Where is Transylvania located and which European country does it belong to?

Transylvania is a historical and geographical region located in the central part of Romania. Situated on the western side of the Carpathian Mountains, it is nestled between the peaks, rivers and valleys of the Southern and Eastern Carpathians. The area also borders Moldova and Ukraine to the east, Serbia, Bulgaria and Hungary to the south, and the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the west.Given its unique geographical positioning, Transylvania has had a turbulent history – one that has seen the region wrestled back and forth between various powers. In this guide, we will explore Transylvania’s captivating history, its predominant population, and its place within Romania today.

The History of Transylvania

The history of Transylvania spans centuries and many different rulers. In fact, the very name itself comes from ancient times: it is derived from a Latin term meaning “beyond the forest’. It is thought that during the 4th century BC, Celts were among the first dwellers of the area. The region was then conquered by the Roman Empire, who added Transylvania to their frontiers by 45 AD. As Roman borders expanded further, thousands of Emigrants followed in their footsteps to settle in the verdant plains and rolling hills.During the 12th century, Transylvania was conquered by a wave of Hungarian invaders. The magyar language (the lingua franca spoken in Hungary today) was introduced to the area in this time period, as were Christianity and Catholic culture. During this period of Hungarian influence, Transylvania’s first written documents were created when Saxon Germans began to settle in southern Transylvania in large numbers. The Hungarian control of Transylvania didn’t last long. By the 15th century, Ottoman Turks had replaced the Hungarians as rulers. The Ottomans ruled for two centuries until 1711 when the Hapsburg Dynasty (in present-day Austria) became dominant. Then, following the Russo-Turkish war in 1877-1878 and the Congress of Berlin, Transylvania was incorporated into Romania.

The People of Transylvania

Despite its ever-changing rulerships, Transylvania has maintained a distinct cultural identity over the centuries. This unique identity is largely attributed to the variety of ethnicities that have called Transylvania home throughout its history. Romanians make up the vast majority of today’s Transylvanian population, numbering around 45 percent. Hungarians make up 22 percent, while Roma (or Gypsies) constitute four percent; other ethnicities include German Saxons, Slovaks and Rusyns. In urban areas (especially in the cities of Cluj-Napoca and Brasov), these demographical percentages differ slightly. Of course, Transylvania also has its fair share of minority religions – not least its sizeable population of Orthodox Christians. This can be traced back to Greek influence during 9th century AD Byzantium rule, with many Romanian principalities still electing Orthodox leadership. Many Jews also settled in the larger cities of Transylvania during the 16th century Ottoman rule – on top of existing Hungarian communities who were already housed in towns across the region.Wikipedia also provides an interesting overview of the differing ethnic and religious groups that have lived in Transylvania over its history.

Transylvania Today

Today, Transylvania is one of Romania’s eight regions – making it a major player in Romanian politics and culture. The area still exudes its captivating natural heritage; its unspoiled rolling hills are crossed by dozens of rivers, adding to its postcard-perfect feel when seen from medieval fortresses atop rocky crags. It is here where generations upon generations have passed down their unique languages and cultures. Unique foods are still cooked using traditional ingredients according to recipes that have been passed through generations – a surefire way to sample this area’s rich identity. Valleys dotted with mysterious ancient citadels also provide a peek back in time – places like Hunedoara, once held by rulers such as Vlad III Tepes – also known as Count Dracula! No matter how much time passes, Transylvania will always have something to show both its inhabitants and travelers alike. As such, it stands as a key strategic region for Romania’s tourism industry; hikers trek miles up its peaks for a chance to witness its beguiling mountain passes, teeming with wildlife along fly-fishing rivers with crystal-clear rapids. Several towns continue to mine salt from salty lakes (particularly nearby Turda), offering visitors an interesting historical insight – not least a glimpse at Europe’s first salt mines built by Dacian craftsmen two thousand years ago! Here at The Little Eco Traveler, we found several eco-adventures and fun hikes awaiting you in Transylvania! In conclusion, Transylvania is a historical and geographical region located in the central part of Romania – one which has had a chaotic political history spanning many different rulers throughout hundreds upon hundreds of years. Despite this seeming instability, this area has maintained its unique culture made up of different ethnicities, religions and languages – all of which are still very much preserved today thanks to its gorgeous place within Romania’s tourism map – as well as to countless communities who continue to keep their traditions alive.