The Teutonic Knights constructed
the fortress Tartlau in 1212–1213 as part of their colonization of the Burzenland
region. The town of Prejmer near the castle had begun development by 1225, and
was the eastern-most settlement of the Transylvanian Saxons. Prejmer was
repeatedly invaded throughout the Middle Ages by various groups, including the Mongols,
Tatars, Hungarians, Ottoman Turks, Cossacks, and Moldavians. However, the
castle was only captured once, by Gabriel Báthory in 1611. Most of Prejmer's
German population fled the commune during World War II.
