szászok

Szászok is the Hungarian term for the Saxons, the German-speaking population that historically lived in the Kingdom of Hungary, most notably in Transylvania (Siebenbürgen). They are part of the broader German diaspora in Central Europe. The settlement of German-speaking colonists in eastern Hungary began in the 12th and 13th centuries, invited by the crown to defend frontiers, develop towns, and boost mining and crafts.

In Transylvania the Szászok established a network of autonomous urban communities supported by privileges and local legal frameworks often associated with Saxon law. They founded and fortified many towns, such as Kronstadt (Brașov), Hermannstadt (Sibiu), and Medgyes (Medias), among others, contributing to the region’s economic and cultural development. The Saxons organized strong guilds, built fortifications and churches, and shaped urban planning in the area.

Culturally, the Szászok developed a distinct German-speaking community within Transylvania, maintaining religious congregations of Lutheran and Catholic faiths and a tradition of school and administration in German and Latin. Their language and customs persisted for centuries alongside Hungarian and Romanian influences, leaving a lasting architectural and cultural imprint through fortified churches, town centers, and guild traditions.

In the 20th century, political and demographic changes led to significant emigration, especially after World War II and during the late 20th century, with many Szászok moving to Germany and Austria. Today the term Szászok is primarily used in historical and cultural contexts to refer to this German-speaking Saxon heritage in Transylvania and, more broadly, to German-speaking communities associated with medieval Hungary.