Transylvania

Sources from old books

1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator.

TRANSYLVANIA, OR SIEBENBVRGEN. (Book Transylvania) TRANSYLVANIA is the mediterranean part of ancient d 1.1 Dacia, which the Romans called Dacia Ripensis,* 1.2 and it taketh its name from the woods and mountaines wherewith it is encompassed, as the Hercynian woods, and the Carpathian hils. It is called commonly e 1.3Septem castra, by a name borrowed from the German word Siebenburgen, and the Hungarians call it Herdel. On the West it is bounded with Pannonia, on the North with Polonia, on the South with Walachia, and on the East with Moldavia. Transylvania is very fruitfull, & hath great plenty of corne through the whole Countrie, which (besides daily experience) that coyne of Trajans doth witnesse, in which Ceres stood, holding in her right hand the horne of the goate Amalthaea, which signifieth plenty; and in her left hand a Table, with this inscription or motto Abundantia Daciae. i. the abundance of Dacia.* 1.4 It bringeth forth excellent wine about Alba Iulia, Deva, Egmedine, Birthilbine, and Fenuscine, It hath also great store of fruite, among which (to omit the rest) it hath most excellent Damaske Prunes, Quinces, sweet Cherries, which may be compar'd with those that grow in Italie, and Mellons. Heere are also excellent choyse hearbs, which grow in every place, as Rhubarbe, the greater Centory, Gentiana with a yellow and purple flowre, Sea-wormewood, the herbe called Libanotis, saffron, and many others. There are many famous Mynes of Mettall in this Country, as Mynes of Gold at Sculattin, which the Hungarians call Zalakna, and at Rimili Dominurdz, which signifies the River or Rivulet of Lords. In these places great wedges or pieces of gold are cut forth, which as soone as they are digged out they can presently make use of without any accurate refining. The Roman pieces of golden coyne which are oft digged up in these places, doe witnesse this plentie, for they have on the one side the image of a man with a broade hat, and with this inscription on it C. Cato, and on the other side, Dacia in the forme of a Goddesse, holding a Booke in her right hand with this inscription AVR: PVR. Moreover, there are silver Mynes at Offera and Radna Copper is digged out of the same Mountaines, out of which the gold and silver commeth. Steele is digged and found at Cyk, Iron at Thorosco, and Vaidahuntada: and lastly Sulphure and Antimonie are found in the Copper Mynes. There is such great store of saltpits in Transylvania, that it sendeth abundance of salt to other Countries. And there is such a great company of Oxen in it,* 1.5 that the largest and fairest ones are often sold for a Floren. What shall I speake of the excellent metall'd horses which it breedeth, which amble and pace naturally? What should I mention the divers kindes of Birdes? as Eagles, Faulcones, Pheasants, Partridges, Peacocks, Woodcocks, Snipes. And what should I reckon the water-fowle? as Swans, Bustards and Bitternes, &c. I passe from these to the wilde beasts: for this Countrie hath great Forrests, and spacious woods, in which are Beares, Buffes or wilde Oxen, Elkes, Harts of a large stature, Leopards, Martins, Does, and white Hares. Divers Nations heretofore inhabited this Countrie, of whom there is yet a remnant in Hungaria, as the •azyges, called by Pliny Metanastae, beside the Getes, Bastarnians, Sarmatians, Grecians, Romans, Scythians, Saxons, and Hungarians. The Romans did conquer it, when the Emperour Trajan overcame Decebalus King of Dacia, and reduced it into the forme of a Province, calling the Citie Zarmizegethusa after his owne name Vlpia Trajana;* 1.6 but Galienus lost it two hundred yeares after, and from that time the Inhabitants having laid aside the Roman humanitie, speech, and eloquence, began to resume their former wildenesse and barbarisme, calling themselves Walachians. After the Romans, the Scythians under the conduct of their Captaine Artilas seated themselves in this place, and built seven free Townes. The Saxons succeeded the Scythians in the time of Charles the great, who forsaking their Countrie, seated themselves likewise in these parts, & built themselves seven free Cities, following the example of the Scythians. The Hungarians came last, who partly allured with the vicinity and neernesse of the place, mingled themselves with the Dacians: and afterward being provoked by injuries, they conquered the whole countrey, in the reigne of Stephen King of Pannonia, whom they stiled the holy. By them some Townes were also built. The mountainous part of Transylvania was lately subdued by Matthias Huniades, whose surname was Corvinus, and afterward by Stephen King of Hungary. This Matthias tooke alive one Dracula, a Vaivode or Prince of the mountainous Transylvania, a man of unheard of cruelty, and after ten yeares imprisonment, restored him to his former place. Transylvania is now divided into three Nations, differing both in manners and lawes, and inhabiting severall parts of the Countrie: namely into the Saxons, the Ciculi, and Hungarians: The Saxon Transylvanians, as all other German Nations, have a peculiar dialect or language unto themselves: they inhabite the strongest cities and castles, and doe excell the other Nations. They have seven Seates, namely Zarwaria, Zabesia, Millenbach, Rensmarke, Segesburg or S•hesburg, Ollezna, Schenkerstall, and Reps: all which have some villages under them. The Ciculi neere to Moldavia, being descended from the Scythians, doe live after their owne lawes and customes, and doe distribute their offices by lot. They are divided into seven Regions, which they call Seates, the names whereof are, Sepsi, Orbai, Kysdi, Czyk, Gyrgio, Marcus Zeek, and Aranyas Zeek. The Hungarians and Transylvanian Nobles being mingled with the Saxons, and the Ciculi doe, for the most part, agree with them both in speech, habite, and armour. All Transylvania is able to set forth ninety thousand armed men and more. There are seven chief Cities in Transylvania, having a reasonable distance one from an other,* 1.7 among which Cibinium is the Metropolis or Mother-citie, & is now called Hermanstat: It is seated on a plaine, not shut up with mountaines, but spread into a great breadth. It is not much lesse than Vienna in Austria, but it is farre stronger both by Art and Nature: for in regard of the many Fish-ponds and Lakes round about it, no Armie can come unto it 2, * 1.8 Brasso or Corona, which the Germans call Cronstat, and is somtimes called Stephanopolis, being seated amongst pleasant mountaines, and fortified with Wals, Ditches, and Rampiers. Heere is a famous Universitie and Librarie. 