Saxon Presence in Transylvania

The German Lutherans (Saxons) first began arriving in Transylvania in the mid-12th Century. They began settling in Transylvania for two primary reasons: to help defend Hungary’s border and to help develop the Transylvanian region’s economy. Due to their background in defense, Saxons lived and remained for many years in fortified towns, known as the Siebenburgen (seven castles). Saxons enjoyed the status of a privileged class as well as political rights up until the late-18th Century. Although they remained a rich and influential group, the Saxons were no longer a dominant class. Beginning in 1848 through the end of the First World War, however, the Saxons gradually lost all political power as well as land and other possessions.

In 1944, Romania signed a peace treaty with the Soviet Union, ending their previous ties to Nazi Germany. German Saxons were not forced to leave, but the German government began withdrawing some Saxons and many Saxons fled before the Soviet Union took control of the area. Many Saxons were arrested for allegedly conspiring with Germany and were sent to labor camps in Siberia. After World War II, many remaining Saxons lost some political rights and were persecuted by the Communist government. Because of the high number of Saxons who emigrated from Transylvania, their population in Romania is decreasing. In 2002, there were 60,088 German-speaking Romanians, compared to 745,421 in 1930.

Submitted by: Breanna, Debbie, Catherine