The City Hall Square
Brasov |
30,
Sfatului Square, Brasov
The Council Square (Piata Sfatului),
known to the Saxon population as the Marktplatz, is the heart
of the old medieval Brasov. Lined with beautiful red-roofed
merchant houses, the square is one of the finest in the country. The
buildings recall the region's German heritage.
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In the center of the square lies the Council
House, built in 1420 The tower,called the Trumpets Tower, is
in fact much older,
and was once a watchtower for approaching barbarians before
being incorporated into the main building. It was the place
where an
alarm was sounded when danger menaced the city. What you see
today is largely the result of an 81-year renovation after
the great fire of 1689. Then, the pile was restored and completed
with the Renaissance loggia dominated by the baroque facade
bearing
the coats of arms of the town. The tower is 58 meters high.
The Counsel House was the decision-making center of the important
businesses
of the city, where outstanding notables of the time were welcomed.
Nowadays the building hosts the History Museum of Brasov with
rare exhibits and collections. |
 Around
the square you'll find some of the smaller landmarks: the Renaissance
style Hirscher
House or
Merchant's House (now the "Cerbul carpatin" restaurant),
the beautiful entrance to the Orthodox cathedral or the museum dedicated
to the Muresianu family out of which came the first editor
of
"Gazeta de Transilvania", a
political newspaper published in the 19th century. One of the square's corners
is dominated by the town's most famous landmark, the Black
Church.
Piata Sfatului is a nice place to rest, and soak in the
beautiful scenery. In the summer outdoor cafes line the
square and
the place is lively. The spring fountain,
right in the middle of the square, cools the air. Every year the "Golden
Stag" (Cerbul de Aur) music festival takes place here.
Walk down on the picturesque pedestrian-only Republicii
street, for shopping, restaurants,
cafes, souvenir shops.
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