Brașov#Stephanopolis, Orașul Stalin

{{Short description|City in Brașov County, Romania}}

{{use dmy dates |date=December 2024}}

{{Infobox settlement

| official_name = Brașov

| other_name =

| settlement_type = Municipality

| image_skyline = {{multiple image

|total_width = 280px

|perrow = 1/2/3/1

|border = infobox

|caption_align = center

|image1 = Cetăţuia Brasov - panoramio.jpg

|alt1 =

|caption1 = Cetățuia de pe Strajă

|image2 = RO BV Brașov Biserica Neagră 04.jpg

|alt2 =

|caption2 = Black Church

|image3 = Brașov (53742346929).jpg

|alt3 =

|caption3 = View of Tâmpa from Council Square

|image4 = PSFix 20190920 211223 (1).jpg

|alt4 =

|caption4 = St. Nicholas Church

|image5 = Ro Bv Poarta-Ecaterina (2).jpg

|alt5 =

|caption5 =Catherine's Gate

|image6 =BvSforii3.jpg

|alt6 =

|caption6 = Strada Sforii

|image7 = Brașov, Piața Sfatului - Flickr - Jorge Franganillo.jpg

|alt7 =

|caption7 = Council Square and the Brașov County Museum of History

}}

| image_flag = Drapelul Municipiului Brașov 2024.png

| image_shield = Stema Municipiului Brașov 2024.png

| shield_size = 70px

| image_map = Brasov jud Brasov.svg

| map_caption = Location in Brașov County

| pushpin_map = Romania

| pushpin_mapsize = 250

| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Brașov within Romania

| coordinates = {{coord|45|40|N|25|37|E|region:RO|display=inline,title}}

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = {{ROU}}

| subdivision_type1 = County

| subdivision_type2 = Status

| subdivision_name1 = Brașov

| subdivision_name2 = {{Autolink|County capital}}

| established_title = First mentioned

| established_date = 1235

| leader_party = PNL

| leader_title = Mayor {{no bold|(2024–2028)}}

| leader_name = George Scripcaru{{cite web |url=https://prezenta.roaep.ro/locale09062024/romania/pv-final |title=Results of the 2024 local elections |publisher=Central Electoral Bureau |access-date=21 October 2024 }}

| area_total_km2 = 267.32

| area_metro_km2 = 1368.5

| elevation_m = 538

| population_as_of = 2021 census

| population_total = 237,589

| population_footnotes = {{cite web|url=https://www.recensamantromania.ro/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Tabel-1.03_1.3.1-si-1.03.2.xls|title=Populaţia rezidentă după grupa de vârstă, pe județe și municipii, orașe, comune, la 1 decembrie 2021|publisher=INSSE|language=ro|date=31 May 2023}}

| pop_est_as_of =

| population_est =

| population_metro_footnotes =

| population_metro = 371,802

| population_demonyms = {{lang|ro|brașovean}}, {{lang|ro|brașoveancă}}

| demographics_type1 = Population by ethnicity

| demographics1_footnotes =

| demographics1_title1 = Romanians

| postal_code_type = Postal code

| postal_code = RO 500xxx

| area_code = (+40) 268

| registration_plate = BV

| website = {{URL|https://www.brasovcity.ro}}

| timezone = EET

| utc_offset = +2

| timezone_DST = EEST

| utc_offset_DST = +3

| demographics1_info1 = 91.2%

| demographics1_title2 = Hungarians

| demographics1_info2 = 7.9%

| demographics1_title3 = Germans
(Transylvanian Saxons)

| demographics1_info3 = 0.5%

| demographics1_title4 = Roma

| demographics1_info4 = 0.4%

| name =

}}

Brașov ({{IPAc-en|UK|b|r|æ|ˈ|ʃ|ɒ|v}}, {{IPAc-en|US|b|r|ɑː|ˈ|ʃ|ɔː|v|,_|-|ɔː|f}},{{Cite American Heritage Dictionary|Brasov|access-date=10 May 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/Brasov |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510204506/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/Brasov |url-status=dead |archive-date=2019-05-10 |title=Braşov |work=oxforddictionaries.com}} (US) and {{Cite dictionary |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Bra%C5%9Fov |title=Braşov |dictionary=Oxford Dictionaries UK English Dictionary |publisher=Oxford University Press}}{{dead link|date=September 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{Cite Merriam-Webster|Braşov|access-date=10 May 2019}} {{IPA|ro|braˈʃov|lang|Ro-Brașov.ogg}}; {{langx|de|Kronstadt}}, also Brasau; {{langx|hu|Brassó}} {{IPA|hu|ˈbrɒʃːoː|}}; {{langx|la|Corona}}; Transylvanian Saxon: Kruhnen) is a city in Transylvania, Romania and the county seat (i.e. administrative centre) of Brașov County.

According to the 2021 census, with 237,589 inhabitants, Brașov is the 6th most populous city in Romania.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-esential-26058967-harta-interactiva-populatia-romaniei-fiecare-localitate-din-tara-recensamantul-2021-2011-cele-mai-mari-creseri-cele-mai-drastice-scaderi.htm|title=Populația României în fiecare localitate din țară - Recensământul 2021 vs. 2011|publisher=hotnews.ro|language=ro|date=2 February 2023}} The metropolitan area was home to 371,802 residents.

