Travel Idea in Romania- Cluj 
History of Cluj-Napoca
The city of Cluj was presented as the "treasure city" by the historian Kuckacs Jozsef in his book, but also the "gate" to northern Transylvania in the third part of the documentary series "Wild Carpathia". Raised to the rank of municipality during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. (117-138), then called Aelium Hadrianum Napoca, then in the rank of colony under Marcus Aurelius and Commodus, the city of Cluj is documented two millennia ago by the Greek geographer Claudius Ptolomaeus.
Due to its privileged geographical position, on the ancient routes connecting Eastern Europe to the east and south of the continent, the city of Cluj was a perfect setting for material development and ethno-cultural diversity. In the Middle Ages, Cluj experienced a flourishing civilization, but also an exceptional accumulation of economic, cultural and artistic values, which helped to consolidate a nickname with which few cities could boast: "Cluj - a treasure city". During the period of Austro-Hungarian dualism, despite the fact that the political impact was negative, the city of Cluj experienced a great urban development, but also many other influential western benefits.
Cluj-Napoca - a city with three names. The name of the city is Cluj Napoca, even though all the inhabitants and tourists simply call it Cluj. However, upon entering the city you will see that the city of Cluj has exactly three names revealed, namely:
- Cluj;
- Kolozsvar - Hungarian version;
- Klausenburg - the German version.
Now, the city of Cluj-Napoca is the residence of the county of Cluj, but also the spiritual and economic capital of Transylvania. The city is a powerful university, medical center, a hub of diversity and multiculturalism, more precisely, an urban republic and a homeland for its inhabitants.
Cluj-Napoca - the youth capital and the artistic city
More than a third of the city of Cluj is made up of students from all over the country and Europe. In 2015, the city was the European Youth Capital because several events and events were organized here, including the first edition of the UNTOLD festival, now already known as a renowned festival. Due to the variety and opportunities it offers, the city of Cluj has been included on the international list of artistic cities of the future.
What can we visit?
- Museum Square - the oldest square in the city, consisting of buildings with gothic and baroque architecture, as well as Roman archaeological sites and transformed into a pedestrian area. Here you can see the Franciscan Church and the Franciscan Monastery, the Carolina Obelisk, the city's first secular monument, the National History Museum of Transylvania and the Matia Corvin House, another landmark.
- Unirii Square - Like the Museum Square, Unirii Square prides itself on some of the most important Gothic, Baroque and Neo-Baroque architectural ensembles in Transylvania: St. Michael's Roman-Catholic Church, Art Museum, Pharmacy Museum, which I have never attended. to visit it, the statue of Matia Corvin, the Mirror Street and the old noble palaces.
- Botanical Garden - Founded in 1872 and considered today the national museum, the Botanical Garden is one of the first, largest and most complex such gardens in south-eastern Europe. Spread over an area of 14 hectares, it has as main attractions the Japanese garden, the Roman garden, the greenhouses with tropical and equatorial plants.
- Cetatuia - In fact, Cetatuia is a park located at an altitude of 405 meters, of small dimensions, which is right, with a view of the city, so it is not to be missed.
- Tailors Tower - The tower is part of the old defense wall of the city, which has long surrounded an area of 45 hectares, as measured by the city, and is one of the few that have remained in very good condition to this day. (basically, the tower is intact today). In front of him is the statue of Baba Novac, the general of Mihai Viteazul who was shot in 1601 and whose body was exposed near the bastion.
- Reformed Church - It is one of the most massive Gothic buildings in the whole of Transylvania, having rather the appearance of a fortress. Here all kinds of concerts and events are organized periodically.
- The walls of the Fortress on Potaissa Street - the Great Fortress of the Middle Ages
- Restaurants and terraces- The gastronomy of Cluj is, rightly speaking, among the most bidding, combining the Romanian culinary tradition in Transylvania with the Hungarian and German ones.
Legend has it that, returning from a military campaign, Matia Corvin settled in a modest house, where he was served with the best preparation he has ever eaten, so that in time became the most popular dish. from the area, known as Varza à la Cluj.
- Hoia-Baciu Forest - Located on the outskirts of the city, the forest is a place that has become very dear to us, being one of the most interesting places in the world, with contorted trees, braided stems, some grown in 90 degree angles, in the middle sheltering a perfectly round meadow where nothing grows, not even a tree, not even a shrub.
Also known as the Bermuda Triangle in Romania, the forest seems to have taken the name of Hoia Baciu from a shepherd who lost 200 sheep in this place. Legend has it that while looking for them, he managed to advance to the Round Glade, but since then he has never been seen. About trees are said to be the souls of those who lost their lives in the forest. So, if you want to explore the forest too, you can take an hour and a half hike back and forth on the path that leads to the Round Meadow. If you set your location on GPS, Google Maps will take you directly there, so you have little chance of getting lost.
