Council Square in Brasov

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The Tourist’s Guide: Everything you need to know about Council Square in Brașov

Council Square is the heart of Brașov, a charming space steeped in history. From medieval times to the early 20th century, it hosted grand markets where merchants from Transylvania, Wallachia, Greece, Turkey, and beyond gathered. It was a place where wrongdoers were punished, and alleged witches faced trials. The wealthy of the era paraded their luxurious attire and carriages here. Today, it’s a vibrant venue for major concerts, events, and fairs that draw visitors from all over the world. More than just an unmissable landmark, Council Square is a delightful spot for strolling and socializing, set against a medieval backdrop adorned with historic monuments and attractions to suit every taste.

Council Square – a place filled with history

In 1520 Brașov gained the right to organize its own markets. Merchants would pass through the Customs Gate, enter Customs Street (now Mureșenilor), pay their fees, and proceed to Council Square, where they would take their designated spots.

The area around the Council House was divided into sections. In front of the Merchants’ House (now known as the Hirscher House) was the Flower Row, followed by the Fruit Row, which stretched toward the Black Church. On the side of the Orthodox Cathedral (the Dormition of the Mother of God Church) was the Grain Market, located on a wide paved area that also served as a promenade.

Markets were held every Monday and Friday. Merchants—Saxons, Hungarians, Romanians, Arabs, Greeks, Turks, Poles, and Italians—showcased their goods to buyers from across Transylvania and neighboring Wallachia.

In medieval times, the square’s Pillory served as a place of judgment for witches and criminals. It was here that Stefan Stener, the head of the cobblers’ guild, was executed in 1688 for opposing the Austrian takeover of the city.

Council Square was also home to the first horse-free tramway on what is now Romanian territory. Opened in 1892, the steam-powered tram line connected the Bartolomeu district with Satulung (now part of Săcele). The stop facing the old town hall was aptly named Promenade Station.

Location – where is Council Square located

The Council Square is the city’s kilometer zero, the starting point for measuring distances between Brașov and other destinations. Nestled at the foot of Mount Tâmpa, it lies in the heart of Brașov’s old town. You’ll easily recognize it by the iconic Council House, which stands in the center of the spacious pedestrian area, surrounded by brightly colored buildings. If you’re driving, keep in mind that the area around the square is pedestrian-only. It’s a good idea to find parking before heading into the old town.

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Tourist attractions in Council Square

The iconic building at the heart of the square is the Council House, home to the Brașov County Museum of History.

The colorful, two-story houses painted in shades of brick red, yellow, blue, pink, or green that line Council Square are an attraction in themselves. Many of these architectural gems were built between the 1500s and 1900s.

The Dormition of the Mother of God Church stands out with its neo-Byzantine architecture, while Hirscher House (the Merchants’ House) and the Filstich-Plecker Houses, built in the 16th century, exude a distinctive Renaissance charm. The Mureșenilor House Museum and the Museum of Urban Civilization are also worth exploring. Nearby, the Black Church, visible from the square, is one of Romania’s most significant Gothic landmarks.

Just a short stroll away, you’ll find other must-see attractions, including Rope Street (one of the narrowest streets in the world), the White Tower, Șchei Gate, Catherine’s Gate, and more.

The Council’s House

Perched on the site of a 14th-century watchtower, the Council House in Brașov has seen centuries of change, falling into ruin and being rebuilt multiple times during the 15th and 16th centuries.

The building’s layout has remained largely unchanged since 1528. Back then, the tower featured a clock with a mechanical figure that struck a gong every hour, its chime echoing throughout the city. In 1690, under Habsburg rule, the clock narrowly escaped destruction because the Austrian commander’s parrot was terrified by the hourly sound. Although the clock was saved by the townspeople, it was later destroyed in a fire. Its mechanism, however, is now displayed at the History Museum. The current clock, installed in 1892, still operates with remarkable precision.

The building’s baroque appearance dates to renovations made between 1770 and 1778. The tower’s original onion-shaped roof, nicknamed the “Council Blister,” was replaced in 1910 with the structure we see today.

During the communist era, there were plans to demolish the Council House to make way for a vast square for “proletarian gatherings,” but the idea was eventually abandoned.

Today, the building houses the Brașov County Museum of History, home to over 4,500 exhibits that are well worth exploring.

