Aiud, city in Alba County, Romania
Aiud is a city in the center of Transylvania, Romania, and the second-largest town in Alba County. It sits in a river valley surrounded by hills and forests, with an old fortress dating to the 14th century rising from its center and numerous churches of different styles scattered throughout the town.
The city was first mentioned in 1293 as a royal town under Hungarian rule. In the 16th century, Aiud became a stronghold of the Reformation and hosted a school founded by Prince Gábor Bethlen, which became the birthplace of the Reformed Church District in Transylvania in 1564.
The name Aiud comes from Saint Giles, protector of travelers and healers, whose church marked the city's founding. Religious diversity remains visible today through Orthodox, Protestant, and Catholic churches that stand alongside each other, reflecting the coexistence of different communities throughout the centuries.
Aiud sits on a main road connecting Bucharest and Oradea and is easily reached by bus or train. The railway station sees dozens of trains daily linking the city to larger towns, while buses and roads make it straightforward to arrive whether you are traveling for leisure or other purposes.
Inside the fortress sits a large prison that held hundreds of political prisoners from 1947 to 1964 during communist rule. Today, monuments and memorials within the fortress grounds remember these victims and tell stories of their suffering and resistance.
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