3, Bistricia or Noesenstat, which is seated on the plaine of a large valley, and hath on either side hils full of Vines. 4, Segoswar o• S•hespurg, which is partly situated on a hill, and partly at the foote thereof. 5,h 1.9 Megies or M•dwisch, which is situated in the midst of Transylvania, being fruitfull in wine, and stored with all commodities that are either gainefull or necessary for food. 6, i 1.10 Zabesium or Zaaz, which lyeth in a plaine and deepe valley, encompassed with waters full of fish. They say that this was the first seate of the Saxons 7,k 1.11 Coloswar or Clausenburg, which is likewise sweetly seated in a plaine, and is beautified not onely with faire wals without, but with stately buildings within. Heere is also Alba Iulia or We•senberg, an ancient city, & a Bishops Seate, it is situated on a steep hill, which hath a large plaine spreading it selfe round about it. It hath on the East the River M•••, and on the other side the River called in the Hungarian language •••ay, which descendeth from the Alpes. Heeretofore it was called T•••, and in Trajans time it was the Pallace of King Decebalus. As tou•ching the payments of taxes and tributes, there are in Transylvania eight principall circles or divisions of ground called Chapters, all which together they call the Universitie, as first the Bist••ensian Chapter, which hath in it Bistricia with 23 royall Townes. 2, The Regne•sian Chapter, which hath more than 30 Townes. 3, The Bar•ensian Chapter, which hath the citie Corona, with thirteene royall Townes. 4, The Kisde•sian Chapter, which hath Segesburg, and eight and fortie townes. 5, The Chapter called the chapter of two Seates, which doth containe the city of M••ie• with sixe and thirtie townes. There are two Chapters of the Cibinian•, one of which containeth Cibinium, and three and twenty townes, and the other which they call Surrogative, containe about 22 Villages. Last of all, the Zabesensian Chapter, which hath Zabesium with seventeene Villages. This Countrie hath many Lakes and standing waters,* 1.12 which are full of excellent fish. There are in it three navigable Rivers, l 1.13 Aluta, Morus, called also Marus and Marisus) and Samu•: the two former arising out of the Scythian Mountaines, the last of them falleth into Tibiscus, the other runneth straight forward into Danubius▪ Samus (which the Germans and Hungarians call Thimes) ariseth out of the Alpes called Colota, and likewise slideth into Tibiscus. There are also •ther Rivers, as Kockel the Greater and the Lesse, Sabesus, Chrysus, Chry••••os, and Strygius, &c. the three last whereof have little graines or land of gold in them, and doe somtimes bring downe pieces of gold of halfe a pound weight. Divers kindes of excellent fish are found in them, and the aforesaid Rivers, as namely the greater and lesser Sturgeon, three kindes of Carpes, the Salmon, the River and Lake-Lamprey, the fish called Silurus, the Mullet, an other rare kind of Lamprey, the white and black Trout, the scaly Gudgeons, and those that have no scales, unknowne to other places: besides Pikes, Perches, Tenches, and the common Lamprey, all which are found there and of a great size. There are Mountaines neere unto Walachia Cisalpina and Moldavia, which doe produce Agarick and Turpentine Trees.* 1.14 There are many woods in Transylvania, and amongst the rest Hercynia, in which besides the wilde beasts above-mentioned, there are wilde Oxen and Horses, whose manes doe reach even to the ground.* 1.15 There are also in this Countrie many Castles well fortified: among which the chiefe is called the Red Castle, being a strong defence, and seated on the Alpes, neere to a running streame, where there is a straight passage betweene the Mountaines into the Countrie, and it is, as it were, the fortresse thereof, so that no one can enter into it on that side, if the Governour of the castle barre up the way. There is also an other fortified castle beneath the Towne Millenbach neere unto the Towne Bros, where also neere unto the River, there is a way leading into Transylvania betweene the vales and snowie Alpes. Now it followeth that wee should adde somthing concerning their manners which are divers and various, because (as we said before) it was formerly possessed by divers Nations, and is still at this day. The people of Walachia are rude,* 1.16 and ignorant of good Arts and Disciplines, they are of the Greeke Religion, but their manners and customes savour of Paganisme, in regard that they much esteeme of Oracles, sweare by Iupiter and Venus whom they call Holy, and in many other things come neere unto the customes of the Gentiles. They have no Townes, or brick-houses, but doe live in the woods and forrests, having no defence against the violence of the weather but a few reedes, or cottages of reedes. The other part of Transylvania in most places is of a more fruitfull soyle, and the people are more civiliz'd, and of a better behaviour. The Scythians speech in Transylvania differs little from the Hungarian speech at this day, though heretofore they differr'd much both in speech and writing, for they (like the Hebrewes) did begin to write from the right hand to the left. The Ciculi are a fierie and warlike kinde of people, among whom there are no Nobles or Rusticks, but all of them are of one ranke. The Hungarians have great power and authoritie above all the rest. And let so much suffice to have beene spoken briefly concerning Transylvania.

