Brașov

Brașov is a big city in Romania.

It sits in a place called Transylvania. Tall mountains are all around it.

Long ago, people built walls to protect the city. These walls kept the people safe. There is a very large church called the Black Church.

Many people live in this busy city. They work in many different ways. Some people even make tractors there. It is a very special place to see.

Brașov is a large city in Romania.

It sits in a region called Transylvania. The city is in the middle of the country. High mountains called the Southern Carpathians surround it.

Many people live in Brașov. About 237,589 people lived there in 2021. The city has a long history. Long ago, people built strong walls to protect it.

One famous building is the Black Church. It is a very large church.

Brașov was a busy place for trade. Merchants moved goods between different lands. This helped the city grow. In the past, the city had many names. It was once called Stalin City. It changed back to Brașov in 1960.

The city also has many factories. One factory made the first Romanian tractor.

Today, people visit for many reasons. They can see old buildings or visit the mountains. It is a very important part of Romania.

Brașov is a large and busy city in Romania. It sits in the central part of the country.

The city is located in a historical region called Transylvania. High mountains known as the Southern Carpathians surround the area.

Brașov is the seat of Brașov County. In 2021, about 237,589 people lived in the city itself. The whole metropolitan area was home to 371,802 residents. It is the sixth largest city in Romania.

The city has many different names from its long past. Some people think the name comes from the Bârsa River.

Others believe it comes from a word meaning "white water." In the Middle Ages, it was also called Corona or Kronstadt. The name Kronstadt means "Crown City" in German. The city even had its name changed to Stalin City in 1950. It changed back to its original name in 1960. These names show how many different groups lived there.

People have lived in this area for a very long time. Some traces of human activity date back to the Neolithic age.

Archaeologists found old settlements on hills like Tâmpa and Șprenghi. Later, the Teutonic Knights built a fortress to protect the border. Between 1141 and 1300, Hungarian kings invited Saxon settlers to live there. These settlers helped build towns and work the land. They also helped develop mines in the region. This helped the city grow into a strong place.

Brașov was a very important hub for trade and crafts. Merchants used the city to move goods between Turkey and Austria.

This wealth helped build beautiful buildings and strong walls. The city had many gates, like Poarta Ecaterinei, to keep people safe. A huge fire in 1689 destroyed much of the walled city. It took many decades for the people to rebuild it. One of the most famous buildings is the Black Church. Some say it is the largest Gothic church in Southeastern Europe.

The city is also known for its industry and learning. In the past, a large factory made the first Romanian tractor.

This machine was called the IAR 22. Today, the city has many students at Transilvania University.

People also visit the nearby mountains for fun.

Brașov mixes its old history with new life. It remains a central part of Romanian culture and economy.

Brașov is a major urban center in the central part of Romania. It serves as the administrative seat for Brașov County. The city is located within the historical region of Transylvania. It sits north of Bucharest and is far from the Black Sea.

The Southern Carpathians mountain range surrounds the city. According to the 2021 census, the city has 237,589 inhabitants. The broader metropolitan area supports 371,802 residents. This makes Brașov the sixth most populous city in Romania.

The city's name has many different origins and forms. Some linguists suggest it comes from the Bârsa River. They believe Slavic speakers transformed the river's name into Barsov and then Brașov. Others suggest a Turkic origin. They propose the name comes from the word *barasu*, meaning "white water."

In the Middle Ages, the city was known as Corona or Kronstadt. The German name Kronstadt means "Crown City." The name Corona is a Latin word for "crown." Some believe this refers to the St. Catherine's Monastery. The city also held the name Stephanopolis. In 1950, a decree changed the name to Orașul Stalin. It reverted to Brașov in 1960.

Human activity in this region dates back to the Neolithic age. This was around 9500 BCE. Archaeologists have found continuous settlement traces in several local areas. These include Valea Cetății, Pietrele lui Solomon, and Tâmpa. Some sites show evidence of Dacian citadels. Other locations, like Șprenghi Hill, held Roman-style constructions.

Even earlier traces exist from the Bronze Age. These are linked to the Schneckenberg and Noua cultures. These findings show the area has been important for thousands of years.

The development of the city was shaped by the Transylvanian Saxons. Hungarian kings invited these settlers between 1141 and 1300. They came from regions like the Rhineland, Flanders, and Bavaria. They were tasked with building mines and cultivating the land. In 1211, King Andrew II ordered the Teutonic Knights to fortify the Burzenland. They built the fortified town of Kronstadt on the site of Brașov. The colonists lived in three distinct settlements: Corona, Martinsberg, and Bartholomä.

Brașov became a vital commercial hub due to its geography. It sat at the intersection of trade routes. These routes linked the Ottoman Empire with Western Europe. Saxon merchants gained great wealth through trade and crafts. This wealth helped fund the city's many fortifications. Different craftsmen's guilds maintained various towers in the walls. A massive fire in 1689 destroyed much of the walled city. Rebuilding the city took several decades. The Black Church remains a famous landmark from this era.

The city has a diverse population history. In 1850, the population was 21,782 people. At that time, 40.7% were Germans and 40% were Romanians. By 1910, the population grew to 41,056. The ethnic makeup changed during this period. In 1916, the Romanian Army occupied the city during the First World War. Following World War I, Transylvania joined the Romanian state in 1918. This changed the political landscape of the region. Later, during the communist era, many ethnic Germans emigrated to West Germany.

Industrial growth has been a major part of Brașov's modern history. Large-scale industry began during the inter-war period. One major plant was the IAR Brașov aeroplane manufacturing plant. This factory produced the first Romanian fighter planes for World War II. After 1944, the plant began making agricultural tractors. It produced the IAR 22, the first Romanian-made wheeled tractor.

During the communist era, heavy industry was prioritized. This attracted many workers from other parts of Romania. Today, the city also focuses on education and tourism. Transilvania University is a major institution here.

People also visit the nearby mountains for recreation.