Transylvania and Princes

The one thing that I find fascinating in general is Royalty.


Royalty of the past and of the present. The dynasties and the value they gave to their countries, or principalities or duchies or whatever.

There is still Royalty in Transylvania, although it is in the King of Romania now.

Long ago though Transylvania had its own Prince. Not surprisingly the leader was called "Prince of Transylvania. The person was the leader of the government of the area.

After the formation of the Dual Monarchy of Austria and Hungary, the Prince of Transylvania was also the King of Hungary and Emperor of Austria.

The last person to lay claim to Prince of Transylvania was Emperor Karl of Austria, King of Hungary, and Prince of Transylvania.

His son Otto von Hapsburg is the current pretender to this claim.

Transylvania and Popular Culture in North America

Would you say that Transylvania in North America has a sort of negative following?

 
I would say no.  On one condition, that no one mentions Dracula.  Then there is a negative reaction as people don't truly know who he was.  Otherwise for most people in North America is really doesn't matter, they don't know where the land or its people are.
 
So, really to tell someone that Transylvania is located in Romania usually results in rather blank looks.  "Where is Romania?" is the next question.  It's hard to explain it, by telling them it's in central Europe.  "Is that where Dracula comes from?" is often the next question. To be fair, the most people know in North America about Europe is from the movies and the books that they read.
 
There are many clubs in the United States that promote the peoples of Transylvania.  One of them is the Alliance of the Transylvanian Saxons.  A big thank you to Jane for pointing that one out to me.  I'm not sure of others, mostly because it is hard to find them on Google.  Can anyone tell me?
 
So, what will help people know about Transylvania?
 
I think the first thing is to promote the idea that the land and all of its people are unique and it has a great history.  The people who live there are not only Romanians, but are also, Hungarians, Germans and Italians.  They are all proud of their heritage and promote them as often as they can.

Here's you Chance to Talk about Transylvania!

What do you think is the most positive thing about Transylvania?


By positive I mean what you feel helps Transylvania make it so unique and vibrant. I want you comments about culture or people. I do know about the history, so a rehash of it doesn't really help.

Also you can add what you think each culture did to make Transylvania a better place to live:

For example: The Romanians have spent much money promoting tourism to the region and to the harder to see places. The Hungarians in the regions show much pride in their costumes and historical dress. The Germans living there still keep their traditions and promote tourism from Germany. The Romans gave the land ancient buildings which people come to admire.

Those kinds of things. Name the culture as well. It is important to tell people the best things about each culture, as this is what this blog is promoting.

What else is great about Transylvania? Things that you couldn't find anywhere else.

No quotes from wikipedia please, as it is often inaccurate, but telling a great book to read is okay, as I can read both English, French , and German , so for me to sit and read a book in another language is good for me, keep s my mind active.

New Look of Things about Transylvania

Take time to look at the new side bar, this came from a person who suggested that I add lables to my posts so that people can find what they are looking for quicker.

Some of the lables: Royalty, History, Comments, and most important

Sunday Weekly comments: This is where I post on a blog the best comment of the week, I'll also tell you where to find it. This is not me who writes these comments, so look for the title it will be in big letters.

This week's comment can be found in "1600 and Transylvania and Royalty" go back a couple of blogs to insert your comments there! The author of the comment posted a link to his website.

Read The Transylvania Blog Carefully.

Yes I know that there are many who do not like what is said in this blog.

However, I do rotate peoples and places I write about. I will not exclude anyone, read the comments before hand to understand this blog. i Understand people have many feelings about Transylvania, however, this is a blog in which I encourage dialogue, and not one which will say "my culture was destroyed" from now on any published comments will make reference to their culture, whatever culture that is.

As in right now I am talking about Romanian History in Transylvania.
Soon it will be German History in Transylvania.

Then back to Hungarian History in Transylvania.
Then to the Romans

Then back to the Romanians and so on.

Does this help?

Yesterday and Comments on Transylvania

Check out Yesterday's blog for the commentary to this blog. (See the Blog archive on the right)



I've had so many people comment on this blog, thanks. I try to give out as much information as I can on the various people who live in Transylvania. I wrote the following blog (1600, Transylvania and Royalty) A few days ago which got yesterday's comments. Take a look!

