The whole Ottoman force was estimated to have between 70.000 and 180.000 troops. According to a report written by the Spanish ambassador only 20.000 Ottomans (who were an advanced detachment) took part in the battle, against 10.000 Wallachians.
Michael the Brave had in total about 16,000 and 12 large field canons, with Transylvanian, Hungarian troops, Serbian and Bulgarian haiduks under Stephen Bocskay and Sigismund Báthory. Because he had smaller forces, Michael the Brave chose a terrain that would negate the Ottoman's numeric superiority. South of the village of Călugăreni, where the Câlniştea river flows into Neajlov river, the terrain is a muddy marsh, with forests around. A narrow bridge over the Neajlov river was a mandatory pass point. The battle had three different phases.
First Phase Of The Battle
The day of 23 August 1595 started with probing cavalry attacks. The Wallachian cavalry surprised the Ottoman cavalry in front of the village and pushed it over the Neajlov river. Michael the Brave positioned himself with 10.000 troops and 10 canons north of the Neajlov river and south of the village. The Hungarian commander Albert Király was in charge of the reserve, 6.000 strong (including the Hungarian (Székely) troops sent by the ruler of Transylvania, and the Hungarians, Serbs, and Bulgarians as well as the cossack mercenaries. The reserve was positioned rather far, north-west of the village, to stop any possible attack from the direction of the village of Singureni
After the cavalry skirmish, Sinan Pasha send forward a force 12.000 strong. Michael the Brave let the force cross the river and then, after a strong bombardment, attacked fiercely pushing this force back over the river. First phase of the battle ended favorably for the Wallachians.
Second Phase Of The Battle
The second phase of the battle started at noon, when Sinan Pasha launched an attack with all the forces he had at that moment. Janissaries made a frontal attack over the bridge while other forces made a double flanking maneuver (Mehmet Satîrgi Pasha in the east and Hasan Pasha (beilerbeg of Rumelia) in the west). Janissaries attacked not only on the bridge, but also used logs and planks to help them cross the marsh. Initially their attack was stopped, but Ottoman cavalry managed to cross the river via a ford in the east and threatened the Wallachian left wing. Michael the Brave retreated, abandoning all his canons. He rallied his troops north of the village where he stopped the Ottoman advance. Second phase of the battle ended favorably for Ottomans.
Third Phase Of The Battle
The third and last phase of the battle took place in the afternoon of the day and started with a strong frontal Wallachian attack, led by Michael the Brave.
Captain Cocea had just returned from a scouting mission with 400 cavalry and his fresh forces were used in this attack in a flanking maneuver. Mehmet Satîrgi Pasha’s troops were pushed into the Janissaries and the Ottoman forces were crowded in a narrow space north of the Neajlov river.
The Wallachian counterattack reached the bridge and the canons were retaken and used to inflict many casualties to the Ottomans. Sinan Pasha tried to restore the situation by advancing with his guards, but the Ottoman forces went in disarray when captain Cocea’s cavalry attacked them in the rear and also the Ottoman camp that was near the Hulubeşti village.
In the disorganised retreat, Sinan Pasha was thrown from his horse in the marsh, but saved by one of his slaves. The Wallachians couldn’t pursue the fleeing Ottomans because Hasan Pasha appeared on their right flank. Michael the Brave turned against Hasan Pasha and routed his forces.
Aftermath of the battle
The casualties are estimated at least 1,000 men lost by the Wallachians while the Ottoman casualties were about between 10,000 and 15,000. Michael the Brave knew that he was greatly outnumbered, and during the night he retreated north. He abandoned both Bucharest and Târgovişte, stopping at the winter camp in Stoieneşti, near Bran-Rucăr pass.
Sinan Pasha captured Bucharest and left there Mehmed Pasha with 10.000 troops, then captured Târgovişte where left another 1.500 troops and 30 canons. The bulk of the Ottoman army advanced to Stoieneşti, where they took positions in front of the Wallachian army, but they didn’t attack.
On 6 September, the Transylvania ruler, Sigismund Bathory, arrived with around 7.500 cavalry to support Michael the Brave. Early October another 1.500 troops from the Hasburg empire and 300 cavalry from Toscana arrived. These combined forces attacked the Ottomans and defeated them at Târgovişte (18 Octomber), Bucharest (22 October), and Giurgiu (26 October).
A Ferrari 599 in Cluj Napoca.
