Brăila General Information
Fast Facts
Location: Eastern Romania (County: Brăila)
Size: 12.8 sq.miles (33.2 sq km)
Elevation: 65 ft. (20 meters)
Population: 185,000
Inhabited since: 4th century BC
First documented: 1300s
Braila Sights and Landmarks
The settlement of Brăila, located on the banks of the Danube River, was first mentioned in several Catalan portolan (nautical) charts around year 1325 and in the 1350 Spanish Libro de conoscimiento (Book of knowledge) with the name of Drinago.
Greek documents refer to the town as Proilabum or Proilava, an adaptation of its Slavic name, Brailov. From 1538–1540 until 1829 the town and its surroundings were controlled by the Ottoman Empire, who changed its name into Ibraila.
During the 19th century, the town became one of the three most important ports on the Danube River in the region of Walachia, the other two being Turnu Magurele and Giurgiu. Most of the goods exported from Romania where loaded and shipped from here.
Brăila's Old Town, severely damaged in 1828 during the Russo-Turkish war and rebuilt in the 1830s, retains some of its 19th century grandeur when the city's investors made fortunes in the shipping business and built elegant villas, some of which have been fully restored.
Brăila Old Town, centered around Traian Square (Piața Traian), features several points of interest: the Romanian Orthodox Church (Biserica Sf. Mihail si Gravril) which served as mosque during the Ottoman rule; the Greek Church built between 1862 and 1872, displaying frescoes painted in 1890 by Romanian artist Gheorghe Tătărescu; the 1865 St. Nicholas Church (Biserica Sf. Nicolae), the 19th century Maria Filotti Theatre - named after the Romanian actress, Maria Filotti (1883-1956), Brăila County Museum, and the historical Water Tower.
Discover Braila's Delightful Architectural Heritage WalkThisWayBraila.ro
For a view of the nearby Macin Mountains, stroll through Braila's public park or the Danube River Promenade, A 5 miles walkway along River Danube.
Museums
Brăila County Museum
Muzeul Brăilei “Carol I”
Address: Piata Traian 3
Telephone: (+4) 0339 401.002
Website
Open:
Wed – Sun. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (May – September)
Wed – Sun. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (October – April)
Admission charge
Located in the former French Hotel (Hotelul Francez), an elegant two-story building dating back to 1855, the museum features an Archeology section focusing on local Neolithic and Bronze Age sites, a History section with numerous furniture and traditional objects displays, an Art section, as well as an Ethnographic and Folk Art section. A valuable collection of sepia photos provide an interesting foray into the history of Braila during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Natural Science Museum
Complexul Muzeal de Stiinte ale Naturii
Adresa: Aleea Parcului 15
Telephone: (+4) 0339 401.006
Website
Museum of Arts Collection - Brăila
Centrul Cultural „Nicăpetre"
Address: Strada Belvedere 1
Telephone: (+4) 0339 401.005
Website
Brăila Ethnography Museum
Muzeul de Etnografie si Artă Populară
Address: Strada Polonă 14
Telephone: (+4) 0339 730.311
Website
Brăila Art Gallery
Galeriile de Arta Emilia Dumitrescu
Address: Strada I. L. Caragiale 3
Telephone: (+4) 0339 627.115
Panait Istrati Memorial House
Casa Memorială Panait Istrati
Address: Grădina Publică Brăila
Telephone: (+4) 0339 401.004
Website
Attractions near Braila
Macin Winery
Crama Dobrogeana
Where: 12 miles (19 km) east of Braila
Access: car, bus
Address: Str. Viticultori 2, Macin
Telephone: (+4) 0240 573.368
Town of Macin is known for its wines obtained from native varieties of grapes Tămâioasă Românească, Fetească Neagră.
Macin Winery more info
Macin Mountains National Park
Parcul National Muntii Macinului
Where: 15 miles (25 km) east of Braila
Access: car (on DN22 D)
Website
400 million years ago, this mountain range stretched all the way to Western Europe. Its traces can still be found in Bohemia and the French Central Massif. Today, Tutuiatu Peak, the highest peak of the oldest mountain range in Romania, reaches just 1,495 ft.
