Brasov in the shadow of Mount Tampa, Brasov’s old town is filled with striking baroque architecture, fortified churches, defensive towers and medieval dwellings, which are the legacy of its German past. Brasov and much of the surrounding area was colonised by Saxons from the 12th century onwards.
Attacks by Tartars and Turks prompted them to fortify their churches and towns with sturdy walls, providing an opportunity today to see some of the most imposing religious structures in Europe. The Romanians, who were banished from the Saxon town, lived at Schei, just outside the walls to the south-west. Piata Sfatului, the central square, is rated as the finest in the country and lined with baroque facades and street-side cafes.