1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval.

Transilvania is so called because it is seated beyond the Woods which separate it from Hungary. It is sometimes called Sevenburgen, because of the Cities which the Saxons built therein, to the number of seven; Hermanstat, Cronstat, Nosenstat, Medwish, Scespurg, Clausembourg, Weissembourg. The People of this State are of three sorts, Cicules or Zeckels, Saxons, Hungarians, who give each different Names to each City of the Countrey. The Zeckels are come from Tartary, or rather are the remains of the Huns, who laid aside their Name, that they might not be odious to their Neighbours. They have setled themselves principally in seven places, at Sepsi, at Orbay, at Kisdi, at Czick, at Girgio, at Marcos, at Aranias; their Capital City is Newmark. The Saxons are Originaries of Germany; the Hungarians stile themselves the Nobles of the Country. Hermanstad, the residence of the Prince, is a strong Town. Waradin was fortifyed by the Turks, who usurped it in the year 1660. One of the Principal Revenues of Transilvania consists in Salt, which is principally got at Torda; it is sent into Hungary by the River of Marish. There be Mines of Gold and Silver, and sometimes Pieces of pure Gold are found in the Rivers, which weigh above half a pound. So as the Hungarians being Masters of Transilvania, called it their Treasure. There be several sorts of Religion: the Catholicks, Lutherans, Calvinists, have had there the free exercise of theirs, towards the beginning of this Age. The Families of Bathori and of Ragotski have bestowed several Princes upon this Countrey, which was made a Soveraignty in the year 1512. for John Zapolia, upon condition of holding of Hungary. The last Ragotski, who was killed in Battel against the Turks in the year 1659. was the fourteenth Prince thereof, he stiled himself, By the Grace of God Prince of the Kingdom of Transilvania, Lord of a part of Hungary, and Count of the Siculi. He paid the Grand Seignior annually a Tribute of fifty thousand Livers; the Ministers of the Port have made it mount to a hundred thousand Rixdollers. The Emperour, as King of Hungary pretends to have right to the installation of the Prince of Transilvania; the Emperour Rodolphus II. having establisht there Botskai, upon condition of Return upon the Males failing.