Brașov is located in the central part of the country, about {{convert|166|km|0|abbr=on}} north of Bucharest and {{convert|380|km|0|abbr=on}} from the Black Sea. It is surrounded by the Southern Carpathians and is part of the historical region of Transylvania.

Historically, the city was the centre of the Burzenland ({{langx|ro|Țara Bârsei}}), once dominated by the Transylvanian Saxons ({{langx|de|Siebenbürger Sachsen}}), and a significant commercial hub on the trade roads between Austria (then Archduchy of Austria, within the Habsburg monarchy, and subsequently Austrian Empire) and Turkey (then Ottoman Empire). It is also where the national anthem of Romania was first sung.

Names

=Brassovia, Brassó, Brașov, etc.=

According to Dragoș Moldovanu, the name of Brașov came from the name of local river named Bârsa (also pronounced as "Bărsa") that was adopted by Slavs and transformed to Barsa, and later to Barsov, finally to Brasov.{{cite journal |first=Dragoș |last=Moldovanu |title=Toponimie de origine romană în Transilvania și în sud-vestul Moldovei |journal=Anuarul de lingvistică și istorie literară, XLIX-L |url=http://alil.academiaromana-is.ro/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Toponime-de-origine-roman%C4%83-%C3%AEn-Transilvania-%C5%9Fi-%C3%AEn-sud-vestul-Moldovei.pdf |year=2009 |location=Bucuresti |page=59 }} According to Pál Binder, the current Romanian and the Hungarian name {{lang|hu|Brassó}} ({{IPA|hu|ˈbrɒʃʃoː|}}) are derived from the Turkic word barasu, meaning "white water" with a Slavic suffix -ov.{{cite book |title=Relații interetnice în Transilvania (secolele VI-XIII) |trans-title=Interethnic relations in Transylvania (6th-13th century) |first=Alexandru |last=Madgearu |url=http://arheologie.ulbsibiu.ro/publicatii/bibliotheca/relatii%20interetnice%20in%20transilvania/6%20madgearu/articol1.htm |trans-chapter=Romanians and Pecenegs in Southern Transylvania |chapter=Români și pecenegi în sudul Transilvaniei |lang=ro |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20100108011943/http://arheologie.ulbsibiu.ro/publicatii/bibliotheca/relatii%20interetnice%20in%20transilvania/6%20madgearu/articol1.htm |archive-date=2010-01-08 |publisher=Editura Economică |via=arheologie.ulbsibiu.ro |year=2005 |isbn=973-709-158-2}} Other linguists proposed various etymologies including an Old Slavic anthroponym Brasa.{{cite book |last=Drăganu |first=Nicolae |title=Români in veacurile IX—XIV pe baza toponimiei şi a onomasticei |trans-title=The Romanians in the 9th - 14th Centuries According to Toponymy and Onomastics |publisher=Imprimeria Națională |year=1933 |location=București |page=560 }}{{cite book |isbn=9789027931719 |last=Austerlitz |first=Robert |chapter='Brasov-Brasso'-Kronstadt-Berries and Bushes |title=in Xenia Slavica; Papers Presented to Gojko Ruzicic on the Occasion of his Seventy-Fifth Birthday, 2 February 1969 |editor-first=Rado |editor-last=Lenček |editor-link=Rado Lenček |editor-link2=Boris Unbegaun |editor-first2=Boris O. |editor-last2=Unbegaun |location=The Hague |publisher=Mouton |year=1975 |page=19 |doi=10.1515/9783111396835-004 }} The first attested mention of this name is Terra Saxonum de Barasu ("Saxon Land of Baras") in a 1252 document issued by Béla IV of Hungary. According to some historians, Corona was name of the city-fortress while Brassó was referring to the county, while others consider both names may refer to the city and the county as well.{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}

=Corona, Kronstadt=

According to Balázs Orbán, the name Corona{{snd}}a Latin word meaning "crown" – is first mentioned in the Catalogus Ninivensis in 1235 AD, stating a monastic quarter existed in the territory of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cumania (In Hungaria assignata est paternitas Dyocesis Cumanie: Corona).{{cite book |url=https://mek.oszk.hu/04800/04804/html/index.html |author=Orbán Balázs |author-link=Balázs Orbán |title=A Székelyföld leírása VI |year=1868 |location=Pest |publisher=Panda és Frohna }} Pál Binder supposed it is a reference to the St. Catherine's Monastery. Others suggest the name derives from the old coat of arms of the city, as it is symbolized by the German name Kronstadt meaning "Crown City". The two names of the city, Kronstadt and Corona, were used simultaneously in the Middle Ages, along with the Medieval Latin Brassovia.

=Stephanopolis, Orașul Stalin=

File:1950 - Decretul de schimbare a numelui orasului Brasov in Orasul Stalin.jpg

Another historical name used for Brașov is Stephanopolis,{{cite book |first=J. G. Th. |last=Graesse |title=Orbis Latinus |title-link=Orbis Latinus |publisher=G. Schönfeld |location=Dresden |year=1861 }}, {{URN|nbn:de:s2w-3093}} ([http://www.columbia.edu/acis/ets/Graesse/orblatb.html html, with alphabetical search index]). from "Stephanos", crown, and "polis", city.

