Brasov is situated in the central part of the the country being considered the second most important town in Romania. Located 160 km from Bucharest, Romania's capital, Brasov is surrounded like a halo by the Carpathians, being in the middle of the country at the crossroads of the the Eastern Carpathian and the Southern Carpathians. Across the mountains to the South and East there are Wallachia and Moldavia, to the West the Banat region and to the North the rolling hills of Northern Transylvania.

Stretching over a surface of 5,363 sq km the County of Brasov comprises Barsa depression and Fagaras land and in the North-Northeast Persani Mountains and the depression neighbored by Olt river and Tarnave (Hirtibaciului Plateau).

Brasov has a temperate-continental climate with cold and relatively wet weather in the mountains. The summer nights in Brasov could be a little chilly. The transition between summer and winter occurs gradually by the insertion of two other seasons called "spring" and "autumn". The average temperature is 7.6 degrees C and the annual average humidity in the air is 75%. The highest temperature in summer is 35.0 degrees C and the lowest in winter is -30 degree C. The yearly amount of rain is said to be 1300 mm/ sq. m in the mountains and 600 mm/ sq. m in depressions. Usually the wind is blowing from West with 1.5 to 3.2 m/s speed.

Fringed by the peaks of the Southern Carpathian Mountains and resplendent with gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture, as well as a wealth of historical attractions, Brasov is one of the most visited places in Romania.

Founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211 on an ancient Dacian site and settled by the Saxons as one of the seven walled citadels, Brasov exudes a distinct medieval ambiance and has been used as backdrop in many recent period films. The origins of Brasov as a medieval town are lost in the dark times. Archaeological discoveries mention life on this land since the Bronze Age, 60,000 years ago. The most impressive monument of the Antiquity is the Dacian Sanctuary of Racos, though, hardly accessible to tourists. Another testimony of life on this land is the Roman camp discovered in Rasnov, the former Northeastern border of the Roman empire. An inscription in stone reveals the ancient Dacian name of the land: Cumidava. The Dacian-Roman settlements (Brasov, Harman, Cristian, Feldioara) in this area stand proof that after the Romans retreat (the year 271) the inhabitants (Daco-Roman population) remained on this land.

Brasov was first mentioned as "Corona" ( which means, crown, hence the coat of arms of the city which is a crown with oak roots) in 1235, when the Saxon population settled here. Later on the town was known as Brasco, Brasso, Kronstadt, Brassovia Citadel and Stalin.

For centuries, the city was (and still is) Transylvania's gateway towards the South and East. As the renowned Harvard professor Samuel Huntington shows in his work "The Clash of Civilizations", this is where (ideologically) Europe ends. The fault line between the western and the eastern civilization runs indeed through Brasov, separating Transylvania from the rest of Romania.

Due to its geographical position, at the crossroads of Moldavia and Wallachia, Brasov has had a fast economic growth, becoming one of the most important markets in Transylvania. On the 14th century Brasov became one of the most economical and political strongholds in the Southeast of Europe and on the 16th century also a cultural center. Johannes Honterus, a great German humanist, worked most of the time in Brasov and Deaconu Coresi printed the first Romanian book also in Brasov.

As one might expect, the city had a troubled history. The Brasov defense fortifications were built between the 15th and the 17th centuries, as a consequence of the repeated invaders coming from the east and south. A significant part of the citadel walls are still standing.

On March, 1600, Mihai Viteazu visited Brasov and summoned "The Diet of Transylvania" recognizing the rights of Tara Birsei's inhabitants.

In 1688 when the Austrian army conquered Transylvania, Brasov was the last Bastion standing. 1689 was a one of the toughest years in the history of Brasov. On April, 21, a big fire destroyed most of the town and killed 3,000 people. Most of the houses were destroyed and Saint Maria Church, smoked by the fire, would become "The Black Church". The citizens rapidly rebuild the city.

In 1838 George Baritiu edited the first Romanian publications in Brasov: "Gazeta de Transilvania" and the "Paper for Mind, Heart and Literature". It was also issued a literary review that was promoting the Romanian writers and poets in Transylvania.

In the period following the 1st World War, Brasov became a strong economical center in Europe, but the town was partly destroyed during the 2nd World War. It was rebuilt and the historical buildings were restored. During the second half of the 20th century, the communist administration forcefully industrialized the city, bringing here workers from the rest of Romania, and determining population of German or Jewish origin to leave the city in droves.

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 in the region. This was reflected in the city's German name, Kronstadt, as well as in its Latin name, Corona, meaning Crown City (hence, the coat of arms of the city which is a crown with oak roots). Fortifications were erected around the city and continually expanded, with several towers maintained by different craft guilds, according to medieval custom.

Stroll around the old Town Hall Square (Piata Sfatului) where you can admire colorfully painted and ornately trimmed baroque structures. Take a peek inside the Black Church (Biserica Neagra), the largest gothic church in Romania. Its name derives from damage caused by the Great Fire of 1689, when flames and smoke blackened its walls. The interior is impressive and well-kept and houses one of the largest organs in Eastern Europe. Nearby are towering mountains, rolling fields, thick forests and villages with fortified churches.

Brasov is home to what is said to be the narrowest street in Europe. The Rope Street (Strada Sforii) is approximately four feet wide and links Cerbului Street with Poarta Schei Street. The street was initially used as an access route by firefighters.

Brasov has no airport yet. The nearest airports for the international traffic are the International Airport Otopeni - Bucharest (168 km far from Brasov) and the one in Sibiu (142 km far from Brasov). In Brasov almost all travel agencies sell and book plane tickets for major air companies.

Aside from the train, car is one of the most popular ways of reaching Brasov, due to its fairly good road connections with Brasov. Road E60 will be the main road to use in and out or Brasov, because this European Road links Brasov to Bucharest in the south, as well as Cluj-Napoca, Oradea and Budapest, Hungary in the west. Road E68 will take you to Sibiu and further onwards to Arad and Timisoara. Road E574 takes you into the north, to the Moldavia region and the Painted Monasteries and Iasi.