Rupea Fortress (German: Repser Burg) is located near the town of Rupea (German: Reps), about 50 km from Brasov (Kronstadt) – on the way to Targu Mures – and is one of the oldest castles on Romanian territory.

The fortress was built in the 11th century and is the landmark of the town of Rupea (Reps). High above the town on Kohalmer Hill (578 meters), it can be seen from far away. It was first mentioned in documents in 1324, when the Saxons fought against the King of Hungary.

Pictures: May 2024

To cross rivers, there are many regions in Transylvania that are still hanging bridges, suitable only for pedestrians.

They are mostly made of wood and remind a bit of Indiana Jones movies in terms of construction and condition / accessibility 😁

These images were made on the Buzau River on the way to Brașov (Kronstadt).

Pictures from May 28, 2026, from Brasov / Kronstadt in Transylvania. Simply beautiful 🥰

https://discover-brasov.com | https://kronstadt-erleben.de

The city of Targu Mures (Hungarian: Marosvásárhely, German: Neumarkt am Mieresch), first documented in the year 1300, is located on the Mures River (German: Mieresch, Hungarian: Maros), on the route between Brasov and Cluj-Napoca.

Targu Mures was founded by the Székely people. The city was first mentioned in historical records in 1300 as Forum Siculorum. The history of the city, like that of all Transylvania, was shaped by the Kingdom of Hungary, the Principality of Transylvania, and from the end of the 17th century by the Habsburg Monarchy, later Hungary, and then Romania.

Pictures: June 02, 2026

"The Home of Dracula", even though he never lived there and his "flesh-and-blood" prototype, Vlad III Țepeș Drăculea, probably was never there.

Beautiful pictures by Mr. Iercosan Marian from a few days ago (end of September 2025). In any case, the castle is definitely worth a visit 🥰

On the way from Sibiu to Brașov lies the town of Făgăraș. At the end of the 12th century the town's fortress was only a wooden fortification, which was expanded into a stone fortress in the 14th century.

The fortress houses a museum, which—like the fortress itself—can be visited. Directly next to the fortress is the cathedral / church Sfantul Ioan Botezatorul.

Beautiful pictures by Mr. Iercosan Marian from a few days ago (end of September 2025).

Located high above the city and currently (and probably for the next few years) under renovation.

https://discover-brasov.com | https://kronstadt-erleben.de

It’s good that these old fortresses are being preserved (Rasnov Fortress is also currently being renovated), but less good that it usually takes 4–7 years. One might think it’s the same planners / contractors at work as on a certain well-known German train station in a city in Baden-Württemberg 🙈🙈😅

Pictures from June of the year before last from the city of Brasov / Kronstadt in Transylvania.

https://kronstadt-erleben.de | https://discover-brasov.com

Always worth a visit and a photo 🥰 Village and fortified church (picture) Viscri (German name Deutsch-Weißkirch) in Brasov County.

https://urlaub-in-rumänien.de/de/uir/das-dorf-viscri-und-die-befestigte-kirche/

We were there a few days ago, in Transylvania, Brasov County, just a few kilometers from Kronstadt (Brasov)... and we were thrilled!

https://kronstadt-erleben.de/.../kirchenburg-festung.../

An hour flies by and there is something for everyone: for the lover of history and stories, for the friend of Transylvania, the adventurer, for families with children who can explore the battlements and the way of life from long ago and so much more!

Our conclusion: The visit is 100% worth it

Pictures from late May 2026 taken from the cable car and the upper station on Mount Tampa, as well as from the iconic "BRASOV" sign, overlooking the city of Brasov.

https://kronstadt-erleben.de | https://discover-brasov.com

The city of Sfantu Gheorghe is the capital of Covasna County, located north and northeast of Brasov.

We thank Mr. Frank Schleßmann for sending these beautiful pictures (early October 2025).

Many holidaymakers travel to Romania with their own car or rent one at the airport and... may feel a little overwhelmed by the parking situation in some cities. Therefore, here are some useful tips and information.