At any rate I do try to find out more on the peoples of Transylvania: Yes there are all kinds and each is unique and vital to Transylvania, From the Romanians to the Germans to the Italians to the Hungarians, each left a mark on how the people of North America perceive the land.

Keep up the comments they are great!

Important Comment about Transylvania

I have had many many many comments about This blog,thank you. From Now on on Sunday I will publish as a blog two of the most interesting ones. This week I only have one: Remember comments will be published provided that there is no vulgar language or is attacking anyone personally.

See 1600 and Transylvania for the full comment: (about 3 blogs back)

Transylvania - Erdély - Was a Hungarian - Magyar - land that was GIVEN to Romania in the Trianon Diktat!

Transylvania has absolutely nothing in common with romanian-vlach history.

Transylvania was Hungarian for a Thousand years As part of the Hungarian Kingdom
As an Independent Hungarian Principality
As part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
Transylvania was part and parcel of the Hungarian Kingdom, or an independent Hungarian Principality for over a thousand years.

As an integral part of the Hungarian Kingdom, Transylvania and Kolozsvár was drawn into the Western Christian Culture Circle at the beginning of the eleventh century. The architecture of old Transylvanian cities, such as Nagyvárad , Kolozsvár , Marosvásárhely, Brassó or Dés bear witness to this fact. Besides a few scattered ruins of Roman fortifications, destroyed by the retreating Roman legions in 271 A.D., no sign of any kind would indicate a trace of an older established culture preceding the arrival of the Hungarians. Not even the legends, folk tales, ballads or folk songs of any one of the cohabiting ethnic groups suggest anything of this kind, except the oldest Hungarian (Székely) legends which date back to the time of Attila and the empire of the Huns.

Hungarians and Transylvania

Yes I agree with the many comments people make and it is apparent that people have much to say.

If you check a few blogs back I do mention Hungarians and their role in Transylvania. You need to follow the blog, as I go through several cultures and people and than do it again.

You tell me what is the best thing about Transylvania to you?

Journey to Transylvania

I am writing a non-fiction book about Transylvania. If you want to know how that is going see my blog.

I have found so much on the web so I'd thought that I would send some to you. I found this website helpful it's about Romania. It was neat to see some of the pictures.

I wish though that I could find a really good blog about Transylvania, as yet I haven't but when I do I'll link it from this page.

1600 Transylvania, and Royalty

One of the most important things to happen that year was the unification of Transylvania to Romania.

This would not have been possible without the leadership of the Prince Of Transylvania, Moldavia and Wallachia. He was known as Michael the brave. It is ironic that he had the greatest chance of keeping the peace and increasing the population, yet that same year, 1600, he was murdered on orders of Hungary.

The Hungarian crown than took control of Transylvania.

Comments on this, what do you think would happen had Romanian Royalty kept the land of Transylvania?

Transylvania and Kings

Who do you think has the most influence in Transylvania today?

Vlad Tepes (Better Known as Count Dracula in North America)
King Michael Of Romania ( He abdicated in 1947. Still alive)

or sixteenth century King Michael the Brave?

Tell me what you think

A little Walk in Transylvania

I expected some to stay.... I expected some to go back

That was the common refrain of the Transylvanian Saxons when they left in 1944. At least the northern part of Transylvania. the left because of the advancing Russian troops. What of those in the South?

They were sent eastward into Russia. Into the Russian Labour camps. If you're wondering go and check wikipeadia, and type in Transylvanian Saxon. You'll find some interesting things there, but not much.

What could be done to protect these people not much. I suspect it is one aspect of History that most will not speak of. I wonder what would happen if people began to talk to World War II in an academic manner, probably most would not like to hear much about it. At least not from say the Russian or Hungarian or Romanian point of View.

I am hoping that I'll be able to meet with some of the consulates soon. I'll tell you what happens in each blog.

