Rasnov (Râșnov), a town with a fortress on a hill, is located exactly in the middle between Brasov and Bran. In ancient times, this town suffered most from raids because of its location: it lies on the site of a passage in the Southern Carpathians at the intersections of trade routes. So, in the 13th century, the Teutons built an especially huge fortress. Besides, it had strong walls and a favorable strategic position on the top of a hill surrounded by steep rocky cliffs. The second name of the fortress is "Peasant.” Its walls could hide several thousand people at once, the residents of Rasnov and nearby villages. The fortress had everything needed to survive a long siege. It was more like a city with dozens of residential buildings and a church.

There are several ways to climb the 200-meter hill to the fortress: by a small funicular, by a tourist tractor with trailers, by a steep staircase parallel to the funicular, and on foot along the main trail. There is only one entrance to the fortress: you need to go through a fortified thick-walled tower. Several years ago, the restoration revealed a treasure trove that is at least 400 years old: rings, knives, buckles, weapons.

Although the fortress went through many sieges, it was surrendered only once. That happened only because the enemies unravel the water supply routes and cut them off (there was no source in the fortress). According to legend, two captured Turks were ordered to dig a well right in the fortress. They were promised that they would be allowed to go home after finishing the work. So the Turks dug for 17 years: they went 146 meters deep, found water but never got home.

The walls have already been restored, but inside the fortress looks more like ruins albeit authentic and very picturesque. Several renovated buildings house craft workshops and souvenir shops. Real German pretzels are recommended. A pretzel is a traditional Saxon food, the recipe of which has not changed for 700 years. By the way, there are several observation decks that offer truly breathtaking views of the town and the surrounding mountains.