Satu Mare is the largest city and the residence of the county with the same name, having a population of 102,411. It is located in the northeast of the country. The town is first mentioned in 1150 as Zohmar. The first fortress built on the territory of the city was destroyed by the Tatars in 1243, being rebuilt shortly by King Bela IV of Hungary in 1247, who entitles his son Stephen to rule over the eastern part of th kingdom (area which included the current territory of the city).

Stephen will set his royal residence at Satmar (Satu Mare). Thus Satu Mare will have equal privileges with the old capital of the Kingdom of Hungary, Szekesfehervar until 1270, when King Stephen V becomes King of the whole Hungarian kingdom and moves his residence following the death of his father.

In the 16th century the city was burned by the Transylvanian army after the Habsburg troops siege. Reconstruction began at the order of the Austrian General Lazarus von Schwendi under Italian architect Ottavio Baldigara's indications that used the Italian fortifications system in his plans (a pentagon with five bastions form), to be destroyed again in 1703. So, although with a rich history behind, the city is not too rich in medieval artifacts today.

Did you know that:

- The Water Tower (1888) in the city centre, fueled in the late 19th century the Karolyi Castle with water and electricity?
- Around the year 1300, the first health establishments were developed in Satu Mare?
- The most westerly monastic establishment in the country is located in Satu Mare (Scarisoara Noua Monastery)?
- The oldest mansion inhabited in Romania is in the Pir village in Satu Mare and has been inhabited continuously for more than four centuries?