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ERA European Ramblers AssociationEWV Europische WandervereinigungFERP Fdration Europenne de la Randonne Pdestre

SKV

Transylvanian Carpathian

Tourists Association

Hikers Paradise

Brasov in Transylvania The Heart of Romania

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Ways to experience panoramichiking in Transylvania

Ecumenical tourism

Rural culture

Ecotourism guesthouses

Photo tours

Wildlife watching

Bird watching

Horse riding

Cycling / Mountain biking

Caving

Food activities

HikingHiking is a great way to experienceRomanias spectacular floraand fauna. Hiking routes varyfrom easy day walks in rolling

hills to strenuous hikes throughhigh, remote mountains.

Hiking andcultural tourismcombined with

Cultural tourismWhile driving for two hours you willencounter medieval towns, dozens ofcastles, fortified churches, museums, marketplaces full of life and romantic locations.

If you are not in a hurry than the twohours can turn into several joyful days.

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ransylvania reproduces, at a smaller scale, the unity indiversity model that is specific for Europe. Tis Carpathianregion is, in its essence, European not only because of its perma-nent and long-lasting receptiveness towards Europe, or becauseof its rich ethnic and religious mosaic, but especially because of

the way its inhabitants have learned to coexist without losingtheir own identity. For many centuries Romanians, Hungarians,Germans, Roma, Slovakians and Jews coexist in harmony on thismulti-lingual Carpathian space. Tey belong to various Christianconfessions (Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Roman Catholic, Luther-an, Calvinist, Unitarian, Neo Protestant) as well as Judaism.

Surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains shaped as a bas-tion advancing towards East and protecting both the Middle andthe Lower Danube, ransylvania was permanently exposed tocultural influences coming from the West. Te Romans, the firstLatin-speaking Christian missionaries, the Hungarian Kingdom,the first German colonists, the Renaissance, the Humanism, the

Reformation and the Counter Reformation, the Habsburgs, theHohezollern and finally the EU-structures followed the samebig communication routes, coming from the West. At the sametime, the Carpathians have never been an impassable barrier andits valleys and passes south- and eastwards represent the open-ings towards the Lower Danube, the Black Sea and the Byzantineworld. Tat explains the permanent relations between the Roma-nians living inside and outside the Carpathian arch which havethus maintained the unity of the Romanian language. In this way,in the Middle Ages ransylvania was an important factor in uni-fying and enriching the outer-Carpathian principalities of Wala-chia and Moldavia, in orienting them mainly towards the WesternChristian countries, and especially in the evolution of the Roma-nian national idea, founded on its Latin origins. Romanias politi-cal unity in 1918 would have not been achieved without nourish-ing the awareness of this origin, thanks to the religious union ofthe ransylvanian Romanians with the Church of Rome in 1700.

Kingdom of Dacia From the 1stcentury B.C. through the 1stcentury A.D. the territory of the future ransylvania is the centreof the strong Dacia Kingdom, representing an ever growing con-cern for the Roman Empire. Both its strategic location the con-trol of the Danube Valley against the Barbarians and its naturalresources, especially gold explains the Roman conquest and thecreation of the Dacia Province carried out by the emperor raianus.

Roman period: 105275 A.D. Emperor Aurelianus (270-275)

decides to abandon Dacia and the defence of the empire alongthe Danube. Te Roman army and administration staff left theprovince, however part of the Romanized population remains. Inonly 165 years of Roman rule the profound Romanisation of fu-ture ransylvania is proved by thousands of inscriptions, by thebig number of cities and above all by the fact that the Romanizedpopulation has subsequently resisted to various migration waves.

Tere is a continuous succession of migration waves, whichexplains the absence of stable and advanced political entities thatcould have been able to draw up documents. During these centu-ries the Romance population uses Latin in the religious Christianservices, as proved by the basic Christian terminology of the Ro-

manian language.Magyars arrival (10th century) and Saxons arrival(12th14th centuries) New ethnic groups arrive in ransylvania:not only Magyars and Szkelys but also Saxons, the latter beingbrought by the Hungarian kings between the 12 th and 14th cen-turies so as to defend the borders and develop crafts and urbanlife. Coming mainly from the present-day Luxembourg, Flanders,

and the Rhine valley, they are settled in Te South and Te North

of ransylvania. Teir arrival and continuous presence has beencrucial for ransylvanias progress, playing at the same time animportant role in the multi-ethnic coexistence.