Brăila Wetlands Nature Park
Parcul Natural Balta Mică a Brăilei
Where: 35 miles (55 km) south of Brăila
Balta Mică a Brăilei info
Basilica Niculițel
Bazilica Niculițel
Where: 42 miles east of Braila
Access: car, bus
Address: DJ229C 43, Niculițel
A Christian basilica, built in the mid-3rd century near the village of Niculițel, was revealed in 1971 when a creek overflowed its banks.
The relics of Saints Zoticus, Atallus, Camisius and Philippos, who endured martyrdom because they openly proclaimed their faith in Christ, were found in the basilica. The relics of these can now be seen at Cocoș Monastery, 5 miles northwest of Niculițel.
Basilica Niculițel more info
Sarica Niculițel Winery
Crama Sarica - Niculitel
Where: 44 miles east of Braila
Access: car, bus
Address: DN 22 Tulcea - 4 miles east of village Niculitel
Telephone: (+4) 0744 551.518
E-mail
Website
Day Trips
The Danube Delta
Delta Dunarii
Location: 50 miles east of Braila
Access: car or bus to Tulcea and then boat
Danube Delta info
The Danube Delta is comprised of an intricate network of waterways and lakes divided between the three main estuary channels of the Danube. The area of floating reed islands, forests, pastures and sand dunes covers 3,000 square miles and is home to a vast array of wildlife. Located at the tip of the three channels, Tulcea makes a great starting point for exploring the Delta.
Town of Tulcea
Location: 48 miles (80 km) east of Braila
Access: car, bus
Tulcea info
Odobesti Winery
Cramele Odobesti - Senator
Where: 65 miles northwest of Galati
Access: car, bus
Address: Cramele Odobești, DN2D
Telephone: (+4) 788 237.001
Wines obtained at Odobesty winery from native varieties of grapes include: Băbească Neagră, Busuioacă de Bohotin, Crâmpoșie, Fetească Neagră, Fetească Regală, Șarbă, Tămâioasă Românească, Zghihară.
Macin Winery more info
City of Constanta
Location: 125 miles (205 km) southeast of Braila
Access: car, bus
Constanta info
Braila Performing Arts
Brăila Drama Theatre
Teatrul Dramatic "Maria Filotti"
Address: Strada Mihai Eminescu 2
Telephone: (+4) 0239 613.969
Website
Brăila Philharmonic
Filarmonica "Lyra - George Cavadia" Braila
Address: Strada Ana Aslan 29
Telephone: (+4) 0239 615.010
Website
Brăila Puppet Theatre "Carabus"
Teatrul de Păpuși Braila
Address: Strada General Eremia Grigorescu 57
Telephone: (+4) 0239 614.880
Website
BRAILA TRIP PLANNING INFO
Transportation
Air
The nearest airports to Braila are:
Constanta (CND) - 102 miles south
Bucharest Otopeni - Henri Coanda (OTP) - 125 miles southwest
Car
The shortest route from Bucharest to Brăila is:
Bucharest – Urziceni – Buzau – Faurei - Braila (E85 – DN 2B)
Distance: 135 miles
Approximate travel time: 3 hours
| Travel distances from Braila to: | |
|---|---|
| City | Distance (miles) |
| Bucharest | 138 miles |
| Arad | 405 miles |
| Baia Mare | 350 miles |
| Brasov | 150 miles |
| Constanta | 125 miles |
| Iasi | 160 miles |
| Oradea | 410 miles |
| Satu Mare | 380 miles |
| Sibiu | 235 miles |
| Sighetu Marmatiei | 325 miles |
| Sighisoara | 220 miles |
| Suceava | 205 miles |
| Timisoara | 400 miles |
| Tulcea | 50 miles |
Train
Brăila Train Station
Gara Braila
Address: Strada General Eremia Grigorescu
For a list of international trains with service to/from Romania please visit
RomaniaTourism International Transportation section
There are daily direct trains connecting Braila with:
Bucharest (journey time: 3 ½ hours)
Buzau (journey time: 2 hours)
Constanta (journey time: 3 ½ hours)
Galati (journey time: 45 minutes)
Travel from Braila to Tulcea / Danube Delta is only possible by car / bus.
