Brasov

Brasov County exists because Teutonic Knights needed a citadel and communists needed tractors. Founded in 1211 as Kronstadt ("Crown City"), Brasov became the center of Saxon Transylvania - merchants trading cloth, weapons, metalwork, and wax throughout Wallachia and Moldavia accumulated wealth that built the Black Church and 43 artisan guilds by the 18th century. The location at trade route intersections between the Ottoman Empire and Western Europe, combined with favorable taxes, created commercial dominance. Between the wars, IAR Brasov manufactured Romania's first fighter planes. After 1948, communists converted the aircraft plant to Uzina Tractorul Brasov, industrializing heavily with trucks (Roman S.A.), ball-bearings, and weapons. Today Brasov balances declining heavy industry with booming tourism: Poiana Brasov ski resort at Mount Postavarul's foot, Bran Castle ("Dracula's Castle"), and fortified Saxon churches draw millions. The county encompasses Fagaras Mountains, Bucegi range, and Piatra Craiului. Sinaia, Predeal, and Moeciu offer additional mountain destinations. Population reached 546,615 in 2021. By 2026, tourism will overtake manufacturing as the economic engine while aerospace heritage potentially revives.