Translation in progress, help welcome.

Ţara Bârsei (German Burzenland, Hungarian Barcaság) is an historic area in southeastern Transylvania, Romania, with Braşov (German Kronstadt) as its most important city. Since the exodus of the Transylvanian Saxons in the 20th century, this particular regional designation has lost much of its cultural meaning.

Geographically, Ţara Bârsei forms part of Carpathia, bordered approximately by Feldioara in the north, Râşnov in the southwest and Prejmer in the southeast. It is named after the brook Bârsa, which flows into the river Olt.

In 1211 the region was given by the Hungarian king Andrew II as an area of settlement for the Teutonic Knights, who established several castles there. However, 14 years later, he forcibly took back control of the region.

Towns

In each case, the modern Romanian name is given first, followed by the historic German name.

• Bod /Brenndorf
• Halchiu /Heldsdorf
• Hărman /Honigberg
• Braşov/Kronstadt
• Feldioara /Marienburg
• Cristian /Neustadt
• Măieruş /Nußbach
• Sânpetru /Petersberg
• Râşnov /Rosenau
• Rosia /Rotbach (Rotbav)
• Sercaia /Schirkanyen
• Prejmer /Tartlau
• Bran/Törzburg
• Ghimbav /Weidenbach
• Vulcan Wolkendorf, "The Shield of the Burzenland"
• Codlea/Zeiden

External links

• Bauern und Burgen im Burzenland (in German)
• Ehemaliges Wappen der Provinz Burzenland (in German)

References

This article began as a translation of the corresponding article in the German Wikipedia, retrieved 14 March 2005.