THE FORTRESS

Strategically overlooking the town and the plains to the North, this citadel is part of Brasov's outer fortification system. At first some wooden protective walls were erected here, later, in 1529, destroyed by Petru Rares. On the same spot they built a stone citadel called Cetatuia in 1553, which unfortunately was destroyed by fire in 1618 and re-built in 1625. For protective purposes the inhabitants added to the initial building four massive stone bastions in 1630. The citadel was abandoned later, after technological innovations made cannons stronger than the building. It served as a prison for a while. Nowadays the citadel was turned into a restaurant called Cetate. If you visit the restaurant remember to take a tour and admire the collection of medieval weapons hanging upon the walls and to drop a penny in the well for good luck. In the center of the citadel is a narrow courtyard displaying shields, lances, a cannon and coat of arms. In Romanian, the fortress or citadel is called Cetate, pronounced chetatay, which is the name one should use if they wish to ask the locals for information about it. Most Romanians don't know the English name of the place, but it is not difficult to be found, as it is at the top of the hill across from the Central Park.