SIEBENBÜRGEN (1) - Starting with Kronstadt

Siebenbürgen . . . – the sound of the word alone creates a magical effect and evokes the image of a land hidden far behind mountains and hills, almost ethereal and mythical. And names like Kronstadt and Hermannstadt, the two Transylvanian cities known as Brasov and Sibiu in Romanian, have always sparked curiosity, fascination, and a captivating allure that has led me to search for these places on relevant pages in various atlases over the years. Following an original, inspirational idea that is the beginning of any creative act, it was clear to me from the start of my considerations about undertaking such a trip to Transylvania, that I wanted to travel through the region from the easternmost point to the westernmost point, exploring it step by step, crossing it diagonally, sometimes meandering, or taking longer journeys. Thus, I would create an arc from east to west, reaching from Kronstadt/Brasov all the way back to my home region.

But to reach Kronstadt as the starting point, I, as a dedicated railway enthusiast, had to consider taking a flight for once. So, on the morning of August 19th, 2021, I flew from Vienna to Bucharest, and in the afternoon of the same day, I took the train to Kronstadt/Brasov. The fascinating idea of traveling from the endless plains of Wallachia to the over 2500 meters high mountains of the Southern Carpathians in an adventurous train ride, passing through gorges and climbing up to the Predeal Pass at over 1000 meters, in order to finally enter long-awaited Transylvania in winding loops and steep descents, was another fundamental idea that guided this trip.

I arrived in Kronstadt/Brasov at a quarter to six in the evening. With the following photo series, I would like to give my dear readers a first impression of the picturesque old town, in order to create a corresponding echo in the minds of the readers and to inspire them to visit Kronstadt one day and experience it in their own way. To Transylvania...