©Square and Fortified Church in Codlea (copyright: creative commons)
Codlea is a small city placed in Brasov County, Central Romania
The city has a population of more than 19.000 inhabitants
In the 13th century when the Teutonic Knights built a fortress in the area, the city started to shape in a small settlement
Names of the settlement
Some linguistics argue that Codlea is a derivation of the Latin name ‘codella’, others that it is derived from the Slavic word ‘cotal’(kettle), but it could also be derived from the German ‘zeidler’(the beekeeper)
The Black Citadel is one of the main touristic attractions of Codlea, a town of 24,000 inhabitants. Erected between 1211 and 1215, the fortress was destroyed and rebuilt several times along its existence. The main purpose of the 100 meter long fortress was to defend the area from the incursions of the Tatars and later of the Turks, for which reason the construction was heavily fortified with thick stone walls and defense towers. The Black Citadel was rebuilt for the last time in 1432 by the craftsmen’s guild that worked in the town of Codlea. The fortress’ military importance gradually waned, until it was eventually abandoned. Today, only the foundations of its thick walls and towers still remind the visitors of the glory days of the Black Citadel.
The Fortified Evangelical Church is the oldest monument in Codlea, dating from the 13th century, and the medieval fortress that was built to protect it, called the Churchly Citadel. Further adding to the defense of the church were two northern bastions, as well as the tall wall that connects them. The church is home to the oldest organ in Transylvania, the 1783 Prause Baroque Organ, so named after its maker.
The Saxon Evangelical Church is another landmark of Codlea, built in 1432 in the Roman style and rebuilt in 1500 in the Gothic style.
Sinaia, considered the finest mountain resort in Romania, is located about 45 kilometers from Brasov, and is accessible by train or bus. The outstanding Peles Castle, completed in 1883 for King Carol I, is the main attraction of Sinaia. Built in exquisite Neo-Renaissance style, the richly-decorated castle features a collection of over 4,000 pieces of weaponry and armor. In the winter, thousands of tourists descend on Sinaia’s downhill ski slopes.
Sfinxul and Babele (The Sphinx and The Crones) located in the Bucegi Mountains, roughly 40 kilometers from Brasov are natural rock formations shaped by centuries of wind and water erosion. They are accessible by foot or by cable car from Busteni.
The Delta from the Carpathians
Tourists will be surprised to find that Codlea is actually close to a delta, but not the famous Danube Delta as some may think, but the so called “Brasov Delta” or the “Mountain Delta”, a beautiful area of lakes and wetlands located just 10 kilometers from the town. Stretching over 414 hectares, the lakes nearby Codlea, including several fish ponds and a reservoir, are a genuine watery paradise that is home to a large variety of bird species.
The city of Brasov
From Codlea it only takes about 20 minutes of driving to get to Brasov, a beautiful historic city built on the foothills of the Sothern Carpathians Mountains. The city’s central Council Square (Piata Sfatului) is the ideal place to begin an exploration of Brasov’s many museums, old churches, and historic monuments.
How to get there
Codlea is accessible by car or bus from nearby Brasov. A large city and an important transportation hub, Brasov can easily be reached from Bucharest and other places in Transylvania by train or by car. The city’s airport is currently under construction, with the nearest international airport being located in Sibiu.