The city of Codlea

Introduction

Within the expansive Brașov County, on an area slightly larger than the officially declared 132 kilometers, lies the town of Codlea. This small municipality, home to a wealth of tourist attractions, conceals a history worthy of discussion and storytelling whenever possible.

Historical Background

To truly understand the aspects we refer to, we will turn back in time, attempting to highlight current assumptions in relation to the past. Thus, the founders of the town of Codlea, according to statistics and forecasts, are the German settlers who inhabited the territory in ancient times – specifically during the active implementation period of the Teutonic Order in the Land of Bârsa.

Early Structure

Visually, the town did not present a complex structure in the past – all it had was the image of a village with a single street, its center marked by a square and a representative church. However, its first official mention, marking its existence, occurred on November 19, 1377. Since then, Georg Draudt has been the only one to bring about a slight modification, asserting with sustainable evidence that the year 1335 is significant, as the town was destroyed by the Tatars.

Importance in the Middle Ages

Since the Middle Ages, the locality held particular importance, being known as one of the "5 chairs" of judgment located in the Land of Bârsa. The rest of these have disappeared over time, with Vulcan remaining the only "chair."

Impact of World Wars

The period of World War I left its mark on the strategies adopted by the Saxons of Codlea. Thus, the vast majority were forced to relocate to the Hârtibaciu Valley, Banat, and other areas. World War II, on the other hand, was much more focused on the participatory domain – we are talking here about the fact that a portion of the Saxons (specifically 400) were conscripted into the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS.

Tourist Attractions

The town of Codlea abounds in tourist attractions, often unnoticed at first glance. The representative Evangelical-Lutheran Church from the 13th century, which, after restoration, focused on the pronounced Gothic style of the 15th century, along with the Orthodox Church (which is annexed by the Romanian cemetery, both fortifications dating from 1783) converge with the Codlea Spa, forming a trio meant to be visited every time you find yourself in this quaint municipality.

Notable Personalities

Due to the personalities born and lived here, the town of Codlea remains a representative stop of the history and traditions that have predominantly been preserved in the area. Among the most imposing names, with a resonant significance, we mention Eduard Morres, Christian W. Schenk, and Albert Ziegler, to be recalled countless times.