The Fortress of Brasov

About The Fortress of Brasov

Strategically overlooking the town and the plains to North, The Citadel (or The Fortress)is part of Brasov's outer fortification system. At first some wooden protective walls was erected here, later, in 1529, destroyed by Petru Rares. On the same spot they built a stone citadel called Cetatuia (1553), destroyed by fire in 1618 and re-built in 1625. For protective purposes the inhabitants added to the initial building four massive stone bastions in 1630. The citadel was abandoned later, after technological innovations made cannons stronger than the building. It served as a prison for a while.

Nowadays the citadel was turned into a restaurant called Cetate. If you visit the restaurant remember to take a tour and admire the collection of Medieval weapons hanged on the walls and to drop a penny in the well (81 m deep) for good luck. In the center of the Citadel there is a narrow courtyard displaying shields, lances, a canon and coat of arms.

The Fortress or the Citadel is called in Romanian 'Cetate', the name one should use if want to ask the locals for information about it. It is not difficult to be found, as it is at the top of the hill across from the Central Park.