SKV

Transylvanian Carpathian Tourists Association

Brasov in Transylvania The Heart of Romania

ERA EWV FERP European Ramblers Association Europische Wandervereinigung Fdration Europenne de la Randonne Pdestre

Hikers Paradise

Ways to experience panoramic hiking in Transylvania

Hiking
Hiking is a great way to experience Romanias spectacular ora and fauna. Hiking routes vary from easy day walks in rolling hills to strenuous hikes through high, remote mountains. While driving for two hours you will encounter medieval towns, dozens of castles, fortied churches, museums, market places full of life and romantic locations. If you are not in a hurry than the two hours can turn into several joyful days.

Cultural tourism

Hiking and cultural tourism combined with

Ecumenical tourism

Rural culture

Wildlife watching

Cycling / Mountain biking

Ecotourism guesthouses

Bird watching

Caving

Photo tours

Horse riding

Food activities

Transylvania: Some Historical Considerations

Transylvania reproduces, at a smaller scale, the unity in diversity model that is specic for Europe. This Carpathian region is, in its essence, European not only because of its permanent and long-lasting receptiveness towards Europe, or because of its rich ethnic and religious mosaic, but especially because of the way its inhabitants have learned to coexist without losing their own identity. For many centuries Romanians, Hungarians, Germans, Roma, Slovakians and Jews coexist in harmony on this multi-lingual Carpathian space. They belong to various Christian confessions (Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Calvinist, Unitarian, Neo Protestant) as well as Judaism. Surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains shaped as a bastion advancing towards East and protecting both the Middle and the Lower Danube, Transylvania was permanently exposed to cultural inuences coming from the West. The Romans, the rst Latin-speaking Christian missionaries, the Hungarian Kingdom, the rst German colonists, the Renaissance, the Humanism, the Reformation and the Counter Reformation, the Habsburgs, the Hohezollern and nally the EU-structures followed the same big communication routes, coming from the West. At the same time, the Carpathians have never been an impassable barrier and its valleys and passes south- and eastwards represent the openings towards the Lower Danube, the Black Sea and the Byzantine world. That explains the permanent relations between the Romanians living inside and outside the Carpathian arch which have thus maintained the unity of the Romanian language. In this way, in the Middle Ages Transylvania was an important factor in unifying and enriching the outer-Carpathian principalities of Walachia and Moldavia, in orienting them mainly towards the Western Christian countries, and especially in the evolution of the Romanian national idea, founded on its Latin origins. Romanias political unity in 1918 would have not been achieved without nourishing the awareness of this origin, thanks to the religious union of the Transylvanian Romanians with the Church of Rome in 1700. Kingdom of Dacia From the 1st century B.C. through the 1st century A.D. the territory of the future Transylvania is the centre of the strong Dacia Kingdom, representing an ever growing concern for the Roman Empire. Both its strategic location the control of the Danube Valley against the Barbarians and its natural resources, especially gold explains the Roman conquest and the creation of the Dacia Province carried out by the emperor Traianus. Roman period: 105275 A.D. Emperor Aurelianus (270-275) decides to abandon Dacia and the defence of the empire along the Danube. The Roman army and administration sta left the province, however part of the Romanized population remains. In only 165 years of Roman rule the profound Romanisation of future Transylvania is proved by thousands of inscriptions, by the big number of cities and above all by the fact that the Romanized population has subsequently resisted to various migration waves. There is a continuous succession of migration waves, which explains the absence of stable and advanced political entities that could have been able to draw up documents. During these centuries the Romance population uses Latin in the religious Christian services, as proved by the basic Christian terminology of the Romanian language. Magyars arrival (10th century) and Saxons arrival th (12 14th centuries) New ethnic groups arrive in Transylvania: not only Magyars and Szkelys but also Saxons, the latter being brought by the Hungarian kings between the 12th and 14th centuries so as to defend the borders and develop crafts and urban life. Coming mainly from the present-day Luxembourg, Flanders,

and the Rhine valley, they are settled in The South and The North of Transylvania. Their arrival and continuous presence has been crucial for Transylvanias progress, playing at the same time an important role in the multi-ethnic coexistence. As a part of the Kingdom of Hungary, Transylvania ghts in the rst battle line, together with other European powers, to stop the Ottoman invasion. The autonomous Principality of Transylvania: 15411699. After the conquest of Hungary by the Turks, Transylvania becomes an autonomous principality under Turkish sovereignty, but fully connected to the great continental events such as the Thirty Years War and the subsequent Peace Treaty of Westphalia. Transylvania under Habsburg rule: 16991918. As Habsburg rule expands in the Danube Valley and the Turks withdraw, Transylvania becomes part of the Austrian Empire. Although in its last period of life the Empire is not able to change a legal frame which is unfavourable to the Romanians and even to the Saxons, especially in the years prior to World War I these centuries represent to Transylvania the beginning of its modernity: permanent contacts with European culture and civilization, urban life development, agricultural and industrial progress. Romania: 1918 present time As soon as the Central Powers are defeated in World War I, the Transylvanian Romanians and the majority of the Saxons express their wish to join Romania. Transylvania becomes part of the Romanian Kingdom and this fact is conrmed by the peace treaties which follow the both world wars. In the years between 1918 and 1939 Transylvania enjoys great economic and cultural development and it is now when the Saxon community reaches its demographic peak of all its history in the region. World War II and all the extremism and brutality which caused, accompanied and followed it, the imposition of the communist ideology by force and terror, the lack of democracy and freedom are a dark period in Transylvanias history. A dramatic event was the mass emigration of the Transylvanian Saxons to Germany, which takes place especially in the 1960s and the 1970s and also soon after the Revolution of 1989. Despite all the negative eects of the modern totalitarian regimes, there is a peaceful coexistence of the inhabitants of Transylvania. It is enough to remember the almost permanent presence of the Party of the Magyar ethnic group in the central government in Bucharest, as well as the role played politically, culturally or economically by the Transylvanian Saxons. Romanias entry in the EU in 2007 represents for Transylvania the return within the big European family.