As a part of the Kingdom of Hungary, ransylvania fights inthe first battle l ine, together with other European powers, to stopthe Ottoman invasion.

Te autonomous Principality of ransylvania: 15411699.After the conquest of Hungary by the urks, ransylvania be-comes an autonomous principality under urkish sovereignty, butfully connected to the great continental events such as the TirtyYears War and the subsequent Peace reaty of Westphalia.

ransylvania under Habsburg rule: 16991918. AsHabsburg rule expands in the Danube Valley and the urks with-draw, ransylvania becomes part of the Austrian Empire. Al-though in its last period of life the Empire is not able to change alegal frame which is unfavourable to the Romanians and evento the Saxons, especially in the years prior to World War I thesecenturies represent to ransylvania the beginning of its moder-nity: permanent contacts with European culture and civilization,urban life development, agricultural and industrial progress.

Romania: 1918 present time As soon as the Central Pow-ers are defeated in World War I, the ransylvanian Romaniansand the majority of the Saxons express their wish to join Roma-nia. ransylvania becomes part of the Romanian Kingdom andthis fact is confirmed by the peace treaties which follow the both

world wars. In the years between 1918 and 1939 ransylvania en-joys great economic and cultural development and it is now whenthe Saxon community reaches its demographic peak of all its his-tory in the region.

World War II and all the extremism and brutality whichcaused, accompanied and followed it, the imposition of the com-munist ideology by force and terror, the lack of democracy andfreedom are a dark period in ransylvanias history. A dramaticevent was the mass emigration of the ransylvanian Saxons toGermany, which takes place especially in the 1960sand the 1970sand also soon after the Revolution of 1989.

Despite all the negative effects of the modern totalitari-

an regimes, there is a peaceful coexistence of the inhabitants ofransylvania. It is enough to remember the almost permanentpresence of the Party of the Magyar ethnic group in the centralgovernment in Bucharest, as well as the role played politically,culturally or economically by the ransylvanian Saxons.

Romanias entry in the EU in 2007 represents forransylvania the return within the big European family.

Transylvania:Some Historical Considerations

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The Fagaras Mountains offer hikers 8 peaks surpassing 2.500 m inaltitude and many glacial lakes alongside its ridge of 70 km.

The Village and Fortified Church of Viscri became famous afterHRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, who defended the Romanian villagesthreatened by Ceauescus demolitions, renovated some buildings andestablished a summer residence there which he visits a couple of times a year.

Smbta Monastery situated at the foot of the Fgra Mountains.Together with other Orthodox monasteries, it was destroyed by cannons in1785. The ruins were rebuilt from 1935 onwards and it is now a large monasticcentre, hosting a collection of glass paintings and also a workshop. Withinthe monastery there is a hotel accommodating up to 140 guests.

Braov / Kronstadt enjoys a spectacular location at the foot of forest covered mountains. A cable car ascends a small peak whichrises right in the city center, offering a superb view over the city and the Burzenland. A system of walls and bastions, now walking areas,surround the city on its two sides.

Bran Castle an impressive building, connected with Dracula. It wasgiven by the city of Braov to Queen Marie of Romania, Queen Victoriasniece, who gave it the present look and used it as a summer residence. Itwas inherited by her successors and is now a museum.

Transylvania

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Rnov Fortress was erected by the Teutonic Knights on a rock abovethe city. Within its walls, was a self contained village, with numeroushouses, a school and a church, serving as shelter for all the inhabitantsduring long-lasting sieges. It was never conquered.

Prejmer the best preserved fortified church and a jewel of the MiddleAges. The system of rooms circularly placed on the walls protected thewhole population from the enemy attacks.

hiking region waiting to be discovered!

Fgra Citadel this fortified construction surrounded by

water was the residence of the princes of Transylvania. It was usedas political prison during the communist era and is now a museum.

The mountains Postvaru, Piatra Mare, Piatra Craiului, Fgra and Ciuca

are an integral part of the Carpathian range. They are easy to reach from Brasov and arecrisscrossed by distinctly marked trails, presenting the hikers with picturesque views.