1695. Thesaurus geographicus a new body of geography by Abel Swall and Tim. Child.

TRANSYLVANIA, Transylvania, called Erdely by the Hungarians, and Siebenburgen by the Germans, derives both its Latin and Hungarian Names from Woods and Forests, with which it is encompassed, almost on all Sides; but the High-Dutch Denomination hath a different Original of much later Date, taken from the 7 chief Towns in this Principality, and alluding to the manner of Living of the ancient Pannonians, who having fixed their Tents in those Parts, for the more ready suppressing of any Insurrection that might be raised against them by the Natives, were wont to keep in distinct Bodies, and accordingly divided themselves into 7 Bands or Regiments, every one of which contain'd 3857 able Soldiers. Thus being encamped in several quarters of Transylvania, they made Entrenchments round about, and for their better Security built a Fortress or Castle at every Camp, which first occasioned the alteration of the Name of this Country; Siebenburgen in the German Tongue, properly denoting 7 Forts or Towns. It was heretofore added to the Roman Empire under the Name of Dacia, by the Emperor Trajan, and contained in compass about 1000 Italian miles, according to the Report of Eutropius and Jornandes; but at present nothing more is comprehended under the Name of Transylvania than only a part of the Old Walachia, lying in Form of a Rhomb or Lozenge, and being bounded on the North by Poland, on the South by Walachia proper, and part of Hungary, on the East by Moldavia, and part of the same Walachia, and on the West by the Upper Hungary: It's extent from North to South, consisting of about 50 Leagues and 68 from East to West. The Air is altogether as temperate here as in any part of Hungary, and not so much corrupted with Infectious Vapors, altho' the Waters are Unwholsom, by reason that they pass through Mines of Alum and Mercury. The Country (as the Name imports) is every where environ'd with Forests, growing for the most Part on the Sides of high Hills and Mountains. The chief of these is Mount Carpathus, nam'd Crapack by the Transylvanians, and Biescid by the Russians, which runs along the South of the whole Principality, dividing it from the Russian Empire; and indeed the Inlands are almost as mountainous as the outermost Limits of these Territories, insomuch that one can hard hardly travel from one great Town to another, but by a Road, leading through a Wood, and over some rocky Hill. The highest inland Mountain stands near Fogaras, on the River Alt, its Top being inaccessible and always covered with Snow: However the Soil brings forth abundance of Corn, Pulse and delicious Fruits; affording likewise good Grapes, Hony and Wax, together with several Mines of Gold, Silver, Lead, Quick-silver and other Minerals. The chief Mines are at Sculatti and Rimili Dominurdtz, in the latter whereof the Miners have sometimes found large Lumps of Virgin-Gold, and sent them to the Mint without any further Purifying. The best Silver Mines are near Offera and Radna, where they have also good store of Copper, and accidentally light on a Vein of Gold. In the Copper-Mines they usually meet with Brimstone and Ising-Glass, as also plenty of Steel at Cyck, and of Iron at Thorosch and Huniad. Lastly, the County of Maromarus affords vast quantities of Stone-Salt, even so far as to supply the greater part of the neighbouring Nations with that Mineral. The Pasture Grounds yield Fodder to innumerable Herds of Cattle, more especially large Oxen, with which the Transylvanians, in Time of Peace, are so over-stock'd, that a fat Ox may be then bought there for 12 or 14 Shillings, and sold again for 50 or 60 Rix-Dollars in Austria. They have also a good Breed of stout and swift Horses, that are very much esteemed in Foreign Countries. The Forests abound with Buffles, Elks, Stags, and a sort of wild Horses that run incredibly swift, and have large Mains hanging down to the Ground, wild Boars, Foxes, Martins and other sorts of Game. The Hares are much larger here than in the Western Parts of Europe, and their Skins carry a far purer Furr. The Wolves and Bears in Altland, and other adjacent Counties, run often in Droves, viz. 30 or 40 together, and do much Mischief, during the Winter, among the Horses and other Cattle. There is no Nation in the World where Wheat grows more plentifully than in Transylvania, so that even the Peasants feed on no other sort of Bread, the Blade of this Grain being here usually as thick as an ordinary Reed, and shooting up to a great height. Their Wines are reckon'd much more noble than those of Walachia, the Windich Marquisate, Austria and Moravia, but far inferior to the Rhenish and Hungarian, having commonly a Tincture of Chalk or Sulphur; for which Reason it is reput'd a mighty promoter of the Gout and such like Distempers. The most remarkable Rivers are, the Marisk, the Alt, the Samos and the Chrysa: The 2 former of these spring forth out of the Scythian Carpethus; the Alt falls into the Danube, but the Marisch and Samos intermix their Waters with those of the Teisse.

