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Cetățuia Brasov

Above Brasov

Where is it, when to visit?

Cetățuia Brasov is located at 5 Dealul Cetății Street. It's also called Citadel on the Strajă. A sign-posted path leads up to the fortress from the street. The fortress itself is closed.

History of Cetățuia Brasov

  • 15th century - a watchtower stood here
  • 1524 - a wooden bastion with 4 towers was built
  • 1611 - a defense ditch with water was built around the fortress
  • 1773 - it obtained its present form after the renovation ordered by Emperor Joseph II
  • 1787-1792 - the prisoner's house was built
  • 1817 - the gate was built
  • 1916-1918 - was a battlefield in the First World War
  • 1932 - the fortress was donated to King Charles II
  • 1954 - hosted the State Archives
  • 1981 - renovated
  • 1989 / 2015 - it was managed by Aro Palace, then by the City Hall, belongs to the community

1. Climb through the forest

There are signposts at the base of the Dealul Cetății street, and then further on, on Mihai Eminescu street, where the actual route begins. We leave the sloping asphalted road to tackle the final ascent through the forest. The slope is steeper if you approach the climb on shortcuts avoiding the stone-paved winding paths. I climbed in 5 minutes, but you can consider 10 minutes for a more leisurely pace. The trail is 400 meters long and climbs from elevation 607 to 639.

signpost to Citadel

we climb to the Citadel

Cetățuia Brasov

2. The citadel outside 

Citadel is a medieval defense fortification. It is located on Straja Hill, outside the old city of Brasov. The fortress has a rectangular base and an Italian-style bastion at each corner. The central tower is horseshoe-shaped and has 3 floors. The area of the fortress is 5,000 square meters. On one side is the Carolinenthor or Caroline Gate. It commemorates the visit of Empress Caroline Augusta of Austria. The citadel is declared historical monument. The Citadel consists of the fortress and the Castle.

Caroline Gate

fortified citadel

central tower

Italian-style bastion

3. Panorama

On the platform around the fortress there are superb viewpoints. We can see Brasov from above, but we can also see the neighboring ridge. Mount Tâmpa, where the cable car goes up and where the inscription with the city's name is located.

 

panorama towards the Black Church

panorama towards the Tâmpa Mountain

4. Going down

In another corner of the citadel, I spotted a signpost with a woodpecker, from where a path starts. I decided to go down this path which also leads to the paved Mihai Eminescu Street.

marking the hammering

going down the shortcut

Conclusion

Cetățuia Brasov is one of the most popular areas of the city, where you can enjoy a beautiful view and burn calories with a little effort.

I also invite you to a hike on the Tâmpa Mountain which you can read about here and here. Don't hesitate to visit the city of Brasov. A guide of Brasov find here.

All the best!

Steps:

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