Welcome to Cluj-Napoca, Kolozsvar or Klausenburg - former capital of Imperial Transylvania; Accommodation and holidays

Cluj Napoca

Kolozsvár - Imperial capital of Austro-Hungarian Transylvania, Klausenburg - one of the Saxon Siebenbürgen, or present day Cluj-Napoca, cultural centre of northern Romania. With such a pedigree it it is not surprising that this city is such a lively, melting pot, an intellectual centre with an active cafe society, renowned university, museums, theatres and eye-catching architecture.

Cluj is an ideal gateway to northern Transylvania, the Apuseni Mountains, the mountains of Bistrita-Nasaud, and the Maramures. It is also suitable for short- break holidays. There is an excellentd selection of hotels, many of them in quiet back streets just off the main central thoroughfares and squares.

Thedaily WIZZ air service from Luton have brought Cluj even closer, making it an ideal city break destination for UK travellers and businessmen alike. In addition to the excellent hotels Cluj has some excelelnt restaurants and bars and bustling nightlife. Apart from sightseeing around the city itself it is easy to arrange day trips to the Apuseni Mountains, Bontida palace, or the Turda saltmines while longer trips such as Dracula trails around the Borgo Pass, and village breaks in Maramures, and even guided circuits of the Painted Monasteries make this an ideal steeping off point for norther Romania and Transylvania in general.

The history of Cluj may be traced back to before the Romans who named it 'Napoca'. Now it is a thriving city and university town (the Babes-Bolyai University was founded in 1581) which is presently going through something of a renaissance due to its location on important trade routes which is attracting new businesses and investment. Even the bleak quarters of communist-style apartment blocks are coming to life with new restaurants, shops and showrooms. You will notice restoration projects such as the brightly coloured facades and eclectic architecture of the buildings lining Strada Horea and Piata Mihai Viteazu '- curious blends of turquoise, sea green, apricot, primrose yellow, cornflower blue, lavender and chestnut - more authentic than it might appear at first sight to anyone more used to the natural brick and stone of northern Europe!