The Principality of Transilvania is Inhabited by three sorts of People, that have different Laws and Customs, viz. The Ciculi, or Siculi, the Saxons and the Hungarians. Of these, the first lay claim to the greatest Antiquity, and are still govern'd by their old Laws and Constitutions, being really a branch of the ancient Scythians, who were driven out of Pannonia, by Attila and his Huns. They divide themselves into seven Cantons, every one of which is Absolute within it self: Tho all of them are united with the Transylvanians, and one with another for the defence of their Country against the Common Enemy. As for the Saxons (according to the Opinion of Toppeltine) they are the true Relicts of the ancient Daci; calling themselves even at this day Decen Desen, or Detschen, which is an easie Corruption of the Daci or Deci. The German Writers, especially those of the best Repute, acknowledge the whole German Nation (and consequently their Saxons) to be the Off-spring of the ancient Transylvanians. But whence soever their Original is deriv'd, they are certainly near of Kin to the Inhabitants of the Lower Saxony, and use the same Dialect, although the corruption of their Tongue, by a mixture with the Hungarian, renders the High-Dutch more difficult to be understood among them. Those Saxons possess the Province call'd the Seven Towns: The Siculi dwell on the Banks of the River Marisch; and the Hungarians retain to themselves the Frontiers of Walachia; the two latter are for the most part Calvinists, and the Saxons almost generally embrace the Doctrine of Luther, but none will allow any Pictures or Images to be set up in their Churches. There are also among them some Roman Catholicks, Greeks, Trinitarians, Photinians and Anabaptists, though their Party is not so considerable.

However, these three distinct Nations are govern'd by one Sovereign, stiled the Waywood, or Prince of Transylvania, whom the Grand Signior often caus'd to be Elected and Depos'd at his pleasure. But the power of the Turks hath of late been much diminish'd: The two Noble Families of Bathori and Ragotski, have supplied this Country with many Princes, who were oblig'd to send a certain Tribute to the Port, until Michael Abafti the 23d. Prince from John Huniades, who succeeded John Kermant, A. D. 1661, with the consent of the States of Transilvania, resign'd the whole Country to the Emperor of Germany and King of Hungary for ever, as it appears from the Act bearing Date at Harmanstadt, May 9th. 1688. Whereupon Imperial Garisons were accordingly receiv'd into all the principal Places. Afterward, the said Prince dying in 1690, the States in a general Assembly, resolv'd to adhere to the Interests of the Emperor and the young Prince Son to the Deceased, who was confirm'd by his Imperial Majesty against all the pretentions of Count Teckely and the Ottoman Port. Thus the Principality of Transylvania remains entirely Incorporated with the Crown of Hungary, under the Imperial Protection. Its chief Revenues arise from the sale of Salt, very great quantities whereof are made at Tarda, and convey'd from thence on the River Marisch, into Hungary.

HERMANSTADT, Hermanopolis, aut Cibinium, call'd ZEBEN by the Inhabitants, the Metropolis of Transylvania, and the Royal Seat of the Prince, stands in the middle of a large Plain, on the side of the Rivulet Ciben, which a little below falls into the Alt, being distant 15 German Miles from Coloswar or Clausenbug to the East, and 8 from Gula Feiruar, or Weissemburg, toward the Frontiers of Moldavia; as also 160 from Belgrade to the Northeast, and 235 from Buda almost to the East. It is a large and Fair City, bearing the title of an Episcopal See, under the Metropolitan of Colocza in Hungary, although at present destitute of a Bishop; neither is its Strength less considerable, the great number of Fish-ponds and Pools of Water rendring it inaccessible, besides its firm Walls and Ramparts. The Houses within the Gates are generally well-built and for the most part cover'd with Slate, which is esteem'd an extraordinary piece of Magnificence in the appartments of a Transylvanian Citizen. There are also many good Springs; and the River-water is convey'd by small Channels through every Street; nevertheless the Air is thought to be very Unhealthy and to cause the Gout, the epidemical Distemper of the Burghers, insomuch, that many of the best Houses want Inhabitants. Here are usually held the general Conventions and Courts of Judicature of the other six chief Towns of the Saxons, all Actions at Law being brought thither to Tryal. The principal Trade of the place consists in Cloath and Mead, both which are here made in great quantities and sent into the neighbouring Territories. The Princes of Transylvania were wont formerly to put themselves under the protection of the Grand Signior; but Prince Abafti at the sollicitation of the late Duke of Lorraine adher'd to the Emperor's Interest, and was prevail'd with to receive an Imperial Garison of 3000 Men into this City, A. D. 1687.

