This hub deals primarily with one member of the extended British Royal and Russian Imperial Family: Queen Maria of Romania. The City is Alba Iulia (Romanian), Erdel Belgradi (Turkish), Gyulafehérvár (Hungarian) and Karlsburg/Weißenburg (German). For some reason when I think of Transylvania I associate this city with Queen Maria.

For a time this city was the seat of the Principality of Transylvania. It is historically significant for the Romanian and Hungarian population of Romania. It is one of the most beautiful cities that can trace it history back to the Romans. Ptolemy even mentions this area, possibly this city in his writings, but under a different name. Some of the ruins in the area date back to the Romans as well, and one of the ancient fortresses I can imagine being home to the Roman and Dacian legions

Michael the Brave united Transylvania in 1600 to Wallachia and to Moldova, thus for a time, the three areas of the future Romania were under one ruler. Hungary would use this city as its seat of power, in Transylvania.

My most fondest historical fact I can only imagine. It is the year 1918, and the First World War had ended, The people from the area meet in this city to discuss the fate of Transylvania. The Saxons, the Romanians, and other minorities of Transylvania met there to discuss and eventually agree to unification with Romania.  I say this because it must have been one amazing site, the horses, the people, the speeches, the declaration.

This would happen in 1919. A new church was built called the church of the Reunification. There King Ferdinand and Queen Maria of Romania were crowned as ruler of Greater Romania. This was in recognition of Michael the Brave.  For many of the peoples of Transylvania the crowning in the area, promised a new beginning for the city.  It would be another historical event that the city had in its history.  I am certain that Queen Maria did this for a purpose, to prove to the people of Transylvania that the Romanian royalty was a part of their lives.

She also had several castles in Transylvania, but by having the crowning in Alba Iluia was a wise decision.  I believe though she was a wise person who knew how significant to the people of Greater Romania this would be.  The first time in hundreds of years that Transylvania was a part of Wallachia and Moldovia, part of Greater Romania.

Another person who influenced and gave his name to the city was Charles Holy Roman Emperor. In the German it is called Karlsburg in honour of him. He was not the most influential of the people but he did give his name to the city.  In fact it is likely that he didn't even see the city named in his honour.

I want to see the city for its history and also for its links to Royalty. The upper city fascinates me the most. It will be on my list of places I'll see in Transylvania.  I intend to see this wonderful city soon, as well as hundreds of others in Transylvania.