Yes, we do have them, it's a sign of the times I guess. Cities like Cluj, Bucharest and Brasov are becoming very affluent as investors from the west pour in. Property prices soar, utility prices soar with it and salaries are languishing a bit. Brasov is the place to be seen, the 'Hollywood of Romania'.
Beautiful car, click the pictures to see large version.
Photos by: Lexion, Flickr
I am sorry to disapoint them This is playing
on words (jeux de mots, which the English like
so much).
Definition of the verb "to carp" - "To carp"
is a slang word which means to find fault,
often pettily and unreasonably
Other definition of "Carp" (noun) - a Dacian tribe
which lived in the 3rd century AD in Eastern
Romania (Moldavia) and who constantly
fought against the Roman empire.
The name of the Carpathian mountain chain
derives from the name of this ancient tribe.
The Bucegi are part of the South
Carpathians chain and they border to
the west the North-South Prahova river
Valley along which is the main DN1 linking
Bucharest to Brasov.
Peaks: "Omu" Peak 2,505m altitude
The Bucegi is believed to be the Thracian
holy mountain Kogainon, on which the
mythical figure Zalmoxis resided in a cave.
The Bucegi Mountains are located in central Romania, south of the city Braşov. They are part of the Southern Carpathians group of the Carpathian Mountains.
To the east, the Bucegi Mountains have a very steep slope towards the popular tourist destination Prahova Valley (a.o. Buşteni and Sinaia). At a higher elevation is the Bucegi Plateau, where wind and rain have turned the rocks into spectacular figures such as the Sphinx and Babele.
They're grouped in three parts:
* Bucegi Mountains (Omul Peak - 2505 meters)
* Leaota Mountains (Leaota Peak - 2133 meters)
* Piatra Craiului Mountains (Baciului Peak - 2238 meters)
The Bran Pass separates the Piatra Craiului and Leaota ranges; it was marked by border crossings between Wallachia and Transylvania, and was defended by the Bran Castle.
The Bucegi is believed to be the Dacian holy mountain Kogainon, on which the mythical figure Zalmoxis resided in a cave
It is the 7th largest Romanian city, after Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timişoara, Iaşi, Craiova and Galaţi. People from Braşov are known, in English, as Braşovean.
Braşov is located in the central part of the country, about 166 km from Bucharest. It is surrounded by the Southern Carpathians, and is part of the Transylvania region.
The city is notable for hosting the Golden Stag (Cerbul de Aur) international music festival.
The city was first atested in the 13th century under the name Corona. The current Romanian and Hungarian names are derived from the Pecheneg word, barasu, meaning "fortress". On Tâmpa Mountain, located on the southern side of the city, there was a citadel called Brassovia, which gave both the Romanian and the Hungarian name of the city.
The first attested mention of Braşov is Terra Saxonum de Barasu ("Saxon Land of Baras"), in a 1252 document. The German name Kronstadt means "Crown City", and is reflected in the city's coat of arms, as well as in its Medieval Latin name, Corona. The three names of the city (Braşov/Brassó, Kronstadt, and Corona) were used simultaneously in the Middle Ages.
From 1950 to 1960, during part of the Communist period in Romania, the city was called Oraşul Stalin (Stalin City), after the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.
The former Markplatz square obtained its right to held markets in 1520, but it has been the place for annual markets since 1364 being visited by merchants from the country and abroad. The houses surrounding the square speak of a rich history. A pillory, in the middle of the square, was used as a means for public humiliation, punishment and scorn. Witches were also punished here, but the head of the shoemaker guild, Stefan Stenert, who opposed the entry of the Austrian army into Brasov, was also beheaded here in 1688. Till 1892 there have been two wells in the square. The most important building in the square is the Council House, which was built in 1420 and is located in the middle of the square.
The Old Town, including the Black Church and main square or Council Square (Piaţa Sfatului), features medieval buildings in different architectural styles. Around the main square you can find the picturesque pedestrian-only Republicii street, the Black Church, former Council House, indoor and outdoor terraces and restaurants, the Orthodox Cathedral, Mureşianu's House, the Hirscher House and more. On Tâmpa Hill, located on the southern side of the city, there was a citadel called Brassovia, and the remains can be seen there today, along with the Weavers tower and the cable car station going up to the top of Mount Tâmpa.
On the same street....
In Brasov Romania .....
Near the city center.....
This is no way to behave ... !!!
A CornerMade in Romania
In the older part of the 'Hollywood of Romania', Brasov !
It just goes to show that Old Romania is just around the
corner no matter which Town or City you are in !