The Black Church

The Black Church is the parish church of the Evangelical Lutheran community and the largest Gothic church in Southeastern Europe, with a capacity of nearly 5,000 people.

The building was constructed in the 14th and 15th centuries in the late Gothic style. It became known as the Black Church after a fire in 1689 blackened its walls and partially destroyed the interior. Reconstruction took place until 1722, with master craftsmen brought from Danzig (now Gdańsk) to rebuild the large vaulted ceilings. As a result, the interior is predominantly Baroque in style.

The Black Church houses a rich collection of 15th- and 16th-century Anatolian carpets, second only to that of the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul. The majority of these pieces come from Saxon villages, where they once decorated churches and town halls.

The famous organ, installed in 1839 by the Berlin-based Buchholz company, is renowned for its sound quality, attracting organists from all over the world who come to perform here.

Artesian fountain

The fountain in Council Square was built in 1987 during Ceaușescu’s regime. You can sit on its concentric circular steps and enjoy the soothing sound of water flowing through a network of pipes beneath a structure reminiscent of a mountain. The fountain’s central design features four curved elements, their inward arches echoing the vaulted shapes of the old merchant houses nearby.

Curiosities about Council Square

The legend of Vlad Țepeș’ lover

It is said that the great ruler Vlad the Impaler was captivated by the beauty of Katerina, a 17-year-old girl from Brașov. Accused of having an affair with a married man, the young woman was dragged to Council Square, where her hair was cut off, and she was publicly humiliated. Enraged by this treatment, Vlad threatened to set the city ablaze.

Romanian Casina

Founded in 1835 as a merchants’ assembly, the Romanian Casina quickly became a meeting place for intellectuals. Between 1835 and 1841, it was housed in the Plecker House and later, during the interwar period, in the Seuler House—both located in Council Square. The Casina hosted prominent Transylvanian scholars like Andrei Mureșanu (author of the lyrics to Romania’s national anthem, Awaken Thee, Romanian!) and Gheorghe Barițiu (politician, historian, and founding president of the Romanian Academy). It also welcomed revolutionary figures from Wallachia and Moldova, including Vasile Alecsandri, Alecu Russo, Ion Heliade Rădulescu, Cristian Tell, and Gheorghe Magheru.

Council Square in the modern period

The 1989 Revolution

The Council Square was named 23 August Square during the communist period. On December 21, 1989, on the first day of the Revolution, anti-communist demonstrators who had been dispersed by soldiers using gunfire aimed vertically and water cannons regrouped here. They knelt down and prayed the “Our Father” in unison. After the fall of the Ceaușescu regime, the square regained its original name and became one of the key places to honor the martyrs of the Revolution in Brașov.

The Golden Stag International Festival

From 1992 to 2019, Council Square in Brașov was the venue for the Golden Stag International Festival, where legendary artists such as Scorpions, Tom Jones, Diana Ross, Patricia Kaas, Toto Cutugno, Kylie Minogue, Jerry Lee Lewis, Kenny Rogers, Cyndi Lauper, The Kelly Family, Ricky Martin, Natalie Imbruglia, Christina Aguilera, and many others performed over the years.

Where to stay? Choose the Transylvanian Inn for an authentic spiritual experience!

If you’re planning to visit Brașov and the surrounding area, including the famous Bran and Peleș Castles, Transylvanian fortresses, the renowned fortified churches, Viscri (“Prince Charles’s village, now King Charles of the United Kingdom”), and many other attractions of Transylvania, we highly recommend staying at Transylvanian Inn.

The rooms are spacious, comfortable, and elegantly decorated, each featuring a terrace or balcony with stunning views of Bran Castle, Râșnov Fortress, the Bucegi Mountains, and Piatra Craiului. Transylvanian Inn is located in the charming and peaceful village of Predeluț, Bran Commune, just 2.3 km from Bran Castle. The property boasts a large garden with a pond, a campfire area, pavilions, and shaded areas. On the top floor, there’s a library with windows all around, offering breathtaking views of the landscape. The on-site restaurant with a terrace is highly appreciated by tourists for its exquisite dishes, which you can enjoy indoors or on the terrace.

To make a reservation, visit https://transylvanianinn.ro/.

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