Transylvania in Antiquity and the Middle Ages. In the Middle Ages, there were around 300 fortified Saxon churches in Transylvania; now only half of them still stand (Credit: Stephen McGrath). (Bhlau Verlag, Kln), 1976. ausgenommen dem Neugier-Faktor. The similarities with Luxembourgish are both in lexical nature and grammar nature. These fortified churches, or kirchenburgen as they are known in standard German, had defensive capacities in the event of a foreign attack on a rural Transylvanian Saxon community (e.g. These names don't occur in the Keintzel-Schn book, however they are
dr. Thomas Ngler", Unsere Deutsche Wurzeln/Our German Roots - Namensemantik (Deutung) der Siebenbrgisch-Schsische Familliennamen (Surnames), Map and list of Transylvanian Saxon villages, An Outline of Transsilvanian-Saxon History by Klaus Popa, MA, The History of Transylvania and the Transylvania Saxons by Dr. Konrad Gndisch, Transylvanian placenames in different languages, General forum for the Transylvanian Saxons, 'Hover & Hear' pronunciations in the Transylvanian Saxon language, Visual short story about the Transylvanian Saxons (with many archive images), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Transylvanian_Saxons&oldid=1141880666, Articles containing Romanian-language text, Articles containing Hungarian-language text, "Related ethnic groups" needing confirmation, Articles using infobox ethnic group with image parameters, Articles containing explicitly cited English-language text, Pages using multiple image with auto scaled images, Articles with German-language sources (de), Articles containing Spanish-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 09:28. It is an attachment felt by many with roots in this ancient community. Although many of these fortified churches have fallen into either decay or ruin, nowadays the south-eastern region of Transylvania still has one of the highest density of existing fortified churches from the 13th to 16th centuries[30] as more than 150 villages in the area count various types of fortified churches in good shape, seven of them being included in the UNESCO World Heritage under the name of Villages with fortified churches in Transylvania. The predominantly German-populated Hermannstadt was a noteworthy cultural center within Transylvania in the past, while Kronstadt (Braov) represented a vital political center for the Transylvanian Saxons. Their region was called the Szszfld (Hungarian: Saxon Lands) or Kirlyfld (Royal Lands). Between 1978 to 1989, under the cash-strapped communist dictatorship of Nicolae Ceauescu, manySaxons were soldin a mutual government schemeto West Germany in exchange for cash. und gebrauchten einen weiterern Erkennungsnamen nur wenn es ntig war. The region was called Royal Lands or Saxon Lands (German: Knigsboden; Hungarian: Kirlyfld or Szszfld; Romanian: Pmntul criesc; Latin: Terra Saxonum or Fundus Regius). Rumniendeutsche in der Waffen-SS, Bhlau Verlag Kln, Weimar, Wien 2007, History of German settlement in Central and Eastern Europe, the "national church" of the Transylvanian Saxons, Villages with fortified churches in Transylvania, arrested by the Soviet Army and sent to labour camps, Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Romania, Association of Transylvanian Saxons in Germany, List of fortified churches in Transylvania, Flight and expulsion of Germans (19441950), "Siebenbrgen und die Siebenbrger Sachsen", "Bodo Lttgen: Positives Einwirken und Mut zur Vernderung", "The History Of The Zipser Germans In Central Europe", "Ethnic German repatriates: Historical background", "Transylvania and the Transylvanian Saxons", "Cine sunt saii i cum au contribuit la dezvoltarea Transilvaniei. Romanian Saxon villages might be tiny, but the churches are mighty. They got by on one name and used a personal identifier when needed. Most Common Romanian Surnames Later, with few opportunities emerging after communism ended, as many as half a million left between December 1989 and spring 1990, mostly to Germany, as freedom of movement opened up the country. The song of Transylvania) is the regional anthem of the Transylvanian Saxon community as well as an unofficial regional hymn of Transylvania, praising the region as a land of blessings and great natural beauty. Warfare between the Habsburg monarchy and Hungary against the Ottoman Empire from the 16th18th centuries decreased the population of Transylvanian Saxons. Johannes Benkner, former mayor of Braov/Kronstadt. und ihre Orte, Als Leute in kleinen Gruppen wohnten, haben sie bleibende Nachnamen, so
[52] Kartoffelknodel is yet another noteworthy traditional Transylvanian Saxon delight.[53]. Nonetheless, one of the consequences of the Reformation was the emergence of an almost perfect equivalence, in the Transylvanian context, of the terms Lutheran and Saxon, with the Lutheran Church in Transylvania being de facto a "Volkskirche", i.e. In a small room hangs a black-and-white photo of her great aunt. The History of Transylvania and the Transylvania Saxons by Dr. Konrad Gndisch; Transylvanian Saxon surnames; Transylvanian placenames in different languages (nemko) General site on the Transylvanian Saxons (nemko) The Transylvanian Saxons (Siebenbrger Sachsen in German) indeed have a long and storied history, and over many centuries they left an indelible mark on the region. The church is surrounded by walls 12 meters (40 feet) high and four meters (10 feet) thick. Hence, taking in consideration the aforementioned regarding the Saxon title in high medieval Transylvania, the Transylvanian Saxons' ethnic consciousness subsequently solidified after the first waves of settlers from Western Europe arrived in Transylvania and was further reinforced or revitalised with new settlers from central and southern present-day Germany during the Modern Age, more specifically during the 19th century. It also shares some identical dishes with the Austrian cuisine such as cremeschnitte (which has also been traditionally served in Bukovina as well). The Saxons first arrived in Romanias Transylvania region in the 12th Century, but over the past few decades the community has all but vanished from the region. The anthem is also known as Siebenbrgen, Land des Segens (literally Transylvania, land of blessings).