Friends and Transylvania

I recently received an email from a long time friend of mine: To save time I'll insert what she had to say about Transylvania

So you get a feel she is from North America. She likes to travel but hasn't been outside of North America. She loves everything to do with the Windsors. (Britain's Royal family)

"I don't really get your obsession with Transylvania and all, and why you do this blog... Isn't that where Dracula came from? Of course, your ancestors to, but they are very European... Does Romania still talk about restoring their monarchy, say one of the Windsors?... I hope that Romania has a good tourism industry because one day I'd love to go and see Dracula's castle"

This is a real email, and she is legitimately asking. I wonder how long my email will be after this, but I think it is a good thing to show people as this way shows how little many people often know about a land and its people.

Transylvania and Earth Day

Earth Day: I wonder what Transylvania would be like without its green land.

Probably not as memorable. The castles and the mountains are framed with the green forests and rivers. Right now at least.

Come with me: say 30 year into the future:

Brown forest, no green, framing an ancient castle, the river around it choked with brown algae. People coughing as the smog is the once fog around the castle.

Is that what we want?

Maybe a book on Transylvania...

oh wait I am! you can read it in this blog.

Not to many comments thus far, I'll wait for another blog, it will be nice to talk about it soon. So far I will have to admit to Qieen Maria being mroe interesting, but I want to hear from you!

Royalty and Transylvania

I am asking a question, love hear all your comments: This is on Royalty of Romania from the past, in relation to Transylvania:

Did King Michael the Brave have a positive impact on Romania? (He's from the 16th Century, not the King Michael of Romania who reigned in the 20th Century)

and

Did Queen Maria of Romania have a positive impact on Romania? (Granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom)

Transylvania and Heritage Part II

Comments are always welcome! Welcome to the new followers of Things about Transylvania, good to have you here!


While I continue on my journey to find an aspect that Romania and Transylvania have that the rest of the World knows about, and is correct, I'm working at the ideals of the life many lead.

I think Bram Stoker, and his novel Dracula, influenced the feel of Transylvania for many years in North America. Many often point out that they can "see" how Transylvania still looks.

The people who immigrated to North America often point out that they have never heard of Dracula before, until they mention they are from Transylvania.

I am not sure why that is. Possibly because we have a misguided notion of history, or we simply don't learn it the way it is taught in Europe. That's to bad really, as one forgets history and then can't understand the beauty of the past and its culture.

For the next few blogs I'll be going through many of the Royalty of the Twentieth Century who influenced Transylvania. I'll be going through some of the leaders as well.

The largest blog series will be on the people, their religion and cultures. I will try not to forget one, but comments are needed. my other blog also deals with Transylvania, as I am writing a book on the subject of Transylvania.

What is the Most Important Aspect?

The people.



I have not mentioned on two particular groups I feel deserve some note:

I don't have much information on them, and any help would be great!

The Romanians and the Roma.

The Romanians are the largest cultural population in Transylvania. They have a wonderful culture and values. They have for the most part lived there for many centuries, though the general view in the West is that Transylvania was not populated until the 1960's. The Romanian population was always there.

During the Hungarian rule there was a strong push to destroy this unique culture. After the unification with Romania, the role was reversed, and people were encouraged to celebrate their culture.

As for the Roma, there is not much to be said in the West (by the West I mean North America) much of what does come out is not helpful in understanding their culture and heritage. I wish that there was some books that show them in a light that allows people to see them as a valuable part to Romania.

My search about Transylvania continues...

Transylvania and Heritage

It is the greatest thing to have comments. I love to hear them.

No matter what I always publish them. (one exception vulgar language is not published) whomever wrote to me for my last commentary is very right. Very right.

The West has its own views on culture. The Romanians are an integral part of Transylvania. I unfortunately know little of their own history.

I in fact, am the first non-Transylvanian born person in my family. For those of you from Romania, I would be a German Saxon. Therein lies the problem, I suspect the Saxons harbor much bitterness, as do the Romanians.

I'd love to learn more about Romania, and the Transylvania of the Romanians. This is what this blog is all about. Comments are totally welcome. I might be wrong, but I am willing to learn.

