In the year 1600 A.D., Michael the Brave (Mihai Viteazul in Romanian) was the first person to unite the 3 major regions of Romania: Wallachia, Moldova, and Transylvania. Although the three regions were united for only 6 months, it was a major accomplishment, and Michael the Brave continues to be regarded as one of Romania’s national heroes. Alba Iulia was his capital of Romania. Even after they broke apart, Alba Iulia continued to be the capital of Transylvania.When Wallachia and Moldova united in 1881 as the kingdom of Romania, under King Carol I, Transylvania remained part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Many years later, when Romania joined the first World War (on the side opposite the Austro-Hungarian Empire) it joined on the condition that if it was victorious, Romania would win Transylvania. On December 1, 1918, representatives from Transylvania, Hungary, and Romania met in Alba Iulia to formalize the union of Transylvania, Bessarabia, and Bukovina with the Kingdom of Romania.
In 1922, Ferdinand and Marie were crowned as the first king and queen of a united Romania. Ferdinand and Marie’s coronation was held in Alba Iulia, in a newly-constr
ucted Orthodox Cathedral (which was intentionally built much larger than and right next to a nearly-1000-old Roman Catholic Church to demonstrate the sovereighty of the Romanian [Orthodox] people over the area which had most recently been under Hungarian [Catholic] rule).“Greater Romania,” as this united Romania has become known, refers to the period between the World Wars in which Romania's boundaries were the largest. Portions were later lost to the Soviet Union (now Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova) and Bulgaria.
“Unification Hall” where the decree was signed on December 1, 1918, forming Greater Romania.
The Orthodox Cathedral in Alba Iulia where Ferdinand and Marie were crowned king and queen of Romania.
Roman Catholic Church in Alba Iulia, established in 1009.
Click here to view my other photos from the day in Alba Iulia.
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