[57]. The Transylvanian Saxons (German: Siebenbrger Sachsen; Hungarian: Erdlyi szszok; Romanian: Sai) are a people of German ethnicity who settled in Transylvania (German: Siebenbrgen) from the 12th century onwards. Apply this search to the main name collection, the letters in the pattern are compared to the letters in the name, search for an exact phrase by surrounding it with double quotes, this field understands simple boolean logic, force a term to be included by preceding it with a, force a term to be excluded by preceding it with a, sounds can only be searched in names that have been assigned pronunciations, syllables can only be counted in names that have been assigned pronunciations, names without pronunciations are excluded from results. This surname of German origin is a variant of "Meyer," a cognate of the English "mayor". [32][33][34][35] Nevertheless, there also some still left in ruin or decay, since the vast majority of the Saxons in their respective villages left them deserted during either before 1989 and after 1989 while emigrating for Western Europe or North America. Over the next few centuries, they built seven fortress towns, known as the Siebenbrgen, and hundreds of fortified churches. . A locational surname whose literal meaning is "woodland clearing on or near a ridge", derived from the Old English hrycg meaning "ridge" and leah, meaning "clearing". Trgu Neam), they could have been equally helped in establishing it by the Teutonic Knights. It spread to Italy during the Roman Empire and to England as early as the 1080s, being listed in the Doomsday Book compiled by William the Conqueror. Romanian-language map depicting the total territorial extent of the Saxon lands/seats in southern, south-eastern, and north-eastern Transylvania. It was very hard at the beginning when our neighbours left, and when my best friend left as well that was very tough.. THE TRANSYLVANIAN SAXONS IN 1848 The Germans of Transylvania, commonly called the Saxons, settled in the 12th and 13th centuries between Orastie and Brasov in the southeast and in the northeast around Bistrita. [17], The first wave of settlement continued well until the end of the 13th century. John the Saxon), Johannes Benkner (a former mayor of Braov/Kronstadt), or Astrid Fodor (current mayor of Sibu/Hermannstadt). Lots has changed [in our community], Linzing said. Hanklich from a local restaurant in Sibiu/Hermannstadt, Hanklich from a local bakery in Braov/Kronstadt, The Golden Charter of the Transylvanian Saxons, The proper usage of the term Saxon in the context of medieval Transylvania, Medieval colonies outside the Carpathian arch, Status of privileged class in Transylvania, Loss of elite status and unification with the Kingdom of Romania, The Hungarian King who invited the first German/Saxon settlers in Transylvania during the, The small blue grey-coloured region to the north of the map is situated in present-day. Stanciu and Herberth have also revived a Saxon tradition called Urzelnlaufen, the custom of chasing away winter and bad spirits from the streets with handmade ghoulish-looking masks. Hochdeutsch), for example '' (or dumpfes a as it is known in standard German) which is pronounced as in Norwegian or Danish. Ergnzt durch Logik und andere Forschungsquellen, u.a. Salt Anglo-Saxon, English. Das Siebenbrgenlied (i.e. However, throughout the passing of time, demographically, their numbers gradually dwindled and had been subsequently assimilated in the local medieval Wallachian and Moldavian cultures by the overwhelming Romanian ethnic majority. The colonization of Transylvania by ethnic Germans later collectively known as Transylvanian Saxons began under the reign of King Gza II of Hungary (11411162). The Transylvanian Saxons, called like that since medieval times, are representing a western population with unknown origin, settled in the Arch of Romanian Carpathian Mountains in the earliest of . Although they remained a rich and influential group, the Saxons were no longer a dominant class within Modern Age Transylvania. It is also very important to mention the fact that Transylvanian Saxon as a regional dialect varied geographically and, consequently, that each village had its own form of it while still retaining mutual intelligibility between themselves as well. Good luck in your hunt! these personal identifiers became, Einige Forscher denken das die Bedeutungen von Nachnamen von wenigen Wert sind,
