The Saxon region of Transylvania was known as the Siebenburgen (the seven towns), all of medieval origins in the 13th century. Three of them Sibiu/ Hermannstadt, Sighisoara/Schassburg, and Brasov/Kronstadt shaped the Saxon Triangle. Settlers were induced to the area from Luxembourg and Flanders by the Holy Roman Emperor with the promise of land and free rule in return for providing soldiers when needed to ward off Turkish incursions. The portion of the Transylvanian map below, dating from the 1500s, can be seen in full here.
Sighisoara/
Schässburg
Schässburg
Brasov/
Kronstadt
Kronstadt
Bran/
Turtzfest
Turtzfest
Sibiu/
Hermannstadt
Hermannstadt
The 'Siebenburgen' (Seven Towns) of Transylvania covers a wide area that includes almost 400 towns and villages of Saxon origin dating back to the 1300s. Many still retain their medieval character and architecture.
