Cluj-Napoca city seems to get increasingly more support to be named the European Cultural Capital in the near future. Perhaps more for this purpose, Cluj-Napoca is currently undergoing a process of restoring historical buildings in the center, a new image coming out from under the scaffolding of the workers. But this city represent much more than some beautiful buildings, it is an important academic, cultural and economic center, the place where historical buildings with medieval perfume and the top corporate headquarters seem to be part of the same story.
Its long story begins with the Napoca city, as an important town of the Dacians. After the Roman conquering, the city will continue to exist, but with another name, Castrum Clus, when it was only a medieval fortress. Throughout time, due to wars, conquests and unification with other Romanian states, it have passed over the area at the base of Feleac, which continued to grow dramatically after all the standards. Initially, under Hungarian domination, a large number of Germans were brought here to develop the town, fact which actually happened. An important craft city, Cluj has since become an important center of Transylvania, being designated its capital more than once. During the communist period, Napoca was added to the name of Cluj, pro-Dacianism phenomenon being very common at that time. Thus, several cities have regained Dacian denominations. Today there are some voices who want to remove those designations.
Currently, the city of Cluj-Napoca is in constant expansion on all levels, bragging with its new buildings. However, if you want to visit this region, you should first start with the old buildings, really worth visiting. The city doesn't have many museums, but those that exist are truly interesting. First of all, the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania, which brings altogether thousands of tools, clothes and handicrafts, arranged according to the role they fulfilled and their geographic area of origin, is a source of relaxation and also gaining more cultural knowledge. The pleasant creaking of the floors does nothing but only add extra charm to a travel time among objects that many thought would not have ever been used in Romania.
The National Art Museum includes works by famous Romanian painters, sometimes temporary exhibitions taking place, such as those of portraiture, including artistic photographs. Transylvanian History Museum is a delight for lovers of culture and civilization, including diverse and relevant exhibits for the history of the region, and for the city as well. There is also the Theater, Pharmacy Museum, Speleology Museum and Babes Bolyai University, and Matthias Corvinus House, next to a small museum dedicated to Octavian Goga, and several other, smaller ones.
And because Babes Bolyai University was already mentioned, it should be added that this is one of the main attractions of the city, tens of thousands of students coming not only from the country, but also from other countries to study in the city of Cluj-Napoca. And in a universitary city, cultural activities flourish. It is the case of Transylvania Film Festival, which takes place every year, gathering top films from around the world along with famous stars and hundreds of moviegoers. Also the Comedy Festival should be mentioned, the Days of Cluj-Napoca and also the Cluj International Marathon. Moreover, concerts and theater performances are daily events.
The economy of the Transylvanian town has one of the most dynamic developments in the whole country. Over 23,000 private companies operate here, as well as a high number of wealthy people mentioned in the charts of the country. Hence some companies have started running their business and become extremely popular today, companies such as BT (one branch of the bank can be found at each step), Napolact, Brinel Jolidon or Charm. But economic development comes with a price. Recently, the city was named the most expensive city in Romania. At least, people from Cluj have access to everything new pretty quickly, if it can be regarded as a consolation.
Cluj-Napoca itself is in a continual state of renewal. Besides the rehabilitation of old buildings, work is currently underway to build a new tram network, which would reduce the journey time by half, and the stress the road traffic would become a bad dream left behind. Currently, there are done the last finishing strokes of the new stadium built in place of former "Ion Moina", which is to be opened in an eccentric style with two concerts: the band Scorpions and then Smokie.
The city has for certain an active life, far from falling asleep and be left behind as it happened to other urban areas. In fact, the vast majority of those who came into contact with people and life style here were thrilled. No wonder that one of the largest world investment analysts, Kenneth Fisher, has returned to the States, perfectly convinced of Cluj-Napoca's possibilities for development. With such open-minded and hard-working people it couldnt be otherwise.