 Transylvania

The Fagaras Mountainsoffer hikers 8 peaks surpassing 2.500 m in altitude and many glacial lakes alongside its ridge of 70 km.

The Village and Fortied Church of Viscri became famous after HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, who defended the Romanian villages threatened by Ceauescus demolitions, renovated some buildings and established 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 in 1785. The ruins were rebuilt from 1935 onwards and it is now a large monastic centre, hosting a collection of glass paintings and also a workshop. Within the monastery there is a hotel accommodating up to 140 guests.

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

Braov / Kronstadt enjoys a spectacular location at the foot of forest covered mountains. A cable car ascends a small peak which rises 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.

a hiking region waiting to be discovered!

Fgra Citadel this fortied construction surrounded by The mountains Postvaru, Piatra Mare, Piatra Craiului, Fgra and Ciuca water was the residence of the princes of Transylvania. It was used are an integral part of the Carpathian range. They are easy to reach from Brasov and are as political prison during the communist era and is now a museum. crisscrossed by distinctly marked trails, presenting the hikers with picturesque views.

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

Prejmer the best preserved fortied church and a jewel of the Middle Ages. The system of rooms circularly placed on the walls protected the whole population from the enemy attacks.

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

Cultural tour offer

Transportation bus/day (max.200km) euro/day/person Lodging Double rooms euro/day/person

Lunch euro/day/person

Group structure

Diner euro/day/person

Guide euro/day/person

Number of days / total cost in euro per person, starting from:

10

11

12

13

14

group 20 persons group 40 persons

5 5

2225 + (6-10) single 2225 + (6-10) single

8 5

510* 510* 225 270 315 360 405 450 495 540 585 630 510* 510* 210 252 294 336 378 420 462 504 546 588 (*) depending on individual preferences and restaurants class

Additional:
zz airport transfer: 16 euros/person for groups of 20 persons and 10 euros/person for groups of 40 persons; zz entry fees: usually 1 2 euros, rarely 3 5 euros.

Optional:
zz during the last four days of the trip it is possible to visit monasteries in Bucovina and Maramure. Transport costs for the 4 days: 45 euros/person for groups of 20 persons and 35 euros/person for groups of 40 persons; zz daily mountain hikes, embedded in the cultural tour, (including 2 mountain guides for 20 persons) add 5 euros/day/person; zz bicycle rides: 9 euros/day/person for bicycle rental for groups of minimum 10 persons; zz special oers for horse riding near fortied churches and paragliding in mountainous landscape; zz wine tasting at a Winery founded in 1892, the supplier of the Romanian Royal House, starting at 18 euros/ person, including tapas and 3 wine selections.

Mountain hiking offer

Group structure 10 persons group, one guide 20 persons group, two guides Services Mountain guide, local transportation, accommodation in mountain lodge, meals Mountain guide, local transportation, accommodation in mountain lodge, meals Number of days / total cost in euro per person 5 6 7 8 9 275 250 330 300 385 350 440 400 495 450

zz One or more days could be used for cultural tourism in case of unfavorable weather or at request.

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

Transylvanian Carpathian Tourists Association

Founded in 1880 in Sibiu at the incentive of the German Alpine Association (DAV) by emulating its German counterpart, Siebenburgischer Karpatenverein (SKV) is the oldest alpine club from Romania, in operation. As Dr. Karl Wol expressed at the constitutive meeting, this organisation would be apolitical, accessible to any person upright and honest, and promote a healthy lifestyle through hiking trips, building cabins and trails by supporting scientic research on nature and publications. SKV published its onw maps and brochures comprising mountain routes and tips for travelers. To ensure the security of hikers, it trained mountain guides, mostly locals from the villages at the foot of the mountains. Under the leadersheap of experienced DAV members, SKV initiated the rst hiking tours, and it 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 well as built and marked over a thousand kilometers of trails. Before World War II, the number of SKV members had increased continuously, reaching a maximum of 6,000, organized into 16 sections. Most members were of German nationality but also included numerous Romanian personalities from the social and cultural scene. After an uninterrupted course of 64 years, SKV was outlawed in 1945, and all its possessions were conscated. Its spirit was kept alive by its dedicated members who, after the war, relocated on German land and became part of DAV as the Carpathian branch. At the initiative of DAV and of former SKV members in Romania, SKV is reestablished in 1996 and currently has 350 members organized into ve local sections. It is one of the largest and most active hiking associations among approximately 200 Romanian alpine clubs. SKV advocates to: zz promote hiking as a form of eco tourism; zz conduct educational programs for students; zz protect biodiversity and environment; zz improve the quality of infrastructure (trails and cabins) for hiking; zz connect Romania to the network of European long-distance paths; zz collaborate with similar associations throughout Europe.

Consiliul Judeean Braov

Brasov in Transylvania The Heart of Romania

Braov County Council

Hikers Paradise