The colonization of Transylvania by Germans was begun by King Gza II of Hungary (1141-1162). Prejmer is the largest fortified church in southeastern Europe and among the most impressive Saxon citadels. This, according to some scholars, is of ancient German origin. Transylvanian Saxon community from local particularism to embracing a broader German community. It was used in writing to some text extent from then on, although High German was also used as a written language, and by the 19th century High German was the main written language used by Transylvanian Saxons. Transylvania County, North Carolina - Transylvania County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. They were promised full minority rights, but many wealthy Saxons lost part of their land in the land reform process that was implemented in the whole of Romania after World War I. Ages). "devotee of"). Use the drop-down list to select a specific part of the site. It was written and composed in the mid 19th century. Numerous Saxons have emigrated to Germany, especially after the fall of the Eastern Bloc in 1989 and are represented by the Association of Transylvanian Saxons in Germany. The Web
During the 5th century ce the Saxons spread rapidly through north Germany and along the coasts of Gaul and Britain. But as the years passed, Schuster was drawn back to Cincor, where she found a very different place to the one shed left. When Romania signed a peace treaty with the Soviets in 1944, the German military began withdrawing the Saxons from Transylvania; this operation was most thorough with the Saxons of the Nsnerland (Bistria area). The PREM project final report a cultural heritage and development project in the Transylvania Region, Romania. Its weekly publication is the Volksblatt. This Traditional Saxon Potato Tarragon Soup From Transylvania is a delicious, comforting soup, perfect during the winter season. Use the drop-down list to select a specific part of the site. . Siebenbrgisch-Schsischen
Around 100,000 Germans fled before the Soviet Red Army, but Romania did not conduct the expulsion of Germans as did neighboring countries at war's end. A common interpretation of the tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, dated to 26 June 1284 and recorded in Hamelin records that (the earliest of such records dating from 1384: "It is 100 years since our children left") when a group of 130 children from the town of Hamelin (German: Hameln), in present-day Lower Saxony, were led away from their hometown by a piper (who may be a folk memory of a lokator) is that this related to an emigration event as part of the Ostsiedlung (i.e. Thu 1 Oct 2009 15.30 EDT. [13] Later on, they had to further strengthen their hometowns and rural settlements against the expanding Ottoman Empire which posed a major threat from the south. His actions were aimed at the political inequality within Transylvania, especially the political strength of the Saxons. However, the Habsburgs still promoted Roman Catholicism to the Saxons during the Counter-Reformation. Ihrer Suche! My great aunt lived here for more than 70 years, said Zakel, who bought the house last year from a family member. 47. Although the Hungarian control over Transylvania was defeated by Austrian and Imperial Russian forces in 1849, the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 (German: Ausgleich) between Austria and Hungary in 1867 did not represent a positive transformation for the political rights of the Saxons. At the time she didnt mind: as a young woman, it meant liberation from oppressive communism, a chance to forge a life on the back of newfound opportunities in a wealthier country. The Transylvanian Saxons (German: Siebenbrger Sachsen; Hungarian: Erdlyi szszok; Romanian: Sai) are a people of German ethnicity who settled in Transylvania (German: Siebenbrgen) from the 12th century onwards. The process of emigration continued during communist rule in Romania. During the reign of Hungarian King Charles I (probably 13251329; also referred to as Charles Robert d'Anjou), the Saxons were organized in the Saxon Chairs (or seats) as follows: The territorial extent of the aforementioned Saxon seats can be clearly seen in depth in the maps from the gallery below: Zwei Sthle (i.e. curiosity factor. Although the colonists came mostly from the western Holy Roman Empire and generally spoke Franconian dialectal varieties, they came to be collectively referred to as 'Saxons' because of Germans working for the royal Hungarian chancellery.[18][19]. The Saxons made their mark. The Transylvanian Saxons represented one of the three nations that made up the Transylvanian feudal system. Members of the Transylvania Saxon community are working to restore the regions traditional architecture (Credit: Stephen McGrath). The Transylvanian Saxon population has been steadily decreasing since World War II as they started leaving the territory of present-day Romania en masse during and after World War II, relocating initially to Austria, then predominantly to southern Germany (especially in Bavaria). Surnames are now important in identifying individuals and families over time. Together they are translated as "black beard". ISBN 3-412-01576-8. In comparative linguistics, Transylvanian Saxon is a West Central German dialect that is part of the Moselle Franconian branch. The letters f and h only appear in loanwords. Its 2018 U.S. Census population estimate is 34,215. Valea Viilor (German: Wurmloch) Evangelical Lutheran medieval fortified church, Saschiz (German: Keisd or Hnenburg) Evangelical Lutheran medieval fortified church, Viscri (German: Weisskirch) Evangelical Lutheran medieval fortified church, The Mongol invasion of 124142 devastated much of the Kingdom of Hungary. The church bells slowly toll and the smell of fresh roses permeates the air as 25 local Saxons, both young and old, file into the 14th-Century fortified church for Sunday morning prayers. Familienanzeigen der
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