On 22 August 1950, Brașov was renamed Orașul Stalin (lit. Stalin City) after Joseph Stalin.{{cite web|url=http://www.traveltoromania.com/destinations/transylvania/brasov|title=Brasov – Travel To Romania|website=traveltoromania.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010045359/http://www.traveltoromania.com/destinations/transylvania/brasov|archive-date=2007-10-10|access-date=2008-01-04}} Constantin Ion Parhon, the nominal Head of State at the time, decreed the city be renamed "in honour of the great genius of working humanity, the leader of the Soviet people, the liberator and beloved friend of our people, Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin". The city's name reverted to Brașov in 1960.

History

{{Quote box

| title = Historical affiliations

| align = right

| bgcolor = #B0C4DE

| fontsize = 90%

| quote = {{flagdeco|Kingdom of Hungary (1301–1526)}} Kingdom of Hungary 1235–1526
{{flagicon image|Coa Hungary Country History John I of Hungary (Szapolyai) (1526-1540).svg}} Eastern Hungarian Kingdom 1526–1570
{{flagicon image|Arms of Transylvania in Cod. icon. 391.svg}} Principality of Transylvania 1570–1711
{{flagicon image|Transylvania - Siebenbürgen - Erdély - Transilvania v1.svg}} Grand Principality of Transylvania 1711–1804
{{flag|Austrian Empire}} 1804–1867
{{flag|Austria-Hungary}} 1867–1918 (de jure Hungary until 1920)
{{flag|Kingdom of Romania}} 1920–1947 (de facto from 1918)
{{flag|Romanian People's Republic}} 1947–1965
{{flag|Socialist Republic of Romania}} 1965–1989
{{flag|Romania}} 1989–present}}

The oldest traces of human activity and settlements in Brașov date back to the Neolithic age (about 9500 BCE). Archaeologists working from the last half of the 19th century discovered continuous traces of human settlements in areas situated in Brașov: Valea Cetății, Pietrele lui Solomon, Șprenghi, Tâmpa, Dealul Melcilor, and Noua. The first three locations show traces of Dacian citadels; Șprenghi Hill housed a Roman-style construction. The last two locations had their names applied to Bronze Age cultures — Schneckenberg ("Hill of the Snails"; Early Bronze Age){{sfn| Coles| Harding | 1979|p=140}} and Noua ("The New"; Late Bronze Age).{{sfn| Coles| Harding | 1979|p=410}}

Transylvanian Saxons played a decisive role in Brașov's development and were invited by Hungarian kings to develop towns, build mines, and cultivate the land of Transylvania at different stages between 1141 and 1300. The settlers came primarily from the Rhineland, Flanders, and the Moselle region, with others from Thuringia, Bavaria, Wallonia, and even France.

In 1211, by order of King Andrew II of Hungary, the Teutonic Knights fortified the Burzenland to defend the border of the Kingdom of Hungary. On the site of the village of Brașov, the Teutonic Knights built Kronstadt – 'the City of the Crown'.Mediaeval studies, Volumes 17-18, Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, 1955, Toronto, Canada, An annual journal of scholarship, History, {{ISSN|0076-5872}} Although the crusaders were evicted by 1225, the colonists they brought in long ago remained, along with local population in three distinct settlements they founded on the site of Brașov:

  • Corona, around the Black Church (Biserica Neagră);
  • Martinsberg, west of Cetățuia Hill;
  • Bartholomä, on the eastern side of Sprenghi Hill.

File:Brasov 1689.jpg

Germans living in Brașov were mainly involved in trade and crafts. The location of the city at the intersection of trade routes linking the Ottoman Empire and Western Europe, together with certain tax exemptions, allowed Saxon merchants to obtain considerable wealth and exert a strong political influence. They contributed a great deal to the architectural flavour of the city. Fortifications around the city were erected and continually expanded, with several towers maintained by different craftsmen's guilds, according to the medieval custom. Part of the fortification ensemble was recently restored using UNESCO funds, and other projects are ongoing. At least two entrances to the city, Poarta Ecaterinei (or Katharinentor) and Poarta Șchei (or Waisenhausgässertor), are still in existence. The city centre is marked by the mayor's former office building (Casa Sfatului) and the surrounding square (piața), which includes one of the oldest buildings in Brașov, the Hirscher Haus. Nearby is the "Black Church" (Biserica Neagră), which some claim to be the largest Gothic style church in Southeastern Europe.

In 1689, a great fire destroyed the walled city almost entirely, and its rebuilding lasted several decades.

Besides the German (Saxon) population living in the walled city and in the northern suburbs, Brașov had also a significant Romanian and Bulgarian population (living in the Șchei district), and also some Hungarian population (living in the Blumăna district). The cultural and religious importance of the Romanian church and school in Șchei is underlined by the generous donations received from more than thirty hospodars of Moldavia and Wallachia, as well as that from Elizabeth of Russia. In the 17th and 19th centuries, the Romanians in Șchei campaigned for national, political, and cultural rights, and were supported in their efforts by Romanians from all other provinces, as well as by the local Greek merchant community. In 1838, they established the first Romanian language newspaper Gazeta Transilvaniei and the first Romanian institutions of higher education: Școlile Centrale Greco-Ortodoxe ("The Greek-Orthodox Central Schools", today named after Andrei Șaguna). The Holy Roman Emperor and sovereign of Transylvania Joseph II awarded Romanians citizenship rights for a brief period during the latter decades of the 18th century.

