A medieval country fair

Cluj-Napoca is located in the western part of the Transylvanian plateau, where the hills region ends and the territory of Gilaului Mountains begins.
On such crossroads, where the hill men used to meet the field men, in order to trade their goods, had been formed most of the country fairs, lately developed into the medieval cities of Transylvania. They had different ranks, being included in the Hungarian Crown, such as: Sibiu, Brasov, Sighisoara, Aiud, Medias, ecc.
One of this medieval cities, Cluj, gains the prestige and nick name of the "treasure city of Transylvania".

The name explanation and some historical headlights

The name Cluj, probably comes from Latin, from CLUSIUM and also from the geographical setting, meaning a narrow place, closed between the hills. A local, dacian settlement is mentioned by the roman historian Ptolemeus, with the name of NAPUCA, in the III-II BC, by the times when the Romans conquered Dacia. The archeological site is identified today in the northern area of Cluj, in the suburb called Someseni.
But, the oldest historical roots of Cluj, go down to the Pre-historical times, the human presence being archeologically documented in this area, with about 120,000 -80,000 years forth, in the Paleolitic age.
During the Roman Age, the settlement has different status in the hierarchy of the roman settlements, from vicus (a rural area) to municipium, (urban settlement) in the times of Hadrianus (118-119 AC) the capital of the region, under Marcus Aurelius (164-180 AC).The name is also changed, from Napuca comes to the present name of NAPOCA.
In the early Middle Ages, we read in the documents about the CASTRUM CLUS and from the XI-th century, about KOLOSVAR, an Hungarian royal fortress, as from now on Transylvania is part of the Hungarian Crown for about 6 centuries.

The German colonists are brought here by the Hungarian king Istvan the IV-th, between 1270 - 1272, from this point, the settlement gaining also a german name: KLAUSENBURG. A new status is given, by the Emperor Carol Robert of Anjou, in 1316, when becoming a CIVITAS, its inhabitants are also provided with the legal right of fortifying their settlement: new walls of the fortress, defeating towers and observation military structures are built.
Under the Hungarian kings, Cluj is provided with many privileges and is often financially supported by the Crown in order to develop. The explanation comes from the fact that Cluj isthe native city of 2 great Hungarian kings: Mathias Corvinus (born in 1443) and Istvan Bacsai (born in 1557).
Very prosperous years are during the XVI th century, Cluj being the most important city of Transylvania, autonomous principality under the turks suzerainty, after 1541.
On the back round of the religious wars, which spread all over Europe, once that Luther displays in 1517, his complains against the catholic institutions and priests, once that the reformed cults gain more and more former catholic territories, Cluj also becomes the most important Transylvanian center of the protestant cults. In this context, the Council of Transylvania (Dieta), held in Turda, proclaims for the first time in the world, the freedom of religions and manages to avoid a civil war in the principality. The catholic restoration will come together with the instauration of the Austrian domination in Transylvania, after 1686.
Between 1790-1848, Cluj is the official capital of Transylvania, the Government (Guberniul) and all the important institutions being sheltered by the new monumental buildings raised up for this new and important status. At the end of the XVII th century, the population is about 30.000 people and the city is enriched with glamorous civilian residences: palaces and head offices for the different institutions, and beautiful churches for the different cults, built in baroque and neoclassical styles.
At the end of the XIX th century, the huge delay reflected in the building styles, between Transylvania and Central Europe is canceled, very beautiful still standing in the city center, art nouveau and secession administrative palaces being raised up. In 1918, when Transylvania is united with Romania, Cluj continues to play a very important act in the political and cultural life of Transylvania. Here, had been strong public protest in 1940, against the Treaty of Wien, which decided that Transylvania will go back to the Fascist Hungary.
In December 1989, during the anti-communist revolution, 27 people lost their lives in the center of Cluj, for their courage of rising up against the dictatorial regime of Ceausescu.

An academic city

There are 120.000 students every year in Cluj, tudying in one big old and prestigious University, which is Babes-Bolyai and in some newer, private ones. Many are the cultural institutions, such as: The Central Library Lucian Blaga, The Fine Arts Institute, The Conservatory and 3 theaters, the Romanian Opera, a Philharmonic Orchestra and countless museums, the biggest Botanical Garden in eastern Europe, The British, French and German Institute, and many more.



CITY TOURS

All the tours provide the understanding of the social, ethnical, political, religious, cultural past and present, as they are reflected in the local mentality.
Our proposals follow a specialized route:

a) HISTORICAL-ARCHITECTURAL TOUR
Includes a historical discussion focused on Cluj and Transylvania, figured on the presentation of the main sites, from archeology to contemporary settings, in a chronological order.
Duration: 2-3 hours.
Price: 30 Euros - 1 person, 40 Euros - 2 and 3 persons, from 4 persons up: 10 Euros/person.

b) ARCHITECTURAL-STYLISTICAL TOUR
Stresses a presentation of the most valuable monuments, headlights the construction styles and techniques which were preferred by the upper class in different historical times in Transylvania.
Duration: 2-3 hours.
Price: 30 Euros - 1 person, 40 Euros - 2 and 3 persons, from 4 persons up: 10 Euros/person.

c) RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVE TOUR
Focused on Cluj as a historical center, where all the important Christian cults were represented and they managed to live together along the centuries, with good and worse episodes…
The churches of Cluj, beautiful Transylvanian features of gothic, baroque, neoclassical style will help us understand better the Transylvanian conditions of life and the religious climate from the 12th to the 19th century.
Duration: 2-3 hours.
Price: 30 Euros - 1 person, 40 Euros - 2 and 3 persons, from 4 persons up: 10 Euros/person.

d) BASIC CLUJ
This tour combines information and visits from every field; from history to ethnography, from architecture and fine arts to handy crafts shopping, pointing out the main "needs" to be visit in Cluj.
Duration: 2-3 hours.
Price: 30 Euros - 1 person, 40 Euros - 2 and 3 persons, from 4 persons up: 10 Euros/person.

e) MUSEUMS TOUR
We provide professional art guides for those interested into the in door culture, such as: the Fine Arts Museum, the History Museum of Transylvania, the enchanting Museum of the Farmacy (first drug store, set in 1537) and out door settings, such as the Etnographic Park or the biggest Botanical garden in eastern Europe.
Duration: 4 hours.
Price: 40 Euros - 1 person, 50 Euros - 2 and 3 persons, 12 Euros/person for more than 3 people.






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