Cluj-Napoca, the largest city of Transylvania, often gets not much attention from all travelers who come to the more famous tourist spots of the region. Even though Cluj indeed has no touching natural background of Braşov or Sighişoara or Sibiu’s harmonious architecture, Cluj is more than just creating a living and student-oriented café and artistic habits. This is also the home to the hottest place in the country for contemporary art, with suitable devices – in a former brush factory.

Cluj dates back to at least 106 AD, when it was a Roman settlement called Napoca – then a sophisticated double-barreled name, although the element ‘Napoca’ often fell into conversation. It vanished after the fall of Rome, and only began to reappear on the millennium map as Kolozsvár, a principal city in the rapidly expanding Hungarian kingdom. For centuries of conquest and competing claims, the city’s wealth returned to wax and faded. n the 18th and early 19th centuries Cluj (also known as Kolozsvár or Klausenburg, his German name) under the Austro-Hungarian Empire, had other additional duties acting as the capital of Transylvania. A Hungarian minority that is still quite large – for 20% of the population – creates a multiethnic city.

A little mainstream habit

Begin the exploration of our city in its heart, Unirii Pia, which is crowned in the middle by the impressive statue of Matthias Corvinus, the 15th-century Hungarian king (and the local boy doing good). Placement of monuments to the rulers of Hungary in the center of a sophisticated Romanian city signaled the history of the two countries. As entertainment for the locals, Matthias’s father (Iancu de Hunedoara) János Hunyadi who is respected and believed to be from Romanian nobility. The late Gothic treasure of the 14th century, just behind the statue stands the St Michael Catholic Church and still has the highest church tower in Transylvania.

The best museums in the city are all within walking distance of the Unirii Cathedral. The National Art Museum on the east side of the square is declared a sleepy affair. These locations lived mainly Romanian and 19th-century works, although there were many parts by Romanian painters and war painters Nicolae Grigorescu who deserved to be sought. The climax was the arrangement, the big baroque palace of the noble family Bánffy, who hosted the Habsburg Emperor Franz Joseph I on two occasions, in 1852 and 1887. The Pharmacy Museum at the end of the square’s northeast was pleasant. The tour was led by a ‘pharmacist’ in a white lab coat, which pointed towards (apparently ho-hum) problems of glass from ground mummy dust, symbols of medieval alchemists and bottles of aphrodisiac painted in the 18th century. The fire of another valuable habit is the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania, many blocks west of the Unirii Region. The history of the life of the people of Transylvania is told on objects, classified as tools, weapons, toys, and location items that are just stairs.

Claim ‘avant-garde’ for fame

Not that easy, Cluj has arrived at the stage of international contemporary art. The Phaidon high brow publisher recently dubbed the city the City of the Future. The center of excitement is Fabrica de Peninsula, a former brush factory – now rehabilitated as a collective art – on the outskirts of the city, for 4 km east of the Unirii Cathedral.

Here, we will pursue six art galleries, belonging to familiar painter Adrian Ghenie Plan B (plan-b.ro) and Sabot (Galeria-sabot.ro), together with 37 studios scattered on four messy floors, barely changing from their factory. Day. There are stages for concerts, theater shows, and many other events. Check the web website to see if something has happened during your traffic. Guided tours, arranged in advance by telephone (0724 274 040) or email to madalina@fabricadepensule.ro, free of charge from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays.

Cafe scenes and clubs

Besides art, Cluj excels in cafes and clubs, not infrequently visited by 30,000 robust city student populations. Many of the best hangout locations gather near Piaa Muzeului, a quiet medieval north square in the Unirii Region. In summer, the square is decorated with tables and umbrellas for alfresco drinks until late at night.

Some of our favorite cafes in this location are classified as Casa Jazz, with dark and opaque interiors and not infrequently, something good (though not infrequently something jazz) plays on the sound system. This is a spectacular part of the ‘Big Easy’ in the center of Transylvania. A short walk is a newcomer, Str Georges Clemenceau 2 (Soviet). More Vladimir Lenin, which is part of Nicolae Ceaușescu, still plays a communist kitsch theme for extraordinary effects. Find a location to sit on the terrace and order yourself ‘Elena ‘- a combination of vodka-and-amaretto named after the most hated Ceaușescu’s wife. While in this part of town, try to bite the Camino, romantic boho location with delicious self-made pasta, and Cluj’s best cheesecake.

On the edge of the northern element of the Unirii Cathedral, climb the stairs of many flights and pass through many doors to chase the most hidden – and innermost Yolka Bar (Piaica Unirii 21). Its name is an ancient Russian word for pine trees, and indeed the walls are covered in green. Familiar coffee as the best in town and hot chocolate is also pretty good. Across the square on the south side, Joben Bistro is another cafe; this time the idea is ‘steampunk.’ The brick wall is neatly decorated with heavy industrial chalk, classified as wheels, levers, pulleys, and clocks. Ginger lemonade is the winner of summer, like food. Start with mashed bean soup seasoned with smoked pork and goat cheese, and follow with chicken curry drumsticks and black beans.

Make it a reality

Cheap airlines Wizz Air flies to Cluj-Napoca from many European destinations, and there are bus or train services from major cities in Romania. As the largest city in Transylvania, Cluj crawls with accommodation options. Backpackers have at least two of the best hostels to enter. Retro Youth Hostel has a relaxed atmosphere, and Transylvania Hostel, clustered near a leafy, cool courtyard on a hot day. Midrange travelers will appreciate the value of money at Hotel Central, which offers double air-conditioned rooms (with separate rest and sitting rooms) starting from € 60 a night.