In 1850, the town had 21,782 inhabitants: 8,874 (40.7%) Germans, 8,727 (40%) Romanians, 2,939 (13.4%) Hungarians.{{cite web|url=http://varga.adatbank.transindex.ro/?pg=3&action=etnik&id=5861|title=Erdély etnikai és felekezeti statisztikája|website=varga.adatbank.transindex.ro|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219010951/http://varga.adatbank.transindex.ro/?pg=3&action=etnik&id=5861|archive-date=2007-12-19|access-date=2007-11-26}} In 1910 there were 41,056 inhabitants: 17,831 (43.4%) Hungarians, 11,786 (28.7%) Romanians, 10,841 (26.4%) Germans.

On 29 August 1916, during the First World War, the Romanian Army occupied Brașov. Romanian troops entered the city at around five o'clock p.m. and paraded towards the city square. Romanian rule over the city lasted until early October, when the area was retaken by the Central Powers in the Battle of Brassó (7-9 October 1916).{{cite book |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt16gzjqg |jstor=j.ctt16gzjqg |title=Prelude to Blitzkrieg: The 1916 Austro-German Campaign in Romania |last1=Barrett |first1=Michael B. |date=2013 |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=978-0-253-00865-7 |page=26 and 122 }} The Romanian mayor installed during the brief Romanian occupation was Gheorghe Baiulescu. His term lasted from 29 August, when the city was occupied by the Romanian Army, until 8 October – the height of the Battle of Brașov. On 9 October, at the end of the battle, the previous mayor Karl Ernst Schnell was reinstated.{{Cite web |url=http://www.brasovcity.ro/documente/municipiu/primarii-brasovului.pdf |title=PRIMARII BRAȘOVULUI (in Romanian), p. 4 |access-date=2019-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630062124/http://brasovcity.ro/documente/municipiu/primarii-brasovului.pdf |archive-date=2017-06-30 |url-status=dead }}

File:Brasov 1906.JPG in the lower-left, looking north towards the fortress on Straja hill, in 1906]]

Following the collapse of Austria-Hungary, the 1 December 1918 Proclamation of the Union of Alba Iulia, adopted by deputies of the Romanians from Transylvania, Banat, Crișana and Maramureș during the Great National Assembly of Alba Iulia declared the union of Transylvania into the Romanian state. Brașov was permanently occupied by Romanian forces on 7 December, as Hungarians gradually withdrew northwards. The King and some Transylvanians suggested that - because of Brașov's central geographical location in the new Romania - it should be considered as the new national capital. Though this did not happen - the inter-war period was a time of flourishing economy and cultural life in general, including the Saxons in Brașov. However, at the end of World War II many ethnic Germans were forcibly deported to the Soviet Union. A majority of them emigrated to West Germany after Romania had become a communist country.

File:RoBrasovCentruCivic.jpg

The first Jewish community in Brașov was established in 1828, joining the Neolog association in 1868. Orthodox Jews founded their religious organization in 1877. The Neolog synagogue, seating 800, was built between 1899 and 1905. During the interwar period, the communities had separate institutions, but opened a jointly managed school in 1940. Zionist organizations appeared already in 1920. By 1930, Jews numbered 2594 individuals, or 4% of the total population. In autumn 1940, during the National Legionary State, the antisemitic Iron Guard nationalized all Jewish institutions and seized most shops owned by Jews. In 1941, Jews were drafted for service in forced labour battalions. Those from throughout southern Transylvania were concentrated in Brașov; a further 200 refugees came from Ploiești. In August 1942, 850 Jews between the ages of 18 and 50 were drafted into labour battalions and ordered to work in Brașov, while others were sent to Predeal and Bran. In spring 1943, 250 youths were sent to Suraia camp to build fortifications. By August 1944, the labour battalions were reduced to 250-300 while most of the Jews managed to obtain their freedom. In 1945–1946, the Jewish population increased to 3500.Shmuel Spector, Geoffrey Wigoder (eds.), The Encyclopedia of Jewish Life Before and During the Holocaust: A-J, p. 182. NYU Press, 2001, {{ISBN|978-081-4793-76-3}}

Like many other cities in Transylvania, Brașov is also home to a significant ethnic Hungarian minority.

During the communist period, industrial development was vastly accelerated. Under Nicolae Ceaușescu's rule, the city was the site of the 1987 Brașov strike. This was brutally repressed by the authorities and resulted in numerous workers being imprisoned.

Economy

File:UTB - IAR-22 tractor 1.jpg]

Industrial development in Brașov started in the inter-war period, with one of the largest factories being the aeroplane manufacturing plant (IAR Brașov), which produced the first Romanian fighter planes used during World War II. After signing the armistice with USSR on September 12, 1944, the factory started repairing trucks, and in October 1945 it began manufacturing agricultural tractors. IAR 22 was the first Romanian-made wheeled tractor. In 1948 the company was renamed Uzina Tractorul Brașov known internationally as Universal Tractor Brașov.

