"Probably the Best City in the World," 1

So here we are in Brasov, Romania, which modestly bills itself as "probably the best city in the world."

Central square and citadel

Note the umbrellas (there are hundreds--hundreds--of them
around the old town): Brasov, Brassa, Kronstadt...
Transylvania was contested land, German, Hungarian,
Romanian...whatever; still "probably the best city in the
world"; oh, and in addition to its Romanian, Hungarian,
and German names, it was, until relatively recently,
Oracul Stalin

We had hoped to take the telecabin to the
top of Mt. Timpa, overlooking Brasov;
but alas, it is closed on Mondays; a vestige
of Leninism's inherent laziness, we figured;
"come back tomorrow"; we won't

Part of what it takes to be "probably the best city in the
world" is an ancient wall; Brasov's is a whole 3 km, a good
half hour's walk; this the Linen Merchants' tower

The Black Church, Brasov's cathedral

St. Katherine's Gate

Brasov's Synagogue: according to the
plaque, most of Brasov's Jews have
emigrated to Israel but still remember
Romania fondly; although possibly not as
"probably the greatest city in the world"

One of Europe's longest (83m) and narrowest
streets, according to the plaque

Vicki demonstrates it is 1.32 m wide