To check train and bus schedules for domestic routes please visit
RomaniaTourism Domestic Transportation section
Note: For departures from /to Bucharest, please select Bucuresti Nord.
Bus
Braila Bus Stations
Autogara Braila
Address: Strada Siret 10
Telephone: (+4) 0239 619.220
Daily domestic bus service from/to: Bucharest, Bacău, Barlad, Brasov, Constanta, Galati, Iasi, Macin, Mangalia, Sibiu, Suceava, Tulcea, Vama Veche
Braila Public Transportation
5 tramway and 9 bus routes connect Braila's main areas and tourist attractions.
Braila public transportation map
...
Braila Taxi
| Braila Taxi Companies | |
|---|---|
| Name | Phone # |
| Taxi As | (+4) 0726.666.068 |
| Taxi 949 Braila | (+4) 0767 112.999 |
| Taxi Dan | (+4) 0239 611.111 |
| Taxi Unvip | (+4) 0239 619.100 |
| Taxi Kamy | (+4) 0239 619.100 |
...
Braila Car Rental
Promotor Rent a Car
Address: Strada Grigorescu Eremia 1
Tel: (+4) 0734 403.403
E-mail
Website
...
Braila Hotels
Accommodations in Braila include:
| Hotel Name | Class | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Popeea | boutique | Braila Old Town |
| Grand Hotel Orient | boutique | Braila City Centre |
| Hotel Saint Germain | four-star / upscale | Braila City Centre |
| Alma Health Spa Retreat | four-star / upscale | Lacu Sarat - 5 miles south of Braila |
| Belvedere | three-star / midscale | Danube River Walk (Faleza) |
| Traian | three-star / midscale | Braila City Centre |
...
Tourist Information
Braila Tourist Info Centre
Centrul National de Informare (CNIPT) – Braila
Address: Str. Edmond Nicolau 4 A
Website
Telephone: (+4) 0786 478.494
E-mail
Braila City Hall - Tourist Information Department
(Primăria Brăila)
Address: Piata Independentei 1
Telephone: (+4) 0239 649.947
E-mail
Website
Postal services & Telephone
Main Post Office
Address: Str. Danubiului 8
Telephone: (+4) 0239 672.222
Open:
Mon. – Fri.: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.;
Sat. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Note: Post offices display a postal horn symbol and the word Posta.
Telephoning Braila from Abroad
International Access Code + 40 (country code) + 239 or 339 (area code) + six-digit telephone number
Pharmacies & Hospitals
Pharmacies (farmacie) open 24 hours a day in Braila:
Farmacia Dona
Address: Strada Școlilor 96
Telephone: (+4) 0372 401.252
Braila Hospitals
Braila Emergency Hospital
Spitalul Judetean de Urgenta Braila
Address: Soseaua Buzaului 2
Telephone: (+4) 0239 692.222
Website
Braila Local Authorities
Braila City Hall
Primaria Braila
Address: Piata Independentei 1
Telephone: (+4) 0239 649.947
E-mail
www.PrimariaBraila.ro
Braila County Archives
Directia Judeteana Braila a Arhivelor Nationale
Address: Str. Plevna 8 bis
Braila, postal code 810111
Telephone: (+4) 0239 613.147
Opening Hours
E-mail
Braila Consumer Protection Agency
Comisariatul Judeţean pentru Protecţia Consumatorilor Brăila
Address: Str. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr. 121
Telephone: (+4) 0239 615.641
E-mail
Website
Maps
Braila City Map (Harta Orasului Braila)
Romania Physical Map (Romania - Harta Fizica)
Romania Detailed Road Map (Romania - Harta Detaliata)
Romania Road Map (Romania - Harta Drumurilor, Sosele)
Romania Rail Map (Romania - Harta Cailor Ferate)