A big part of the factory was demolished during 2013 and 2014 giving way to buildings, shopping mall and recreation parks. Aircraft manufacturing resumed in 1968 at first under the name ICA and then under its old name of IAR at a new location in nearby Ghimbav.

Industrialization was accelerated in the Communist era, with special emphasis being placed on heavy industry, attracting many workers from other parts of the country. Heavy industry is still abundant, including Roman, which manufactures MAN AG trucks as well as native-designed trucks and coaches. Although the industrial base has been in decline in recent years, Brașov is still a site for manufacturing hydraulic transmissions, auto parts, ball-bearings, construction materials, hand tools, furniture, textiles and shoe-wear. There is also a large brewery. {{citation needed|date=August 2018}}

Geography

Braşov is situated in central Romania, {{convert|85|km}} northwest of Ploiești.{{cite book |last1=Cohen |first1=Saul Bernard |title=The Columbia Gazetteer of the World: A to G |date=2008 |publisher=Columbia University Press |isbn=978-0-231-14554-1 |page=516 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C6PLxz8EMk0C |language=en}} It is at the foot of the Transylvanian Alps.

=Climate=

Brașov has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification: Dfb).

{{Weather box

|width = auto

|location = Brașov

|metric first = yes

|single line = yes

|Jan high C = -0.3

|Feb high C = 1.7

|Mar high C = 7.6

|Apr high C = 14.0

|May high C = 19.2

|Jun high C = 22.1

|Jul high C = 24.0

|Aug high C = 23.9

|Sep high C = 20.3

|Oct high C = 14.5

|Nov high C = 7.2

|Dec high C = 1.5

|Jan mean C = -4.3

|Feb mean C = -2.3

|Mar mean C = 2.6

|Apr mean C = 8.3

|May mean C = 13.4

|Jun mean C = 16.4

|Jul mean C = 18.1

|Aug mean C = 17.8

|Sep mean C = 14.2

|Oct mean C = 8.7

|Nov mean C = 3.1

|Dec mean C = -1.9

|Jan low C = -8.3

|Feb low C = -6.2

|Mar low C = -2.3

|Apr low C = 2.6

|May low C = 7.6

|Jun low C = 10.8

|Jul low C = 12.3

|Aug low C = 11.8

|Sep low C = 8.1

|Oct low C = 3.0

|Nov low C = -1.0

|Dec low C = -5.2

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 31

|Feb precipitation mm = 28

|Mar precipitation mm = 30

|Apr precipitation mm = 50

|May precipitation mm = 79

|Jun precipitation mm = 97

|Jul precipitation mm = 94

|Aug precipitation mm = 73

|Sep precipitation mm = 49

|Oct precipitation mm = 38

|Nov precipitation mm = 36

|Dec precipitation mm = 32

|source = {{cite web

|url = https://en.climate-data.org/location/3291/

|title = Climate: Brașov

|publisher = Climate-Data.org

|access-date = 2 February 2018

|url-status = live

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180202190319/https://en.climate-data.org/location/3291/

|archive-date = 2 February 2018

}}

}}

Demographics

{{Historical populations

|type =

|footnote = Sources: 1930-1948 censuses,[https://sas.unibuc.ro/storage/downloads/analize-regionale-9/AG48a.RECENSAMANT48.pdf Populatia RPR la 25 ianuarie 1948, p. 14] 1956 census,{{cite book |last1=Measnicov |first1=Ioan |last2=Hristache |first2=Ilie |last3=Trebici |first3=Vladimir |date=1977 |title=Demografia orașelor României |location=București |publisher=Editura științifică și enciclopedică |page=190 |isbn=}} 1966 census, 2011 census.{{cite web|url=http://www.recensamantromania.ro/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/sR_TAB_3.xlsx |title=Population at 20 October 2011 |date=5 July 2013 |access-date=5 July 2013 |publisher=INSSE |language=ro }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} 1975 and 1983 data are estimates.

|1890 | 30781

|1900 | 34511

|1910 | 41056

|1930 | 59232

|1941 | 84557

|1948 | 82984

|1956 | 123834

|1966 | 163345

|1975 (est.) | 206156

|1983 (est.) | 331240

|1992 | 323736

|2002 | 284596

|2011 | 253200

|2021 | 237589

}}

Brașov has a total population of 237,589 (2021 census).

Its ethnic composition includes (as of 2011):

In 2005, the Brașov metropolitan area was created. With its surrounding localities, Brașov had 371,802 inhabitants {{As of|2021|lc=y}}.

Administration

Brașov is administered by a mayor and a local council. The current mayor of Brașov (starting October 21, 2024) is George Scripcaru from the National Liberal Party (PNL).

