Satu Mare

History

Part of the voivodate ruled by Menumorut in the 10th century, the city was a fortress, was mentioned in the Hungarian Anonymous Chronicle (as the name "Castrum Zotmare"). In the area of the fortress, teutones settled in 1006 and then German colonists setteled in the Mintiu town, across the Somes river.

After 1543 the fortress was owned by the Bathory family and is reinforcead and a moat is built around it. Under the siege of the 1562 by the Ottomans, then of the Habsburgs, it was destroyed, to be reconstructed by the Austrian Lazar Schwendi, sing the Italian fortification technics.

In 1721, it was unified with Mintiu and it became a "royal free city" and the city prospered as an important trade and craftsmanship center.

In the 18th century much of the city was rebuilt and among the landmarks are the old City Hall, the inn and several churches.