Transylvania's Best.

Name three of your most favorite people that helped make Transylvania famous, or were from Transylvania and became famous in their own right.

I'll give you some more names tomorrow. That means a bit of history and my own three favorite.

Comments are needed and will be published, as always.

Before they were Queens

Before Queen Maria of Romania and Queen Mother Helen died they became a bit of legends in their own right.

Their past is far more interesting, and unique.

Queen Maria was born in England a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, through her second son Alfred, she wouldn't have become Queen had she not married Crown Prince Ferdinand of Romania. She had a budding romance with her cousin Prince George of Wales, later King George V. Her mother quashed that. For there she was married at seventeen and went to Romania. It wasn't until 1915 when she became Queen, and earned her place in Romanian history at the end of the war.

Queen mother Helen, on the other hand was born in Greece, but she was a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria through her mother Sofia of Prussia. Her life in Greece was not easy. The family was united and close. She would go on to marry Crown Prince Carol of Romania, the marriage was not happy but they had one son, the future king Michael. Her place in history was assured during the Second World War. She saved a Jewish family, and gained the respect of Romania through her good deeds.

I love Transylvania

That's it I need to say it, I really need to say it. It's almost to big not to say it, but I'll try to contain my excitement. I love Transylvania.

There is so much variation in the land and in the cultures that lived there, and still live there. I do like finding out about the people and learning what the histories of each group was like. Of course each culture has their own take on history int eh region but that's what makes it all the more interesting.

In many ways
the Romans put Transylvania on the map.
Then the Countess of Transylvania.
The Hungarian Crown.
The Romanian Crown.
The Turks.
Vlad Dracula.
The Germans.
The Italians
The Russians

I could go on but I won't.. or at least not this blog.

Woman in Transylvania

I wonder what life would be like for a woman who lived in Transylvania in the early 1950s.

From what I know there was not much difference from hundreds of years before, if you lived on a farm. All the women faced hard work and being the head of the house, they would clean and care for the children. They helped in the fields. They gave birth. They also had less education, but that depended on the culture as well.

The cities were different, as it was where much of the new technology would arrive first. But that is now things are. Even here.

I wonder why that is, but I suppose that people had their own methods of working and wanted to farm the way they were taught.

It is similar to Royalty I suspect. Think of all the traditions that remain even after centuries.

Transylvania and Queens and Women

I must say, perhaps my most admired influence is not someone you would expect. If I had to say something about the women who influenced Transylvania, I would say the women who lived and worked there.

It would not be the land it is without farmers and other merchants and the women worked alongside their husbands, brothers and fathers. They worked the land and built the homes and churches and other landmarks.

Yes, Queen Maria did much for the land, making it famous in a positive manner than before. Yes, there was the Countess of Transylvania, who without the peasants girls and minor nobility's daughters, she would never be famous. Yes, Queen Mother Helen of Romania, who stood against the Nazi and saved Jewish families, and encouraged her son King Michael.

It would be interesting to find more about these people. As I have done for the Countess of Transylvania's associates, I'll be doing the same with other women, so that Transylvania comes alive.

Transylvanian Style

Okay, a question: I'll give you my answer a bit later today.

There are many women that historians marvel over, who would you say did the most for Transylvania?

Transylvania and Austria?

Where there links between Transylvania and Austria?

In a sense yes there were, take a map of Europe before 1914, or even 1918, and look, Transylvania is a part of the Austrian Empire.

Okay, that is one of the links, what about others? in 1867, Transylvania, a province of Hungary, joined with the Austrian Crown.

I wonder what would have happened had not Germany risen to power by 1914, and allowed Austria to lure it into a war...

Transylvania and Hungary

Transylvania was a part of Hungary once.

This was before the First World War, and some of the more famous Emperors and Kings that ruled Hungary also ruled the Dual Monarchy, Austria.