Having travelled about a German mile from Hermanstadt, we meet with Saltzburg, or Wizagna, that takes its name from the Salt-pits, which (as it hath been already intimated) bring yearly a very considerable Revenue into the Prince's Exchequer. Not far from hence appears Michelberg, a strong Fortress erected on the top of a Hill, wherein are laid up all the Arms and Military Amunition of the whole Territory of Hermanstadt: Two miles from this place stands Roche-Thurn, or the Red-Tower, so nam'd from the colour of the Free-stone with which it is built, where the Inhabitants are forc'd to keep a continual Watch and Ward, for fear of some sudden Invasion by the Turks, out of whose Dominions there lyes only a very narrow Road this way into Transylvania.

CRONSTADT or BRASSAW, Corona aut Stephanopolis and Brassovia, is pleasantly situated in the midst of fair and rich Vineyards, about 65 miles from Hermanstadt, almost to the North-east, near the Confines of Moldavia and the Carpathian Mountains. It is also taken by some Authors for the Praetoria Augusta of Ptolemy. However it is a Bishops See, and a place of some strength, as being tolerably well Fortified with Walls and Ramparts of Earth. The Houses are high and well-built, but generally cover'd with Laths instead of Slate. The Citizens are all Saxons, without the least mixture of Hungarians or Walachians; so that their peculiar Language is here spoken in its greatest Purity. A good School hath been Founded here for some time, besides a Library, that goes beyond any throughout the whole Kingdom of Hungary.

The Country round about Cronstadt, bears the name of Burzia, or Burzland, and is the outmost boundary of the Principality of Transylvania; which gave occasion to the Hungarian Proverb, That Burzia says Amen to the High-Dutch Paternoster: Meaning, that this Country is the last wherein the German Tongue is understood, the Sclavonian entring on the Frontiers of Walachia. Moreover, it may not be improper to observe here, that the Road from Altland and other parts of Transylvania, leads directly to Zeidenwald, a Forest extending for the space of three long Hungarian miles in length; during which unpleasant Passage, Travellers are carried over a continued Bridge or Causey of Planks, the Soil being for the most part Marshy and full of Boggs,

BISTRICZ, BESTERCZA, or BESTERIZA, Bistricia; sometimes also call'd NOSENSTADT by the Germans, is remarkable for its situation in a spacious Plain, on the Banks of a River of its own name. It is a Town of small extent, but very neat, and of so good Note, that many of the Hungarian Historiographers allow it the third place in the Catalogue of the Saxon Cities, giving it the preceedency to Segeswar and Megiez. The Burghers (as it is generally reported) speak as good Dutch here or better than at Cronstadt. But the Air and Water of the adjacent Country are both reputed very Unwholsome; so that the Inhabitants, especially the meaner sort, that drink Water, are very apt to be Deaf, Dumb, and altogether Unactive, This Town is distant about 80 miles from Hermanstadt to the North-west, as also 5 German miles from Burgles, and 15 from Weissemburg to the North-west.

MEGIEZ or MEDWESCH is seated in the very heart of Transylvania, on the Banks of the same River with Segeswar, in a Country well furnish'd with Wine and other rich Merchandizes. Indeed it is not very large, yet indifferently well fortify'd with a deep Ditch and an old Wall. But its greatest S•rength lies in the Church founded on the top of a Hill, according to the usual custom of the Inhabitants of those parts, who built their Churches Castle-wise, to avoid being put to a double Charge.

