Now housing the state archives of Brasov, the Blacksmiths’ Bastion (34 G. Baritiu Street) watched over the northern part of the city and dates back to 1529 or even earlier. At the beginning it had the shape of a pentagon, although almost the entire present structure is the result of a reconstruction from 1668-1709. The valuable collection includes one of the oldest documents in Romanian, a letter of Neacsu from Campulung, dated 1521.
Behind the Blacksmiths’ Bastion the road leads to the best preserved area of the old fortress walls, with a flowing water, guarded by rocks. Known as the Street Behind the Walls, the path between the walls and the water has such a rural feel that it’s hard to believe you’re near the centre of a city, but the cyclists and skaters are careful to remind you of this. From here, our steps are taken to the Black Tower, built in 1494.
