In the year 124 B.C., during the reign of Emperor Hadrian, Cluj was known under the Roman name of Napoca and was a settlement having the status of a ômunicipium.ö
Around the 10th century A.D., Hungarian tribes occupied Transylvania. In the year 1173, the city is mentioned under the name of ôClus,ö a term derived from the Latin word ôclusumö (ôclosedö). Subsequently, the German colons called it ôKlausenburg.ö The present-day name of the city, Cluj-Napoca, was given to it on October 16, 1974, 1850 years after the first documentary attestation of the city as ômunicipiumö.
From the 13th to the 15th century, Cluj-Napoca developed steadfastly thanks to its numerous corporations. As early as this period, the city benefited (with Hungarian support) from strong commercial ties with Western Europe, especially Bohemia, Austria, Poland, and Italy. Around 1405, Cluj became a free city. Under Matthias Corvinus (1458-1490), the king of Hungary and son of Iancu of Hunedoara, the defence fortress was built. The city became the most important political centre of Transylvania. This made it possible for it to organize most of the gathering of TransylvaniaÆs Diet.
The capital of the autonomous principality of Transylvania in the 16th century, Cluj-Napoca has had a sustained cultural life. The first printing press was founded here in 1550, while the University dates back to 1581.
The city passed under Habsburg authority in late 17th century, and in 1790 it became the headquarters of the governor of Transylvania. Between 1867 and 1918, it was part of Hungary. Many imposing religious and secular edifices have been preserved From the Imperial period.
In 1918, after the country was reunited, Cluj became the second urban centre of Greater Romania.
