In the city of Brașov, in the Transylvania region of Romania

 “But we are strong, each in our purpose, and we are all more strong together. ― Bram Stoker, Dracula

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(on the northern slope of the Transylvanian Alps, in central Romania} The city
of Brașov, capital of Brașov County is one of the largest cities of the country; it is in the Southern Carpathians, surrounded on three sides by mountains, 105 miles (170 km) north-northwest of Bucharest by road.

+ Right in the center of Romania is Brasov, a harmonious mixture of traditional charm and modern city life. Ride a double-decker bus around the city to get your bearings and observe the sites whiz by, then hop off to squeeze down Strada Sforii, the narrowest street in Europe. Take a day trip to see the fortified church of Prejmer, the Libearty brown bear sanctuary, and the decidedly ominous Bran Castle, otherwise known as Dracula’s Castle.

+ Founded by Teutonic Knights in 1211 and first mentioned in documents as Brașov in 1251, it became the center of a Saxon colony trading in cloth, weapons, metalwork, and wax throughout much of Walachia and Moldavia. The substantial autonomy of its German inhabitants was ended in 1876 with the abolition of their separate national status. The old (inner) town, heavily fortified in the 15th century against the Turks, survived with little damage and contains many historic buildings, including the Town Hall, the 190-foot (58-meter) watchtower, also called Trumpeter’s Tower, the Orthodox St. Nicholas’ Church, and St. Bartholomew’s Church (the oldest building in Brașov). In Brașov are several theaters and museums and a university. “The Apostle of Transylvania,” Johannes Honterus, who led the Protestant Reformation in the area, lived and died in Brașov (then Kronstadt) and established the first printing press in Transylvania there (in 1535). The first book printed in the Romanian language, by the deacon Coresi, was published in Brașov in the mid-16th century. (Education in Romanian was introduced there in the first Romanian school (in 1559.)

+ Part of the historical region of Transylvania. Brașov is located in the central part of the country, about 166 km (103 mi.) north of Bucharest and 380 km (236 mi.) from the Black Sea. Historically, the city was the center of the Burzenland (Romanian: Țara Bârsei), once dominated by the Transylvanian Saxons (German: 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).

+This medieval town in the very heart of Transylvania is surrounded by the majestic Carpathian Mountains, which offers marvelous views and numerous outdoor activities. You can explore the Gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture of the OldTown, visit the impressive Saint Nicholas' Cathedral and the largest Gothic church in Romania, or walk along the narrow Rope Street, one of the smallest in Europe. You can also take a cable car to the top of Mount Tâmpa.