And first of all: don't be tempted to imitate the sometimes creative parking style of some locals. A car can be towed away very quickly (for example from fire lanes, in front of hospitals, at intersections, pedestrian crossings, etc.) and can only be recovered by paying a fee. The problem is that you first have to find out where your car has been taken... and that can become quite a challenge 🙈

# Relaxed parking in Brăila 🥰
Brăila is located in southeastern Romania and has around 150,000 inhabitants. There are almost always enough parking spaces, even in the city center, and all public parking in Brăila is free of charge.

# The neighboring city of Galați... not quite as relaxed 😅
Galați is also located in southeastern Romania and has around 300,000 inhabitants. In many parts of the city (the center as well as residential areas), parking is paid (Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM–8:00 PM). Payment can be made at parking machines or via SMS (a Romanian phone number is required). IMPORTANT: If you do not pay, it usually takes only a short time before you find a nice yellow or orange wheel clamp 😅 on one of your front wheels. The removal fee is 200 or 300 lei (approximately €40 or €60), depending on the time of day.

# Brasov – allow plenty of time to find a parking space
In the center of Brasov and nearby areas, finding a parking space is difficult at almost any time of day. There are only a few parking spaces, and because of the many one-way streets, the search can take quite a while. Don't be in a hurry here! Parking is paid (Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM–8:00 PM) and can be paid at parking machines, via SMS (one hour per SMS; multiple SMS messages can be combined, but a Romanian phone number is required), or through an app (including 24-hour parking). Paid parking is available throughout the city, so always pay attention to the signs.

# Timisoara, European Capital of Culture 2023... modern technology 😁
Parking in the city center is also paid here, but the search for parking offenders is handled in a very modern way. A specially equipped camera car regularly patrols the streets and parking areas. It automatically reads license plates and checks in real time whether parking has been paid. We do not know the exact process, but we assume that drivers without a valid parking ticket receive a fine very quickly.

# Bucharest... no words 🙈
Parking in Bucharest is easy: either at your hotel parking lot or about 20 km outside the city 😁. Anyone who has ever driven in Bucharest knows that you need plenty of time, patience, and a relaxed attitude, as the traffic often resembles that of large Italian cities. In many districts, the city center, and around shopping malls, traffic is usually very heavy (GPS: "Your destination is 800 meters away. Estimated travel time: 48 minutes."). Parking is paid and can usually be paid at parking machines, via SMS (Romanian phone number required), or through an app. Depending on the district (especially the Old Town), finding a parking space can be very difficult or extremely expensive (for example, 300 lei (€60) for 24 hours in a private parking lot). Our advice is clear: choose a hotel with free parking and then explore the city on foot or by taxi, Uber, bus, or metro. It is well worth it!

# In the countryside and in small towns
Things are usually much more relaxed here. You park and that's it 😊. However, always keep an eye on local signs, especially near tourist attractions, as paid parking may also apply there.

# Finally... the idea: simply don't pay the fine!!!
This almost never works because in most cities, in addition to the parking ticket, you will also receive a nice yellow (or orange) wheel clamp on the driver's front wheel. The removal fee varies depending on the time of day or night. Therefore, if parking fees apply, it is definitely in your own interest to pay them.

If you have experiences with parking in other Romanian cities, feel free to share them in the comments!

# One more thing: the Romanian vignette (Rovinieta)
To use Romania's motorways and national roads (mandatory for all cars), you need a vignette. The vignette (Rovinieta) can be purchased online up to one month in advance (including a German-language interface). The prices are reasonable: €3 for 7 days, €7 for 30 days, €13 for 90 days, and €28 for one year. Rental cars usually already include a valid vignette, but it is always worth asking. More information is available here:

https://www.roviniete.ro/de/

Pictures from Brasov from late September 2025. At any time and in any season, this city in Transylvania / Burzenland is worth a visit.

https://kronstadt-erleben.de | https://discover-brasov.com

Beautiful pictures by Mr. Iercosan Marian. Thank you for sending them, dear Marian 😊

The house was built 100 years ago… in the middle of the mountains in Brașov County. Simple and yet connected to nature, an experience that will always be remembered.

https://urlaub-in-rumänien.de/en/uir/house-pelinica/