The Brașov Local Council, elected at the 2024 Romanian local elections, is made up of 27 counselors, with the following party composition:

class="wikitable"

! style="background:#ccc" |    

! style="background:#ccc" | Party

! style="background:#ccc" | Seats

! style="background:#ccc" colspan="13" | Current Local Council

{{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}}  

| National Coalition for Romania (PSD-PNL)

| style="text-align: right" | 13

| {{party color cell|National Liberal Party (Romania)}}  

| {{party color cell|National Liberal Party (Romania)}}  

| {{party color cell|National Liberal Party (Romania)}}  

| {{party color cell|National Liberal Party (Romania)}}  

| {{party color cell|National Liberal Party (Romania)}}  

| {{party color cell|National Liberal Party (Romania)}}  

| {{party color cell|National Liberal Party (Romania)}}  

| {{party color cell|National Liberal Party (Romania)}}  

| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}}  

| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}}  

| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}}  

| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}}  

| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party (Romania)}}  

{{party color cell|Save Romania Union}}  

| United for Brașov Alliance (USR-PMP-FD-FDGR)

| style="text-align: right" | 11

| {{party color cell|Save Romania Union}}  

| {{party color cell|Save Romania Union}}  

| {{party color cell|Save Romania Union}}  

| {{party color cell|Save Romania Union}}  

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Education

=Primary schools=

  • 30 Primary Schools

=High schools=

  • Colegiul Național "Andrei Șaguna"
  • Colegiul Național "Dr. Ioan Meșotă"
  • Colegiul Național de Informatică "Grigore Moisil"
  • Colegiul Național "Unirea"
  • Colegiul Național Johannes Honterus
  • Colegiul Național "Áprily Lajos"
  • Liceul "Andrei Mureșanu"
  • Colegiul de Științe ale Naturii "Emil Racoviță"
  • Liceul "Nicolae Titulescu"
  • Liceul Vocațional de Muzica "Tuodr Ciortea"
  • Liceul Vocațional de Arte Plastice "Hans Mattis-Teutsch"
  • Liceul cu Program Sportiv
  • Colegiul de Științe "Grigore Antipa”
  • Liceul Teoretic "Constantin Brâncoveanu"
  • Seminarul Teologic Liceal Ortodox "Dumitru Stăniloaie"
  • Colegiul Tehnic "Astra"
  • Colegiul Tehnic "Mircea Cristea"
  • Colegiul Tehnic "Iosif Silimon"
  • Colegiul Tehnic "Sfinții Voievozi"
  • Grupul Școlar de Arte și Meserii
  • Colegiul Tehnic "Remus Răduleț"
  • Colegiul Tehnic Feroviar
  • Grupul Școlar Industrial Auto
  • Colegiul Tehnic "Maria Baiulescu"
  • Grupul Școlar Industrial de Construcții Montaj
  • Colegiul National Economic "Andrei Bârseanu"
  • Grupul Școlar Silvic "Dr. Nicolae Rucăreanu"
  • Grupul Școlar de Turism și Alimentație Public
  • Liceul "FEG"
  • Liceul "Europa Unită"

=Universities=

  • Transilvania University of Brașov
  • George Barițiu University
  • Spiru Haret University
  • Christian University Dimitrie Cantemir
  • Academia Forțelor Aeriene Henri Coandă
  • Fundația Universitară Sfinții Apostoli Petru și Pavel
  • Sextil Pușcariu University
  • Universitatea Româno-Canadiană
  • American Hotel Academy

Transportation

File:Brasov Solaris articulated trolleybus 2021 in 2021.jpg 18 trolleybus on the streets of Brașov]]

The Brașov local transport network has 44 urban bus and trolleybus lines and 19 metropolitan bus lines. There are also regular bus lines serving Poiana Brașov, a nearby winter resort and part of the city of Brașov, and the Brașov-Ghimbav International Airport. All are operated by RAT Brașov.{{Cite web|title=S.C. RATBV S.A. Brasov - operatorul de transport public din Brasov|url=https://www.ratbv.ro/|access-date=2020-08-21|website=ratbv.ro}} Because of its central location, the Brașov railway station is one of the busiest stations in Romania with trains to/from most destinations in the country served by rail.{{citation needed|date=August 2018}}

The Brașov-Ghimbav International Airport is an international airport located in nearby Ghimbav, right by the future A3 motorway. It is the first airport to be developed in post-communist Romania, and the 17th commercial airport in the country. The contract for the construction of the main terminal building, with a total area of 11,780 m2 (126,799 sq ft), was awarded to the Romanian contractor Bog'Art Bucharest and was signed on 21 August 2019. Construction works for the passenger terminal started on 17 March 2020 and the first commercial flight took place on June 15, 2023.

CFR announced a feasibility study for the construction of a rail line (8 km) which would connect the airport to the Brașov railway station.

Tourism

File:RO BV Piata Sfatului on 21 March 2020.jpg)]]

With its central location, Brașov is a suitable location from which to explore Romania, and the distances to several tourist destinations (including the Black Sea resorts, the monasteries in northern Moldavia, and the wooden churches of Maramureș) are similar. It is also the largest city in a mountain resorts area. The old city is very well preserved and is best seen by taking the cable-car to the top of Tâmpa Mountain.

File:The Black church and the Tampa mountain.jpg and the BRAȘOV sign on the Tâmpa Mountain ]]

Temperatures from May to September fluctuate around {{convert|23|°C|0|abbr=on}}. Brașov benefits from a winter tourism season centred on winter sports and other activities. Poiana Brașov is the most popular Romanian ski resort and an important tourist centre preferred by many tourists from other European states.

