Râşnov

Infobox Settlement
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = ROU
timezone=EET
utc_offset=+2
timezone_DST=EEST
utc_offset_DST=+3
map_caption = Location of Râşnov

|official_name=Râşnov


image_shield=
subdivision_type1=County
subdivision_name1=Braşov County
subdivision_type2=Status
subdivision_name2=Autolink|Town
settlement_type=Town|
leader_title=Mayor
leader_name=Ioan Adrian Veştea
leader_party=National Liberal Party
|area_total_km2=164.36
population_as_of=2002
population_total=15466Coor dms|45|35|35|N|25|27|37|E|type:city
website=

Râşnov (also spelled "Rîşnov", IPA2|'rɨʃ.nov; _de. Rosenau; _hu. Barcarozsnyó) is a town in Braşov County, Romania with a population of under 16,000.

It is located at about 15 km from the city of Braşov and about the same distance from Bran, on the road that links Wallachia and Transylvania.

Its name is derived from Slavic "žrŭnovy", meaning (village or valley) "of the mill". In 14th century, German documents used the name "Rasnov", but the modern German name, "Rosenau", is based on a popular etymology, being influenced by the German word "Rose".

In Râşnov a citadel was built around the year 1215 by the Teutonic Knights and it was mentioned for the first time in 1331. The citadel was conquered only once in its history, around the year 1600 by Gabriel Báthory.

Myth

There is a myth attached to Râşnov Fortress. During a particularly long siege of the fortress, the citizens of Râşnov were concerned about the lack of available fresh drinking water. Luckily, two Turkish soldiers, having been captured earlier, were put to the task of digging a well in the centre of the fortress. These two men were assured that they would be given their freedom once the well was completed. According to local legend, it took them 17 years to finish the well, but they were still killed afterwards. This famous well still sits in the centre of Râşnov Fortress, and is 143 metres deep.

Photo Gallery

External links

* [http://www.spirit.ro/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=42&Itemid= The Rasnov Fortress]
* [http://www.erasmuspc.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=207&Itemid=83 Photos from Brasnov]
* [http://stronghold2.heavengames.com/history/cw/cw110 Fortress History]
* [http://wikitravel.org/en/Râşnov Wikitravel Rasnov]