Brașov (Hungarian: Brassó, German: Kronstadt) is one of the most important cities in Transylvania, located at the foot of the Southern Carpathians, in the region of Țara Bârsei (Burzenland). The city was founded in the 13th century by Saxon settlers, who were invited by the Hungarian Kingdom to strengthen border defenses and develop trade.

During the Middle Ages, Brașov developed rapidly and became a major commercial hub of Transylvania. Its defensive system—walls, towers, and bastions—was among the strongest in the region and successfully protected the city from Tatar and Ottoman attacks. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Brașov flourished as one of the wealthiest free royal cities of Transylvania, dominated by craft guilds and trade.

With the Reformation, most of the Saxon population adopted the Lutheran faith, and a strong Evangelical community took shape. At the same time, Romanian and Hungarian communities were also significant in the surrounding villages, making Brașov a historically multicultural city.

In the 19th century, Brașov’s industrialization gained momentum, and the construction of the railway gave a strong boost to its economy. In the 20th century, particularly during the communist period, the city became a major industrial center. Today, Brașov is one of Romania’s most dynamically developing cities, serving as an industrial, cultural, and tourist hub.