The city ranks on the second place in terms of tourism arrivals countrywide, after the capital Bucharest.{{cite web |first=Sorin |last=Secli |lang=ro |trans-title=Brasov ranks second after Bucharest in terms of number of tourists. Sinaia and Predeal, favorite resorts for mountain vacations |access-date=18 December 2024 |website=brasov.net |url=https://www.brasov.net/brasovul-pe-locul-doi-dupa-bucuresti-la-numarul-de-turisti-sinaia-si-predeal-statiunile-preferate-pentru-vacantele-la-munte/ |title=Braşovul, pe locul doi după Bucureşti, la numărul de turişti. Sinaia şi Predeal, staţiunile preferate pentru vacanţele la munte |date=17 January 2024 }}

= Sights =

  • Biserica Neagră ("The Black Church"; {{langx|de|Die Schwarze Kirche}}), a celebrated Gothic site – the building dates from 1477, when it replaced an older church (demolished around 1385). It acquired the name after being blackened by smoke from the 1689 Great Fire.
  • Franciscan Church, Brașov
  • Casa Sfatului ("The mayor's former office building"). The administration for Brașov was here for more than 500 years.
  • Biserica Sf. Nicolae (St. Nicholas Church), dating back to the 14th century.
  • The First Romanian School, a museum with the first Romanian printing press among many other firsts.
  • The Rope Street, the narrowest street in Romania.
  • Turnul Negru, Old City Watch Tower.
  • Turnul Alb, Old City Watch Tower.
  • Șchei, the historically Bulgarian but then Romanian neighbourhood outside of the old walled city.
  • Catherine's Gate ({{langx|de|Katherines Tor}}), the only original city gate to have survived from medieval times.
  • Șchei Gate, next to Catherine's Gate, built in 1827.
  • Tâmpa, a small mountain in the middle of the city (900m above sea level), a sightseeing spot near the old city centre.
  • The "Brașov Citadel Fortress" – Cetățuia Brașovului
  • The nearby Bran Castle, attracting many fans of Dracula and often (but incorrectly) said to have been the home of Vlad the Impaler.{{cite news|last=Middleton|first=Christopher|title=Buy a stake in Dracula's castle|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/luxuryhomes/10817139/Buy-a-stake-in-Draculas-castle.html|newspaper=Daily Telegraph|date=11 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123045000/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/luxuryhomes/10817139/Buy-a-stake-in-Draculas-castle.html|archive-date=23 January 2015}}
  • Poiana Brașov, mainly a ski resort but also a sightseeing spot.
  • Râșnov Fortress, above the nearby town of Râșnov, is a restored peasant fortress
  • Prejmer Fortress ({{langx|de|Tartlau Festung}}), in the nearby commune of Prejmer ({{langx|de|Tartlau}})
  • Saint George's Church, Brașov

File:Castelul Bran2.jpg|Bran Castle ({{langx|de|Die Törzburg}}), situated in the immediate vicinity of Brașov

File:Turnul alb din Brașov; pe fundal se vede Tâmpa.jpg|White Tower with Mount Tâmpa in the background

File:Brasov, Piata Sfatului.jpg|Council Square

File:Brasov Biserica Neagra.jpg|Black Church ({{langx|de|Die Schwarze Kirche}})

File:Brasov seen from Tampa.JPG|City center seen from Mount Tâmpa

File:EcaterinaBv.jpg|Catherine's Gate ({{langx|de|Katherines Tor}})

File:Biserica „Sf. Nicolae” Scheii Brasovului.jpg|St. Nicholas Church

File:StrPoartaSchei8.jpg|Old Town street

File:Piata Unirii - panoramio (7).jpg|Union Square (Piața Unirii)

File:Prefectura Brasov - panoramio (1).jpg|Brașov County Prefecture

File:Primaria Brasov - panoramio (1).jpg|City Hall

Sport

File:Sala Sporturilor, Braşov, Romania, August 2013, 03.JPG

File:Poiana brasov podiemnik.jpg]]

The city has a long tradition in sports, the first sport associations being established at the end of the 19th century (Target shooting Association, Gymnastics School). The Transylvanian Sports Museum is among the oldest in the country and presents the evolution of consecrated sports in the city. During the communist period, universiades and Daciads were held, where local sportsmen were obliged to participate. Nowadays, the infrastructure of the city allows other sports to be practiced, such as football, rugby, tennis, cycling, handball, gliding, skiing, skating, mountain climbing, paintball, bowling, swimming, target shooting, basketball, martial arts, equestrian, volleyball or gymnastics. Annually, at "Olimpia" sports ground, the "Brașov Challenge Cup" tennis competition is held.

Colțea Brașov was the football champion in 1928, managing a second place in 1927, in its only 10 years of existence (1921–1931). It was succeeded by Brașovia Brașov.

Between 17 and 22 February 2013, the city hosted the 2013 European Youth Winter Olympic Festival.

{{As of|2012}}, Brașov is hosting two trail semi-marathons: the Semimaraton Intersport Brașov (held in April) and the Brașov International Marathon (held in April or May).

