Târgu Mureș (Hungarian: Marosvásárhely, German: Neumarkt am Mieresch) is one of the most important cities of Transylvania, located on the banks of the Mureș River, at the meeting point of Székely Land and the Transylvanian Plain. The town was first mentioned in the 14th century, its name deriving from the weekly markets that were traditionally held there.

In the 15th–16th centuries, Târgu Mureș developed rapidly thanks to crafts and trade. During the Reformation, the city became an important intellectual center, home to the famous Reformed College, which played a key role in the education of the Székely elite.

In the 17th century, the city suffered from Tatar and Ottoman raids, but its political role also grew: it became a meeting place for the Székely assemblies and, for a time, even served as the capital of Transylvania. In the 18th–19th centuries, Târgu Mureș became one of the cultural and legal centers of Transylvania, housing the Royal Table, the highest court of law in the region.

The 20th century brought industrialization, new neighborhoods, and railway connections that integrated the city into the national economy. Today, Târgu Mureș is a modern city that preserves its Hungarian cultural heritage while also functioning as a Romanian regional center.