Saxon colony
Biertan City or Birthälm in German, is one of the oldest Transylvanian Saxon colonies. It is first mentioned in a document on taxes that Catholic priests demanded from the Saxons, in the region of Alba Iulia. From the 14th century, Biertan is mentioned as an administrative district. In 1418, the city received the honour of having a weekly market, which attracts business from across the region. This lasted until after World War II. Until after the Romanian national unity, it was pretty difficult for the government to withdraw some of the special rights the Saxons had at the time. They are among some of the richest people in the country, as they own land that the king of Hungary gave them in exchange for the region's help defending Hungary against invaders.
