Principality of Transylvania

semi-independent principality in Eastern Europe between 1570 and 1711

Key facts

Status: Vassal state of the Ottoman Empire ;, Hungarian crown land ;, Polish fiefdom
Capital: Gyulafehérvár (Alba Iulia) 1570–1692 , Cibinium (Nagyszeben/Hermannstadt/Sibiu) 1692–1711
Common languages: Latin (in administration, science and politics), Hungarian (vernacular, language of Diet and legislation ), German (vernacular, business, some official functions and instruction), Romanian , Ruthenian ( vernacular ).
Religion: Catholicism (both Latin and Romanian Greek Catholicism ), Calvinism , Lutheranism , Eastern Orthodoxy , Unitarianism , Judaism
Demonym: Transylvanian
Government: Elective principality
1570 1571 first: John II Sigismund Zápolya
1704 1711 last: Francis II Rákóczi
Legislature: Transylvanian Diet
Treaty of speyer: 16 August 1570
Bocskai uprising

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Today part ofRomania Hungary Slovakia Ukraine

The Principality of Transylvania (Hungarian: Erdélyi Fejedelemség; Latin: Principatus Transsilvaniae; German: Fürstentum Siebenbürgen; Romanian: Principatul Transilvaniei / Principatul Ardealului; Turkish: Erdel Voyvodalığı / Transilvanya Prensliği) was a semi-independent state ruled by Hungarian princes. It existed as an Ottoman vassal state for the majority of the 16th and 17th centuries, overseen by Ottoman Turkish sultans. At various points during this period, the Habsburgs also exerted a degree of suzerainty in the region. Its territory, in addition to the traditional Transylvanian lands, also included the other major component called Partium, which was in some periods comparable in size with Transylvania proper. The establishment of the principality was connected to the Treaty of Speyer. However, Stephen Báthory's status as king of Poland also helped to phase in the name Principality of Transylvania.