Saxon fortified church in Transylvania. © Jürgen Sauer

"The Saxons would go on to build the 'seven fortified cities of Transylvania'—hence the region’s German name, Siebenbürgen ('Seven Cities')—as well as stout churches in many a country village. The Germanic immigrants not only helped defend Transylvania, but their energy and craftsmanship brought prosperity, and they were able to maintain their culture—their neat, solid, and defendable houses; austere but pragmatic habits; modest dress; and language—reportedly less changed than that of the kinsfolk they left behind—until well into the twentieth century."

— page 36, Into the Carpathians, Part 1
© Alan E. Sparks