The Black Church (Evangelical), in Braov the biggest hall churcheast of Vienna, built in the Gothic style and partially destroyed by the fireof 1689. Regular organ concerts are held.

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Additional:z airport transfer: 16 euros/person for groups of 20

persons and 10 euros/person for groups of 40 persons;

z entry fees: usually 1 2 euros, rarely 3 5 euros.

Optional:

z during the last four days of the trip it is possible to visitmonasteries in Bucovina and Maramure. Transportcosts for the 4 days: 45 euros/person for groups of 20persons and 35 euros/person for groups of 40 persons;

z daily mountain hikes, embedded in thecultural tour, (including 2 mountain guidesfor 20 persons) add 5 euros/day/person;

z bicycle rides: 9 euros/day/person for bicyclerental for groups of minimum 10 persons;

z special offers for horse riding near fortified churchesand paragliding in mountainous landscape;

z wine tasting at a Winery founded in 1892, the supplierof the Romanian Royal House, starting at 18 euros/person, including tapas and 3 wine selections.

Groupstructure

Guide

euro/day/person

Lodging

Dou

blerooms

euro/day/person

Transportation

bus/

day

(max.2

00km

)

euro/day/person

Lunch

euro/day/person

Diner

euro/day/person Number of days / total costin euro

per person, starting from:

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

group 20 persons 52225

+ (6-10) single8 510* 510* 225 270 315 360 405 450 495 540 585 630

group 40 persons 52225

+ (6-10) single5 510* 510* 210 252 294 336 378 420 462 504 546 588

(*) depending on individual preferences and restaurants class

Cultural tour offer

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z One or more days could be used for cultural tourismin case of unfavorable weather or at request.

Additional:

z Airport transfer: 20 euros/person for groups of 10persons and 16 euros/person for groups of 20 persons.

Group structure ServicesNumber of days / total costin euro per person

5 6 7 8 9

10 persons group,one guide

Mountain guide, local transportation,accommodation in mountain lodge, meals

275 330 385 440 495

20 persons group,two guides

Mountain guide, local transportation,accommodation in mountain lodge, meals

250 300 350 400 450

Mountain hiking offer

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Founded in 1880 in Sibiu at the incentive of theGerman Alpine Association (DAV) by emulat-ing its German counterpart, SiebenburgischerKarpatenverein (SKV) is the oldest alpine club

from Romania, in operation.

As Dr. Karl Wolff expressed at the constitutivemeeting, this organisation would be apolitical,

accessible to any person upright and honest, andpromote a healthy lifestyle through hiking trips, building

cabins and trails by supporting scientific research on nature andpublications.

SKV published its onw maps and brochures comprisingmountain routes and tips for travelers. o ensure the security ofhikers, it trained mountain guides, mostly locals from the villag-es at the foot of the mountains. Under the leadersheap of expe-rienced DAV members, SKV initiated the first hiking tours, andit also opened slopes for skiers. In addition, organized mountain

rescue started operating in 1904.SKV built most of the cabins and shelter homes in Romania,

laid the foundations of Poiana Brasov and Pltini resorts, as wellas built and marked over a thousand kilometers of trails.

Before World War II, the number of SKV members had in-creased continuously, reaching a maximum of 6,000, organized

into 16 sections. Most members were of German nationality butalso included numerous Romanian personalities from the socialand cultural scene.

After an uninterrupted course of 64 years, SKV was outlawedin 1945, and all its possessions were confiscated. Its spirit was

kept alive by its dedicated members who, after the war, relocat-ed on German land and became part of DAV as the Carpathianbranch. At the initiative of DAV and of former SKV membersin Romania, SKV is reestablished in 1996 and currently has 350members organized into five local sections. It is one of the larg-est and most active hiking associations among approximately 200Romanian alpine clubs.

SKV advocates to:z promote hiking as a form of eco tourism;z conduct educational programs for students;z protect biodiversity and environment;

z

improve the quality of infrastructure(trails and cabins) for hiking;

z connect Romania to the network ofEuropean long-distance paths;

z collaborate with similar associationsthroughout Europe.

Transylvanian CarpathianTourists Association

Braov County Council

Consiliul Judeean Braov

Hikers Paradise

Brasov in Transylvania The Heart of Romania