Posted bythirdeyemom
— 146 Comments

Nestled majestically below the peaks of the lush Southern Carpathian Mountains in Central Romania lies the historic, medieval city of Brasov, one of Romania’s most visited cities. Awash with gothic, barque and renaissance architecture, this once walled city is home to many beautiful historic buildings and churches dating back to the 12th century.

Brasov was founded on an ancient Dacian site by Teutonic Knights in 1211 at the crossroads of trade routes linking the Ottoman Empire and the rest of Europe. Beautiful churches and buildings were built along with fortifications (a wall and three lookout towers)  to protect the city against enemies in medieval times. Today, it remains a charming city to wander and explore, enjoying its stunning architecture, its delightful walking streets and mass of fabulous outdoor restaurants and cafes. It is also an excellent launching off point to many hiking trails and medieval castles.

One of the most famous streets in Brasov is Strada Sforii also known as “Rope” and “Skinny” Street as it is the narrowest street in Eastern Europe. Dating back to the 13th century, Strada Sforii is approximately four feet wide and it links Cerbului Street with Poarta Schei Street. The street was originally used as an access route by firefighters but today is one of the most interesting and fun tourist attractions in Brasov as visitors and locals alike wander its narrow, winding path.

Strada Sforri

The entrance to Strada Sforri

I had been in Brasov for three days and nearly missed Strada Sforii. I would never have explored this narrow street if it hadn’t been for a friend who asked if I’d seen the famous skinny street. Located right off the heart of Old Town not far from the main square between Cerbului Street with Poarta Schie Street was a tiny sign marking the entrance to the street. I realized that I’d probably walked by it several times without even noticing it, it was so small.

Strada Sforri

Strada Sforri

Strada Sforri

Strada Sforri

I’m certainly glad I found this lovely little street as it was a great place to take pictures. You could even see the Hollywood-like Brasov sign through the narrow angles of the street. I had to grab a picture of it of course. The sign is at the top of Mount Tampa, where you can either hike up or take a 1950’s Communist-era cable car to the top to get stunning views of Brasov.

Strada Sforri

Strada SforriI had a lot of fun on this tiny little street. I can imagine it would be a fabulous place to take photos at night as well with the beautiful light. I also adored the various angles of the buildings and of course the red terra-cotta rooftops.

Strada Sforri

If you go:

To find Strada Sforii, head down to Piața Sfatului, the main square in Brasov. Strada Sforii located between Cerbului Street with Poarta Schie Street.

This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: Narrow.

146 comments

  1. You show good judgment in selection of subject and equally good skill in its presentation. It appears that the narrow street is two-way; there is much to be made of that.

    Reply
  8. Pingback: Narrow (Canal) | What's (in) the picture?

  9. What a fascinating place – perfect for the challenge. Lovely pics with interesting angles, & I love the colours.

    Reply

  11. How fascinating! I’d never heard of this burt really want to go now! I have been to a very narrow street in Stockholm in Gamla Stan but it’s probably nothing on the one you found! Fab post!!!

    Reply
  13. Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: Narrow | stenoodie

  14. What a fun group of photographs! I love the combination of color hues. The pastel “whitewashed” surfaces of the walls are quite lovely.

    Peta

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  15. Pingback: Today I Am Narrow Minded | Lillie-Put

    1. Oh LuAnn you don’t know how much I appreciate your compliment! Every time I look at my photos from a trip, I’m always disappointed. So thank you so much. 🙂 I went with my Dad and it was very short…too short! We used miles so that dictated a bit of the length of the trip and I didn’t realize it took so long to get there! We were gone a week but I was only on the ground for five full days and six nights. I am still amazed at how much we did in that short amount of time and my dad got a terrible cold the second day we were there. It was still worth it but I would have rather have had a few more days.

      Reply

      1. I know what you mean about your photos Nicole. When I sit down to decide which photos to put into a post, I find that all of a sudden I don’t like any of them! I tend to be my own worst critic though. Even though we have two months in Europe, I still think we will be running around trying to see so much more than our time will allow.

      2. Your photos are always gorgeous LuAnn! I always wish I knew more about photography. I just point and shoot. Someday I’m going to truly learn! As for your trip it will be absolutely wonderful.

      3. Thanks Nicole. I am so excited to finally get to Europe. Hopefully this is just a start of much more international travels.

      4. Try creative cropping…I always blast away, then adjust edges and pick out details at leisure. Digital age makes it so much easier, saves darkroom time (what’s a darkroom?).

  19. Pingback: The Narrowest Street in Europe: Strada Sforii in Brasov – basheerabdulwahab

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  27. You made a narrow street like that, one that looked soooo much like an apartheid street, look nice. Supposing it was an apartheid street, it shows that everything in a way has its own way of showing off. Even walls and streets, that could be passed by as rubbish.

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  37. Such a quaint street, it looks great. The photos are brilliant too! There are so many places in Europe I’d have never thought of going, it’s posts like this that make me realise these places are worth a visit. 👍🏻

    Reply

      1. Maybe one day in the future I will visit. I was in Ljubljana in Slovenia a few weeks back. Another unexpectedly beautiful place!

  40. I lived in Romania for 24 years. I have been to Brasov so many times and don’t know how I missed it. It is so pretty! I have seen narrow streets in Prague and they are so beautiful to visit. Another town in Transylvania with beautiful streets and history is Sighisoara. That is where Vlad Tepes lived with his dad, Vlad Dracul, for a while. I also have a blog. I am new to it. I am still learning. It’s mostly about education. I plan on adding some other interesting stuff.

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  49. Reblogged this on DEN4Teachers and commented:
    I don’t know what happened with my post… I have lived in Romania for 24 years and have been to Brasov many times. I don’t know how I missed it. It is very pretty. Prague is also famous for narrow streets. Sighisoara is another place with beautiful narrow streets in Transylvania. You will find there the house where Vlad Tepes lived for a while with his dad, Vlad Dracul.

    Reply

    1. Thanks for stopping by! That is great that you lived in Romania for 24 years. It is such a beautiful country! I was actually just in Prague in May, about two months before Romania. I loved it very much.

      Reply

    1. Thanks! I only found out about the street from a fellow blog reader who asked me while I was in Brasov if I’d seen the skinny street! Had to look it up on the internet and track it down. Glad I did! 🙂

      Reply

  55. This sounds like an interesting place to visit! It’s nice to read a short introduction to the city first followed by the focus on one particular attraction in that city :). Also, I never knew about the photo challenge! Looks like something I’m gonna try 😀

    Reply

    1. Thanks! I just threw this post on my blog due to the photo challenge. I probably would have just included the photos in another post all together on Brasov which I have yet to write. The photo challenges are great!

      Reply

    1. I actually am a little surprised this particular post was featured as I honestly don’t think it is even close to my best. I almost deleted the post in fact. Thanks Tina.

      Reply
  60. Pingback: The Narrowest Street in Europe: Strada Sforii in Brasov | رسالة إلى كل مسلم

  67. Great pics! Btw; “narrowest in EASTERN Europe”… Yup: You’ll find even more narrow ‘streets’ in Alfama, Lisbon… THINK among if not the narrowest in (western?) Europe… 😉

    Reply

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