Bran, Braşov

Infobox Settlement
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = ROU
timezone=EET
utc_offset=+2
timezone_DST=EEST
utc_offset_DST=+3
map_caption = Location of Bran, Braşov
official_name=Bran


image_shield=Bran coa.jpg
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =Location of Bran, Braşov
pushpin_mapsize =


subdivision_type1=County
subdivision_name1=Braşov County
subdivision_type2=Status
subdivision_name2=Commune
settlement_type=Commune|
leader_title=Mayor
leader_name=Gheorghe Hermeneanu
|leader_party=Social Democratic Party
area_total_km2=67.85
population_as_of=2002
population_total=5573|latd=45|latm=30|lats=41|latNS=N|longd=25|longm=21|longs=51|longEW=E|
website=http://www.primariabran.ro/

Bran ( _de. Törzburg; _hu. Törcsvár) is a commune in Braşov County, Romania. It lies 30 km from the city of Braşov. Medieval Bran Castle is located in Bran.

History

The Teutonic Order began construction of a wooden fort known as "Dietrichstein" in the early 13th century. After the fort's destruction in 1242 by Mongols, King Sigismund of Hungary ordered the construction of a stone castle in 1377, while the settlement of Bran began to develop nearby. Positioned high atop a steep cliff, the castle guarded a strategic trade route between Transylvania and Wallachia. In 1498, Bran fell under the jurisdiction of Braşov.

After the Kingdom of Hungary was defeated by the Ottoman Empire, Bran became part of the Principality of Transylvania during the 16th century, and eventually passed to the Habsburg Monarchy of Austria. The commune became part of the Austrian Empire in 1804 and the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1866. It was added to the Kingdom of Romania following World War I.

Bran Castle is one of Romania's most popular visitor sites, made famous in modern times when Queen Marie restored it after receiving it from the residents of Braşov County in the 1920s. The castle is open to tourists, who can view the inside alone or as part of a guided tour. Outside the castle are examples of traditional Romanian farm houses and peasant homes.

Gallery

References