Emperor Franz Joesph of Austria and King of Hungary, was a man who had fate as an enemy, perhaps most famous for being the man who started the First World War, his family life was not good: His son commuted suicide and his wife was assassinated, his eldest daughter died young, and only two daughters survived him. What created the start of the war was another death that of the heir to the throne

Emperor Karl of Austria and King of Hungary was the last of the Hapsburg to rule the area. He died in 1922, after becoming Emperor in 1916 after the death of Franz Joesph. He was bets know to be the Emperor that King George V of England did save-- as he did not save the Romanov Imperial family.

Transylvania after negotiations went to Romania , with much help from Queen Maria of Romania, who was George's first cousin.

Where to in Transylvania?

It fun to hear about tourism in Transylvania and many of my friends are big on going the long way to things. This is supposed to be an excellent way to see Transylvania.

Another great way to see something closer to home in Canada at least are the Saxon clubs in the Kitchener Waterloo area. The dress and food are good. If you want some Oktoberfest food and other items, head down there in October, you won't regret it.

Of course, this is one way to see "old" Transylvania, the rest I am afraid is through books, and oral history.

Queen Maria of Romania wrote several books about Romania, and her life.

Bram Stoker did not, though he does mention the area extensively. He didn't go to Transylvania but used London's underground catacombs, as his inspiration.

I wonder how much of his writings have influenced our view on Transylvania. ( In North America) The people were unique, and for the most part still are.

More on that tomorrow.

What Happened to?

As Everyone has been asking about this I have some responses:

Elizabeth Bathory had some associates who aided her in her quest for beauty I'll list each of them and their fates after the Castle Csejthe was raided and the men found bodies of girls:

Elizabeth Bathory: since she was a noble women she was walled up inside the castle for the remainder of her life. Not convicted of any crime, due to her high ranking family.

Dorothea Szentes: under her claims of being a witch, she encouraged Bathory's more evil tendencies, as such she was beheaded and cremated.

Anna Darvula: she also claimed to be a witch, she was beheaded and cremated.

Johannes Ujvary: Elizabeth's major-domo, found guilty and burned alive. Confessed to the murder of 37 girls.

Iloona Joo: had her finger torn off and burned alive. Confessed to the murder of forty girls.

I am still searching for more on the life of the associates of the Countess of Transylvania. Keep Reading.

Advice to Royalty... Think of Queen Maria

Dignity. Duty. Honour. Dedication.

I suspect that these values are enforced to each person who is a member of the royal family. It would be upsetting if the King or queen acted in an manner different to that.That doesn't mean that each person is successful in doing this. Some of the best, held these traits in high esteem and were beloved by the people because of it.

Others did not do this and lost the esteem of the people. Queen Maria of Romania had the fortune of having two mentors that showed her how to be unique but hold dedication and duty above all. King Carol of Romania, her uncle by marriage, and her Grandmother Queen Victoria.

Because of this, her dedication to the cause of Romania, and to the good of its people gave her a lasting loyalty from them. She was instrumental in the Paris Peace conferences, to double her land. She honoured her husband by remaining dedicated to him, they remained married for more than 30 years, and to Romania.

Why do we remember her in such a manner and not, say her associates?

Over the next few blogs, I'll be going through some of the associates of the Countess of Transylvania, and Queen Maria.

I stand Corrected On Queen Maria

When I took over writing this blog, I never expected to learn this much about Transylvania.

I also never expected that people would help about smaller things. Thanks to everyone.

Great job on the castle in Bran. I double checked, and sure enough you are correct. Now I'll need to write a bit on Teutonic knights so that I write about those topics. Along with going over the lives of the Countess of Transylvania's associates, which will be later today.

For the next bit, feel free to comment about anything on this blog, as The more the merrier. As for Queen Maria, she was beyond instrumental in created much of what is Romania today.

For a great book about her you can find Born To Rule. by Julia P. Gelardi, this gives a outline of the lives of Queens Maud of Norway, Sofia of Greece, Alexandra of Russia, Victoria Eugenia of Spain and of course Maria of Romania... they were all Granddaughters of Queen Victoria.

The delving into The Countess of Transylvania

Yes everyone, I have been ask many times, about delving into the life of the Countess of Transylvania's servants and companions.

the answer is YES!

I am looking through all my notes to make sure that they are as close to correct as I can get them. Sometime this week.

