Day Trips Brașov Blog Hiking and Travelling Blog from Romania
Junii Brasovului Parade
The Junii of Brasov is the best-preserved custom in the big city of Brasov, Romania. The specificity of the city, with the district of Șchei closed during the Austro-Hungarian Empire by the Șchei Gate, so that the Romanians would not cross into the Citadel, made the custom to be preserved unaltered by German or Hungarian influences.
The Junii of Brasov are the only community in Romania’s major cities that has preserved the customs of its ancestors and respects them with sanctity. The Junii are divided into several societies, depending on the area of the city where they live or their age. Most of them live in Șchei, the only district inhabited by Romanians for many centuries.
The traditions of the Junilors of Brasov begin around the Annunciation, on March 25th, when spring also begins. On this feast, the surlach comes out and announces to the whole community, through the sound of the instrument, that spring has come. The function of the surlach is a great honour and, at the same time, a responsibility for the person who performs it. The current surlach lives mostly in Germany, but to keep with tradition he comes to the country every year around the holidays.
From even earlier times, every year on Tomii Sunday, the first Sunday after Easter, the Junii descend on horseback into the citadel, pass by the Vătaf, Armaș mare and Armaș micș, then head for Prundului Square, where the parish priest consecrates their flags. The groups then line up according to a traditional order: first the Young Junii, followed by the Old Junii, Curcani, Dorobanți, Brașovecheni, Roșiori and Albiori.
The Junii make a stop at the Troița Căpitanului Ilie Birt, where they sing “Christ is risen!”, then go down Mureșenilor Street to Bdul. Eroilor, pass the Schei Gate, heading towards Solomon’s Stones. This is where the traditional party is held, the barbecues start to sizzle and the glasses start to empty.
Ancient superstitions
It is said that on the night of the vernal equinox, the Junii set off for Mount Postravaru, where they spent the night to catch the sunrise. When it appeared, they threw everything they had at the sun. This is how the werewolves were driven away, so that they would not steal the spring sun, the bringer of abundance.
How can you get to Brasov to take part in the Junilor Parade?
If you are interested in this beautiful, local and impressive custom, in which almost the whole city participates, we invite you to contact us in advance. We are an agency of professional English-speaking guides. We are able to guide you on finding a suitable accommodation, and we can also provide transportation from the airport to Brasov for an extra fee. From here we can accompany you to the Junilor Parade, both to the part on the streets of the city, and later, up in nature, to the Solomon’s Stones, i.e. to the after party.
Feel free to contact us if you’d like to book your next trip in Brasov and don’t want to miss this beautiful, traditional parade.
