Rasnov

Rasnov Fortress has been forgotten by the guidebooks for two reasons: it is located quite close to Bran Castle, lying somehow in its shadow, and it remained a ruin for way too long. Since it started to be turned into an open-air museum with some very interesting terraces and small outlets, this jewel has got back its original fame.

The fortress was founded by the German Teutonic Knights around year 1225 AD, but it mainly developed in the 14th century. It was used at war time by the peasants downhill as a shelter. As a consequence of the fact that the people inside had to surrender twice because of the lack of water, they eventually decided to dig a 170 m. deep well; it took them 17 years to have it done. The Rosenauers (i.e. the inhabitants of Rosenau, the German term for Rasnov) had their last siege in 1690 AD from the Turks.

The view from the top of the fortress hill is grand, covering all neighboring area, from Scara Peak of Bucegi Mountains, to Brasov city limits or a wide part of this Transylvanian corner, all the way to Piatra Craiului Mountains.