Bran castle – Rasnov castle – Bran
Accommodation at Bran

Breakfast

Bran Castle A document of king Ludovic I of Hungary at November 19 1377 at Zolven confirm the Saxon Germans of city of Brasov the right of building, as they promised, on their expense and workers a new stone castle at Bran. The new castle was to be erected on the same spot where the Teutonic knights built a wooden castle in 1211-1225. The building of the new castle started in 1378, heavy works of cutting the forest and level the ground started. The castle plan is adapted to the terrain, has 4 sides unequaled, the North wall is on top of a steep cliff. On the South side there is a gate tower and southwest has a cylindrical tower. The castle is finished in the 14^th century, in a Gothic style. In 1395 is first mentioned in documents. In 1427 the castle is moved from the city of Brasov propriety to Hungarian kingdom that financed the reconstruction and extension. In 1498 Bran castle was given by the Hungarian kingdom to city of Brasov.
In 1920 Brasov’s city hall donate the castle to Queen Mary of Romania for her contribution at the union of Transylvania with Romania in 1918. The Queen Mary left the castle to her daughter, Princess Ileana, sister of King Carol II. After 1948, when the royal family was forced to leave the country, the castle enters into Romanian state property, being abandoned and vandalized. The castle was open to the public in 1956 as a history museum. In 1987 it was restored, the works lasted until 1993.

Rasnov Castle is situated on an old commercial road that made the link between city of Brasov in Transylvania and Targoviste, for a long period capital of Walachia. First mentioned in 1331 Rasnov was one of the 12 villages that formed Brasov district, mentioned in 1377. In 1427 the village has the right to organize weekly fairs.
Built on a hill on the South side of Rasnov village, (a town since the communist regime) it is a “peasant castle� built by the people of 3 villages: Rasnov, Cristian, Vulcan.
The first mention of the castle dates from 1335 when a Turkish invasion destroyed all the villages but Rasnov castle and another castle near Brasov resisted. In 1612 the castles is for the fist and last time conquered, the defenders run out of water. Soon after started the dug for a well 150 m deep, dig that lasted for 15 years.
The entry was on the East wall, guarded by two towers. Inside there where over 30 houses with 2 levels, currently being rebuilt. There was also a chapel, St. George – dating since 14^th century and a school. The castle has 3 rows of walls and 2 yards defeated by towers. The architecture is simple, stone and brick was used for the walls and houses. The walls have 5 m high and 1.5 m wide. The walls and towers where cover with tile, to avoid the fire.

Lunch at Bran

Evening walk in Bran - Moieciu area (Gradistei gorges)

Dinner
Accommodation at Bran
Overnight

Sirnea – hike to Dambovicioara cave – Dambovicioara gorges
Accommodation at Bran
Breakfast

Sirnea is a small village in Piatra Craiului Mts. The inhabitants work at the forest and take care of cows and sheep and collect hay during the summer

Ciocanu is a hamlet with separated houses and barns, a few families still live there, far from the civilization. Winter is hard there, wolfs often came at peoples houses looking for food.

Dambovicioara cave is situated in the South part of Piatra Craiului Mountains, one of the most spectacular limestone mountains in Romania.

Dambovicioara gorges are 4 km long, we will see them walking. Tall walls and small caves along with nice places covered with grass contribute to the nice landscape.

Lunch at Cheile Gradistei

Fundata is another small village that offers you an image of how people managed to fight the nature and set villages on a rocky terrain.

Fundata – Bran

Dinner
Accommodation at Bran
Overnight