest one to drive around in. It could also mean after months of exploring the Peninsula, we might be getting more familiar. But, Romania does a great job with traffic signage and it helps so much. There is also a few more signs in English around towns and cities, which we appreciate. In addition to that, Romanians are some of the nicest people on the planet, in my (our experience), so its easy and pleasant to be here.
Brasov
First stop was to check out the Black Church. I don’t think I have ever seen a church quite like this one. Its not the biggest church I’ve seen, but it is the biggest, and sturdiest looking, solid chunks of stone church I have seen. Its history proves it is one tough church. Its amazing inside, and it will astound you! It still has soot left over from the medieval days, on parts of its exterior.
Declared a nature reserve for its many species of plant and animals, including one-third of Romania’s butterfly species, this mountain has a maximum altitude of just over 3,149 feet and is one of the best-known images of Brasov. You can reach the top on foot; either on the hiking trail or paved stairs. Or, by cable car.
There are so many things that make this church stand out even among other, equally famous constructions of the same kind, that one would have trouble identifying the most important element.
It could be the fact that it is the largest Gothic church in south-eastern Europe, or that its spire hosts the largest bell in the whole of Romania; a bronze contraption weighing six tons.
All of these examples are just some of the many fascinating aspects of this creation. Walking into the huge cathedral, it becomes crystal-clear, this grand place is, indeed, grand on so many levels!
The Black Church, built in the very center of Brașov, was erected in 1380 as a Catholic church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and subsequently passed into the hands of the Evangelicals. Between the 15th and 17th centuries, the church was affected by several earthquakes, as well as a violent fire, where the church was seriously damaged in 1689, which destroyed much of the city as well. The church walls were blackened by the flames and the church, originally named Saint Mary, became known as the Black Church.This was how the church acquired its current name.
The Black Church of Brașov hosts the second largest collection of Oriental carpets in Europe, most of them dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. Approximately 110 such carpets are on display inside the church, creating a very vivid and colorful atmosphere, in stark contrast with the “blackness” of the rest of the church.
At almost 292 feet long and almost 125 feet wide, the Black Church stands as the biggest Gothic place of worship of south-eastern Europe; being able to accommodate about 5000 people at a time. It is also the largest sacred building in Romania, the greatest hall church east of Wien, and one of the most important medieval places of worship in Europe. Architecturally, it is a hall church pertaining to the late Gothic era, with a choir area, a nave and a tower. The exterior of the choir is supported by 15 buttresses, each of them fitted with a small canopy and a miniature statue underneath it. This is a rare feature in Transylvanian churches.
Inside, one of the most impressive sights is the enormous organ, made between 1836 and 1839. It has 3993 pipes and is breathtakingly beautiful.
This is indeed a Cathedral of giants.
Brasov is one of those amazing European cities that just feels warm and fuzzy to walk around in. Like other European places, the central squares and old towns draw in the people, and laughter echos across the courtyards, as families hang out, and children chase the pigeons. Summer holiday is winding down for many families, but there are still plenty of people. Businesses are open: Vendors, selling their wares, hotels, bars and restaurants, as well. If there is a pandemic going on, one would not realise it being here; though masks are worn in museums, and other closed in places, like forts, and castles, during touring.
Brasov is the core of the historical Country of Barsei, donated in 1211 by the Hungarian King Andrei the 2nd to the Teutonic Knights who settled the area and founded the city of Brasov a few years later.
First documented in writing, in 1235, under the Latin name of Corona, Brasov was also known as Krondstat in German or Brassso in Hungarian. Its strategic location on the commercial route that linked the three Romanian provinces and the Balkans to the Baltic States made it a fast-developing economic center, especially after the second part of the 14th century. Its commercial importance meant also political leverage, acknowledged through its status of a free royal city that empowered the rights of local Saxons.
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Hello and Welcome to our Travel Blog Website, We enjoy writing about our experiences and taking photos of our adventuring along the way. Our names are: Daryl and Pen, but Daryl calls me “Bunny.” We met, quite randomly, whilst both… Read More
Absolutely awesome, I am loving Romania!! Enjoyed a couple of giggles at the following autocorrects in your post – “around the corset” is the best but it was also fun trying to figure out what you meant by the “priceless thesaurus” and “get you strong.” I know you are always on the move and, to be honest, I am FLOORED that you’re both able to post and write as flawlessly as you do! So please don’t see this as criticism – I think you know by now that I love you both!! <3
Ha! I use to have a disclosure about forgive typos due to my rushing. I should put it back. With all writing, it takes several edits after getting away from the writing for awhile. Yes it is a process and damn that autocorrect!
I also do all of Daryls edits. I got to go to bed at 2AM last night. It does get tiring, when we are this busy. It is a miracle it gets done! I know you do not criticize. We do know each other well enough for some fun!