Casa Brăneană – A Legacy Since 1938

At the crossroads between the road to Șimon and the heart of Bran, with views over the village and the mountains guarding the castle, stands a house with soul: Casa Brăneană. Built in 1938, just before the outbreak of World War II, this house carries not only family memories within its walls, but also a true piece of local history.

It was built by Nicolae Pivaru, a visionary man who brought materials from Italy — handcrafted stoves, elegant chandeliers — all to create a refined space worthy of the guests he welcomed: important families from all corners of the country. On the ground floor, there was a restaurant and a grocery shop, and in the backyard oven, the grandmother would knead bread, sweet cozonac, and traditional plăcinte (Romanian pies) — their aroma remembered fondly by many locals to this day.

The house was built on a strong wooden beam structure, designed to stand the test of time — and it truly has. It withstood two major earthquakes, including the one in 1977, when the walls trembled but remained standing, like a symbol of the resilience of those who lived here.

Under the communist regime, the Pivaru family was hit hard. The grandfather was imprisoned for political reasons, and the grandmother was deported. They were forced to share their home with others, paying rent in their own house. Still, the property was never fully nationalized, and the family managed — with dignity — to preserve part of their heritage.