IMG_7017 - The medieval city of Braşov, Romania, at 6:30 a.m.
IMG_7018 - The Franciscan Monastery of St John (Sfantul Ioan), the old city, and the modern Braşov sign on Tâmpa Mountain
IMG_7022 - Romania hosts the biggest share of the EU's natural forests. They were protected as rulers' private hunting grounds.
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IMG_7027 - Braşov is just north of the boundary between agricultural Transylvania and mountainous Wallachia.
IMG_7030 - In a mountain valley just west of Braşov we visited Bran castle. Bran means "gate".
IMG_7032 - Bran castle was built in 1211 as protection and a customs station on the main route from Târgovişte, the old capital of Wallachia, to Braşov, Transylvania.
IMG_7037 - The park grounds below the castle
IMG_7038 - At the castle entrance, a cross brought in 1922 by Queen Mary of Romania from St Pantelimon Monastery
IMG_7039 - This describes the common situation of treasures being buried during the Communist regime.
IMG_7040 - The very secure entrance to Bran Castle, Romania