Volksdeutsche in Romania


Figure 1.--These Volksdeutsche (Banater Schwaben) school children were probably photographed in the 1960s. The school was located at Wolfsberg in what is now Romania. They are preparing to perform a folk dance. The girls appear to be weating folk costumes while the boys wear regular dress up clothes. Image courtesy of Gerd Ballas. Click on the image to see his website on the Banater Schwaben.

There are two groups of Volksdeutsche in Romania: 1) the Banater Schwaben and 2) the Transylvania Saxons. Most of the Banat region in the Southwest corner of Romania. Transylvania is in the center of the country. Both areas used to be Hungarian. Part of the Banat still is Hungarian and a small section even Serbian (north of Belgrade). The Saxons of Transsylvania in Romania settled that area in the 12th century. These Germans in the 15th century fell under the rule of the Ottoman Turks. Germans moved into the area between the rivers Maros (Miersch) (North) Theiß (West) Danube (South) and in the south east bordered by the south capartian mountains. It's about the size as Belgium and the soil is very fertile. There're also important natural resources suach as coal and gold as well as other kinds of products. The area came under the conrol of Austria in 1718 and was first settled by General Mercy. During the reign of Austrian Emperor Karl VI settlement was encouraged (especially during 1722-1726), Germans began moving into the area. Nearly all the Swabians were Catholics. The Saxons on the other hand were Protestant. The Saxons of Transsylvania in Romania settled that area in the 12th century. These Germans in the 15th century fell under the rule of the Ottoman Turks. Germans moved into the area between the rivers Maros (Miersch) (North) Theiß (West) Danube (South) and in the south east bordered by the south capartian mountains. It's about the size as Belgium and the soil is very fertile. There're also important natural resources suach as coal and gold as well as other kinds of products. The area came under the conrol of Austria in 1718 and was first settled by General Mercy. During the reign of Austrian Emperor Karl VI settlement was encouraged (especially during 1722-26), Germans began moving into the area. Some of the first Germans were Austrain administrators, clerks, tailors, merchantmen and most of all farmers from Lorraine, Palatinate and the Black Forest in the area. Emperess Maria Theresia gave considerable support to promoting German settlement (especially during 1766-70) as did other Austrian emperors. Many but not all Germans were expelled after World War II. Of the 500.000 Saxons in Rimania, about 100.000 still remain in Transsylvania (settled in the 13th century).

Banter Schwaben

All German-speaking people in Hungary and Yugoslavia were called Donau Schwaben (Danube Swabians). Swabians was just another name for Germans. Bantar is the area that this group of Germans settled. The area now known as the Banat came under the control of Austria in 1718 and was first settled by General Mercy. During the reign of Austrian Emperor Karl VI settlement was encouraged (especially during 1722-1726), Germans began moving into the area. They became known as the "Banater Schwaben". Some of the first Germans were Austrain administrators, clerks, tailors, merchantmen and most of all farmers from Lorraine, Palatinate and the Black Forest in the area. Most of the Banat region in the Southwest corner of Romania. Germans moved into the Banat area between the rivers Maros (Miersch) (North) Theiß (West) Danube (South) and in the south east bordered by the south capartian mountains. The area is about the size as Belgium and the soil is very fertile. Neary all the Swabians were Catholics. Franz Liszt is perhaps the best known Banter Schwaben. Before World War I, about 1.5 million people lived in the Banat: 30 percent Germans, 37 percent Romanians, the rest being Magyars (Hungarians), Serbs, and Bulgarians. The area used to be Hungarian. Part of the Banat still is Hungarian and a small section even Serbian (north of Belgrade).

Transylvania Saxons

The Transylvania Saxons are the largest group of Volksdeutsche in Romania. Transylvania used to be Hungarian. It is now the central area of Romania. Transylvania was part of ancient Dacia. After numerous wars and invasions, the Hungarain crown claimed Transylvania (11th century). The Saxons of Transsylvania settled in Transylvania (12th century). They were invited to settle in Transylvania by the Hungarian king Geza II. They founded the cities Kronstadt (now Brasov), Hermannstadt (Sibiu) and Schäßburg (Sighisoara). The Teutonic Knights (1211) built 7 castles, hence the name Siebenbürgen in German. The German colonists were granted all kind of privileges. When the Reformation came, Saxony became largeky Protestant. About 90 percent of the Saxons in Transylvania also became Lutherans (16th century). Under Governer Samuel von Brukenthal (1721-1803) Transylvania became quite prosperous. The Saxons in Translvania were part of the reason. At the end of the 19th century, about 10 percent of the population was Saxon. Famous Saxons were Stephan Ludwig Roth, a writer who was executed by the Hungarians in 1849, Hermann Oberth, a rocket scientist and Johnny Weissmüller, who played Tarzan in American movies. Transylvania was an intensely contested region in the 20th century. The region has a Romanian Catholic majority with large Hungarian and German minorities, mostly Protestant. Of the 800.000 in 1939, perhaps only 100.000 Saxons remained. There all still several German organisations left in Transylvania, but the future looks bleak. Only the very old towns ( mentioned above) bear witness of a unique and illustrious history and culture. However, many buildings are extremely neglected and ready to collapse.

Bessarabian Germans

Romania which fought with the Allies in World war I, joined the Axis in World war II. We only have limited information at this time on how the the Volkdeutsche fared during World War II. We know that the Volkdeutsche in Bessarabia left when the Soviets seized the province from Romania (July 1940). The NAZIs encouraged the Volkdeutsche who had resided there for centuries to leave rather than stay under Soviet rule. Once safely acroos the River Prut, however, the Volkdeutsche were not allowed to resettle, but rather confined in camps. I'm not sure what happened to them after the NAIs invaded the Soviet Union. Presumably many tried to return to their former homes.






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Created: July 18, 2002
Last updated: 4:27 AM 7/8/2005