SCHESBƲRG, or SEGESWAR (as it is nam'd by the Hungarians) Segethusa, extends it self along the side of a Hill and the Banks of the River Cochel, at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, about 10 miles from Hermanstadt to the North, and 14 from Cronstadt to the West. As to its form, it very much resembles Buda, but falls far short of that City in its largeness and number of Inhabitants. It is divided into 2 parts, viz. the Upper and Lower, the former being built on a Hill and a place of great Strength; but the latter is not well defended, tho' more populous by reason of the convenience of Water for the use of the Burghers in carrying on their several Manufactures; more especially that of dressing their Cloth, whereas the other part of the Town is destitute of any Brook or Spring.

MILLEMBACH, or ZAASSEBES according to the Hungarian denomination, Zabesus aut Sabescus, is a Town of much Antiquity, but otherwise scarcely considerable, lying in a very hollow Valley, and Westward tolerably well secur'd with Bogs and moorish Grounds. But it may be easily attack'd on the other side, and is by no means a place of Strength.

CLAƲSENBƲRG, Claudiopolis, is situated on the Rivulet Samos near the foot of the Mountains towards the Borders of Hungary, at the distance of 9 German miles from Weissemburg to the North, as many from Bestercza or Bistricz, and 15 from Waradin to the East. It is a large populous Town, and the principal of a County of the same name, being fortify'd with an old Castle and other Bulwarks, so as to be capable of enduring a smart Siege. It is also a place of great Traffick and well frequented by reason that all the Conventions of the States of Transylvania and Provincial Courts of Justice are held therein by the Prince. It heretofore perhaps bore the name of Patruissa, but is at present call'd Coloswar by the Hungarians. However, the greatest part of the Towns-men are Arians and Photinians, insomuch that the other six Towns (where Lutheranism is generally profess'd) took an occasion to exclude Clausenburg out of the number of the seven States of Trans•lvanian-Saxons, and to admit Bross or Zasuaras into its room. Moreover, the Hungarians may be made free of this Town, and are allow'd to bear Offices therein; a Privilege never granted them in any other Saxon City.

There are divers other small Towns and Burghs in Transylvania entirely inhabited by the Saxons, but all of them by some means or other, depend on the seven preceeding.

The chief Towns in Transylvania inhabited by the Hungarians, Walachians, Siculi, &c.

WEISSEMBƲRG, Alba Julia, call'd by the Hungarians Giula Fejerwar, is conveniently situated on a rising Ground, from whence, almost 2 English miles round about, one may take a most delightful Prospect of a champian and fruitful Country. It is water'd with the gentle Streams of the River Marisch, and was in time past much larger than it is at present; as may still be discern'd from its old Boundaries without the Walls, containing 5 German miles in compass. And indeed it continu'd for a long time the Metropolis of Dacia, being honour'd with the royal Palace and constant Residence of the Monarchs of that Kingdom. It was also formerly a Bishop's See under the Metropolitan of Colocza, but that Dignity was transferr'd elsewhere by Queen Isabel, the Relict of John I. King of Hungary. In this City are often found many Roman Medals, Coins and Inscriptions, manifest Signs of its Antiquity; being distant 34 miles from Hermanstadt to the West, 68 from Temeswar to the North-east, 90 from Waradin to the East, and 196 from Buda.

THORDA is suppos'd to stand in or near the same place with the Salinae of Ptolemy, which Town took its name from the great number of Salt-pits in the adjacent Territory.

DEVA, a Town chiefly noted for affording a sort of excellent Wine and guarding the Passage through the Eysenthor, into the Turkish Dominions. It was taken after a small Resistance by Michael Abafti late Prince of Transylvania, during the Wars maintain'd by him against his Competitor Kemeni Janos, A. D. 1662.

ENGƲEDINE, call'd Annium by the Romans, from a Causey leading towards it, which one Annius a Captain of one of their Cohorts had caus'd to be rais'd. Some Fragments of this ancient military way are as yet to be seen, besides other Monuments of Antiquity often found in and about this Town.

NEWMARK, Nova Marchia, or WASERHELY according to the Hungarian denomination, is seated on the River Marisch at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, 36 miles from Clausemburg or Coloswar to the North-east. In this Town the general Assemblies of the Siculi, are usually conven'd at certain appointed times.

AGNABAT or AGNETLIN, is one of the chief Towns of Transylvania, tho' of little Strength, and water'd by the River Herbach, 25 miles from Hermanstadt almost to the North. Queen Isabel assembled a Diet there for the preservation of her Son, but Marvinsius caus'd it to be dissolv'd, and levy'd War against his Sovereign Prince, the end of which prov'd fatal to both.