Transylvanian Saxons (German: Siebenbürger Sachsen; Romanian: Saşi) are a population of German origin that were settled in the south and north-east of Transylvania starting with the 12th century.

Colonization of Saxons in Transylvania was began by the king Géza II of Hungary (1141-1162) for military reasons. For decades, the main task of the German settlers was to defend the Southern border of the Hungarian Kingdom. The colonization continued until the end of the 13th century. The first colonists - Germans, Wallons, Flandres and even some French had their origin between the Rin and Mosel rivers.

An important role in the colonization of Southern Transylvania was played by the Order of Teuton Knights, the Cistercian Abbeys of Igriş of Banat and Cârţa of Făgăraş.

The territory that was colonized with Germans covered an area of about 30.000 km². The rights and obligations of the German colonists were included in the Andreanum act (in German: Goldener Freibrief der Siebebürger Sachsen) of 1224, emited by the king Andrew II of Hungary.

In this document the German population of the territory between Drăuşeni and Orăştie were confirmed the administrative and religious autonomy as well as the obligations toward the kings of Hungary.

The territories of Saxons were organized in the Sibiu county or the Sibiu Province. Then, in the former half of the 14th century during the rule of Charles Robert of Anjou, probably 1325-1329, the Saxons were organized in the Saxon Chairs.

The earliest religious organization of the Saxons was the prepositure of Sibiu, founded 20 December 1191. In its early years, it included the teritories of Sibiu, Nocrich and Cincu, the areas that were colonized the earliest.

Population

• 1910: 800,000
• 1956: 384,708
• 1977: 359,109
• 1992: 111,301

ro:Saşi de:Siebenbürger Sachsen