In November 2013, Brașov submitted their bid for the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics. They were up against Lausanne, Switzerland to be awarded the event. In December that year, the city was signed the Youth Olympic Game Candidature Procedure. The host city was to be announced in July 2015,{{cite web|url=http://www.olympic.org/content/press-release/new-horizons-for-olympic-movement-as-brasov-and-lausanne-bid-for-2020-winter-youth-olympic-games/|title=Press releases|date=8 January 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606213813/http://www.olympic.org/content/press-release/new-horizons-for-olympic-movement-as-brasov-and-lausanne-bid-for-2020-winter-youth-olympic-games/|archive-date=6 June 2014}} in which Lausanne was selected.

=Local teams=

=Sports venues=

Under construction

Sala Polivalentă (10,059 capacity) - under construction multi-purpose 10,059-seat indoor arena

  • Planned
  • Brașov Arena (23,000 seats) – planned football stadium on the site of the former Municipal Stadium
  • Existing
  • Silviu Ploeșteanu Stadium (8,500 seats) – built in 1960 for football, floodlights were installed in 2009
  • Dumitru Popescu Colibași Sports Hall (2,300 seats) – built around 1970 for indoor sports: handball, basketball, volleyball, sometimes others
  • Brașov Olympic Ice Rink (2,000 capacity: 1,600 seated, 400 standing) – inaugurated on February 18, 2010, used mainly for ice hockey and public skating
  • Demolished
  • Municipal Stadium (30,000 capacity) – built in 1975, used for 1 May and 23 August parades, rarely used for football matches (demolished in 2008)
  • Others
  • [http://paradisulacvatic.ro Paradisul Acvatic] - aquatic complex with 40m long swimming pool and three jumping platform (1 m, 3 m, 5.20 m)

=Notable events=

Media

The city of Brașov is home to several local media publications such as Transilvania Express, Monitorul Express, Bună Ziua Brașov or Brașovul Tău.{{cite web |url=http://www.apd.ro/map/files/presa%20locala%20monitorizata.pdf |title=Lista publicatiilor monitorizate - presa locala |lang=ro |trans-title=List of monitored publications - local press |access-date=2014-10-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060214164729/http://www.apd.ro/map/files/presa%20locala%20monitorizata.pdf |archive-date=2006-02-14 }} Also, several local television stations exist, such as RTT, MIX TV and Nova TV.{{cite web |url=http://infoportal.rtv.net/media~posturi-tv~din-brasov.html |title=Posturi locale de televiziune, Brasov |access-date=2014-10-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022204022/http://infoportal.rtv.net/media~posturi-tv~din-brasov.html |archive-date=2014-10-22 }}

Twin towns – sister cities

{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Romania}}

Brașov is twinned with:{{cite web |title=Statutul Municipiului Braşov|url=https://www.brasovcity.ro/file-zone/regulamente/primarie/Statutul-mun-Brasov.pdf|publisher=Brașov|pages=66–67|language=ro|access-date=2021-11-25}}{{cite web|title=Cleveland's Sister Cities|url=http://www.city.cleveland.oh.us/CityofCleveland/Home/Government/MayorsOffice/Office_of_Government_Affairs/SisterCities|publisher=City of Cleveland|access-date=2021-11-25|archive-date=2015-06-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615142633/http://www.city.cleveland.oh.us/CityofCleveland/Home/Government/MayorsOffice/Office_of_Government_Affairs/SisterCities|url-status=dead}}

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

  • {{flagicon|BIH}} Bijeljina, Republika Srpska / Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • {{flagicon|USA}} Cleveland, United States
  • {{flagicon|HUN}} Győr, Hungary
  • {{flagicon|DEN}} Holstebro, Denmark
  • {{flagicon|AUT}} Linz, Austria

{{div col end}}

Gallery

{{Panorama

|image = File:Brasov Panorama.jpg

|height = 300

|caption = Panoramic view of Brașov from Tâmpa Mountain

}}{{Panorama|image=File:Brașov panoramă.jpg|height=450|caption=Brașov in winter}}

See also

Notes

{{reflist}}

References

  • {{cite book

|last1 = Coles

|first1 = John

|last2 = Harding

|first2 = A.F.

|title = The Bronze Age in Europe pages 140

|publisher = Routledge

|year = 1979

|isbn = 978-0-416-70650-5

}}

  • "O istorie a Brașovului" ("A history of Brasov") – Ion Dumitrașcu, Mariana Maximescu, Phoenix, Brașov, 2001
  • "Fortificația dacică de la Brașov – Pietrele lui Solomon" ("The Dacian citadel from Brașov – Pietrele lui Solomon"), Fl. Costea, CumidavaXX, Brașov, 1996
  • "Săpăturile de salvare de pe dealul Șprenghi" ("The diggings for saving [the archaeological evidences] from Șprenghi Hill" – the hill was a quarry) A. Alexandrescu, N. Constantinescu, București, 1959
  • "Die spätneolitischen Ansiedlungen mit bemalter Keramik aus oberem Laufe des Altflusses", J. Teutsch, Mitteilungen der Prehistorischen Komision, I, Wien.

Further reading

  • {{Citation |title = Austria-Hungary, Including Dalmatia and Bosnia |publisher = Karl Baedeker |location=Leipzig |date = 1905 |oclc = 344268 |chapter-url= https://archive.org/stream/austriahungaryi00firgoog#page/n608/mode/2up |chapter= Kronstadt |ol = 20498317M }}