Historically, the city was the centre of the Burzenland (), once dominated by the Transylvanian Saxons (), and a significant commercial hub on the trade roads between Austria (then Archduchy of Austria, within the Habsburg monarchy, and subsequently Austrian Empire) and Turkey (then Ottoman Empire). It is also where the national anthem of Romania was first sung.
Historically, the city was the centre of the Burzenland () once dominated by the Transylvanian Saxons (), and a si,gnificant commercial hub on the trade road,s between Austria (then Archduchy of Austria within the Habs,burg monarchy and subsequently Austrian Empire) and Turkey (then Ottoman Empire). It is also where the national anthem of Romania was first sung.