thumb|right|1959 map of Țara Bârsei

right|thumb|The coat of arms of Țara Bârsei

Țara Bârsei ( ; ) is a historic and ethnographic area in Brașov County, southeastern Transylvania, Romania with a mixed population of Romanians, Germans, and Hungarians. Its most important city is Brașov. Țara Bârsei is named after the Bârsa (Barca, Burzen, 1231: Borza) stream, The Romanian word is of uncertain origin.

History

Middle Ages

Based on archaeological evidence, it seems German colonization of the region started in the middle of the 12th century during the reign of King Géza II of Hungary. The German colonists from this region are attested in documents as early as 1192 when terra Bozza is mentioned as being settled by Germans (Theutonici).

In 1211 the region was given to the Teutonic Knights by King Andrew II of Hungary in return for guarding the southeastern border of the Kingdom of Hungary against the Cumans. While the king retained his right to mint currency and claims on gold or silver deposits that would be uncovered, he granted the Teutonic Order the right to establish markets and administer justice. The crusaders were also free from taxes and tolls. The Teutonic Knights began building wood-and-earth forts in the area and they had constructed five castles (quinque castra fortia): a view challenged by some scholars invoking archaeological Bountiful agricultural yields led to further colonization by German immigrants. The confusing status of the Teutonic Knights within the Kingdom of Hungary led Hermann von Salza to insist upon autonomy before committing the military order to Prussia. while in the second half of the 15th century out of nine villages from the domain of Bran seven were Romanian (villae valachicales, Bleschdörfer) and only two German.

Early modern period

Representatives of the Romanian communities of Șcheii Brașovului, Țara Bârsei and Făgăraș, as well as of the "Greek" (Eastern Orthodox) company of merchants of Brașov, opposed the union of the local Romanian Orthodox Church with Rome under Atanasie Anghel in 1701.

The opposition movement, aided by Wallachian diplomacy, achieved a compromise in which the jurisdiction of the Greek Catholic bishop remained recognized but the Metropolis of Wallachia would be appealed to for the ordination of priests and other spiritual matters. The compromise lasted until 1724, when following the annexation of Oltenia into the Habsburg monarchy, the St. Nicholas Church in Șcheii Brașovului and the parishes in Țara Bârsei were subordinated to the Eastern Orthodox Bishopric of Râmnic.

Demographics

Turkic presence in the form of Pechenegs and Oghuz Turks in the Three Seats and Țara Bârsei is attested by toponyms and written documents from the beginning of the 13th century.

Three Hungarian communities in the Seven Villages have a ritual called Borica that is unique within Țara Bârsei and among the broader dance culture of Hungarian-speakers.

Culture

The region is home to the protected food name with Protected Geographical Indication "Novac afumat din Țara Bârsei" ("Smoked bighead carp of Țara Bârsei").

The first issue of the regional magazine Țara Bârsei appeared in 1929 in Brașov under the coordination of . The magazine was founded with the objective of highlighting the history and specificity of the region and its contribution to national Romanian culture.

Towns

300px|thumb|View of part of Țara Bârsei from the peak of [[Postăvaru. Ghimbav is on the right, while Codlea can be seen in the distance on Măgura Codlei.]]

300px|thumb|Same view in winter

In each case, the modern Romanian name is given first, followed by the German and Hungarian names.

  • Apața (Geist, Apáca)
  • Bod (Brenndorf, Botfalva)
  • Bran (Törzburg, Törcsvár)
  • Brașov (Kronstadt, Brassó)
  • Codlea (Zeiden, Feketehalom)
  • Cristian (Neustadt, Keresztényfalva)
  • Crizbav (Krebsbach, Krizba)
  • Dumbrăvița (Schnakendorf, Szunyogszék)
  • Feldioara (Marienburg, Földvár)
  • Ghimbav (Weidenbach, Vidombák)
  • Hălchiu (Heldsdorf, Höltövény)
  • Hărman (Honigberg, Szászhermány)
  • Măieruș (Nußbach, Szászmagyarós)
  • Prejmer (Tartlau, Prázsmár)
  • Râșnov (Rosenau, Barcarozsnyó)
  • Rotbav (Rotbach, Szászveresmart)
  • Săcele (Siebendörfer, Szecseleváros / Négyfalu)
  • Sânpetru (Petersberg, Barcaszentpéter)
  • Șercaia (Schirkanyen, Sárkány)
  • Vulcan (Wolkendorf, Szászvolkány)
  • Zărnești (Zernescht, Zernest)

See also

  • Nösnerland

References

  • Peasants and castles of Țara Bârsei
  • Former coat of arms of Țara Bârsei
  • Map showing German settlements in Transylvania
  • German mountain names in Țara Bârsei
  • Romanian ethnographical areas
  • Shooting the rooster - traditions of the Hungarian community from Țara Bârsei
  • http://www.brasovtravelguide.ro/en/brasov/events/junii-feast.php