Transylvania And Queen Marie Of Romania

Queen Marie loved Transylvania, she had built a palace there for her own use and spent as much time as she could there.

It was she would gained Transylvania and the Banat region from Hungary after the end of the First World War. Always helps to be an engaging personality. She charmed everyone she knew, well almost. President Wilson being the notable exception, though a stroke might have been the cause of that.

Queen Maria was a dynamic person and Queen Victoria's granddaughter, through her second son. had it not been for her mother, Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, Queen Maria of Romania would have been Queen Marie of the United Kingdom.

What about her son King Carol II?

Queen and Kings of Transylvania

I think I got many people there.

Transylvania had in fact three Kings and two Queens.

Queen Maria and King Ferdinand of Romania and King Carol II and King Michael his queen ( though not crowned in Romania) Queen Anne.

The first King Of Romania Carol I and his wife Queen Elizabeth did not gain Transylvania in their lifetime. The territory only increased after the First World War and by this time King Carol I had died, as did his wife.

The other person in this picture is Queen Mother Helen, King Michael's mother. She was never Queen as she and King Carol II divorced before he gained the throne of Romania. She did acquire the title of Queen Mother, after her son came to the throne at the age of five.

What about Queen Maria?

One Queen of Romania and A Queen Mother

Who was a Queen of Romania?  There were three queens of Romania.  This is hard for many people since one of them became Queen of Greater Romania.  She is the most famous of the three.  There is also one more and she is not by Romania's view the Queen of Romania.

These women lead different lives, and yet two of them could be divided by war in the  end.  The next would never become Queen, rather she was given the title of Queen mother by her son the King.  She would be honored by many for her work in the Second World War.

The last is queen because of her husband.

The last is of course the wife of Michael I of Romania, who is the current pretender to the Romanian throne.


Can you tell me?

I'll give you the answers later today!

Transylvania Follower?

Are you ready to be a follower of this blog? I'd love to see you!

So in what sense do you find Transylvania so interesting?

The Land, The People, The Legends.

For me it is the people. and legends as well, but the people hold more of a draw for my own history minded person.

Some famous people with ties to Transylvania include: Queen Maria of Romania, Kings Carol II, King Ferdinand and King Michael. Emperor and King of Hungary Franz Joesph and Karl.

Who else should be included in that list? Vlad Tepes, Prince of Wallchia, or the Countess of Transylvania?

Transylvania and Myths

I suspect everyone is waiting for me to get around to talking about my views on myths.

I do like a good myth now and again. I also enjoy getting the facts. Somewhere in all of the myths there must be a fact or two wandering about. this I am sure of, take for example, the Countess of Transylvania.

One might argue that she was a true vampire... to an extent. She was human though and died walled up in her castle three years after her imprisonment for killing girls. These were girls of noble birth. before it was peasant girls but no one paid much heed.

Oops.

In the end, she had a link with Vlad, the dragon crest and Castle Fagaras. Also some relatives, Prince Steven Bathory.

Transylvania and Saxons

Where is the group know as the Tranyslvanian Saxons?

If you guessed that they don't live in Transylvania anymore, you would be partly correct. They have a small minority, about 1% left in Transylvania.

The rest are spread across the globe, Many living in Austria and Germany, some in the United States and Canada.

What is their most important cultural gift to Transylvania?

The fortified church and cities. Go and visit them some time.

Transylvania and Dracula

I am always in awe about written records.

I looked things over on wikipedia, and I really shouldn't have mentioned anything to anyone about that, but it is important to note the link that there is with the Saxons of Transylvania and Dracula.

There are, supposedly, written records of what Dracula did to the German merchants in Transylvania. According to some of my irate Transylvanian Saxon friends, there are no such written records and they had in fact never really heard about Dracula as we have in the West.

I wonder what the Hungarians thought of it all. I'm not sure, but it might be worth a search. Anyone know of a good site?

So, Vlad Tepes Dracul, did live in Transylvania, that much my friends admit to but nothing else, people don't talk about him...

Then what about werewolves? well.. that is another story.