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Bistrita City is located on the Bistrita Valley, at the foot of the Borgo Mountains, not far away from the Borgo Pass and at some important commercial crossroads.

Archeological diggings in the area have revealed the existence of some prehistoric dwellings, but Bistrita was only first mentioned in a document dating back in1244 and it was officially mentioned as a city in 1264. Towards the end of the 13th century Bistrita's economy develops and flourishes, but it is broken at times by troubles and wars. In 1241 - 1242, the Tatars, on their way to Central Europe, devastated town and the surroundings.

Starting in 1353, Bistrita gains the right to hold its annual 15-days fair and receive the right to have its own seal (a crowned ostrich head holding a gold lucky horseshoe in its beak), which was also representative of the most important tradecrafts and commerce.

Because of unsettling times the city erects defense walls and Bistrita become a fortress. By 1465 the city had 18 towers and bastions defended by the city's traders organized in guilds. During this time, Bistrita becomes one of the most important cities in Transylvania.

Proof of the strong economical development is some of the city's architectural structures, some of which can still be seen today:

• The Gothic Cathedral and its 75-meters (246 ft.) steeple overlooking the city. The construction was started in 1470 and lasted almost 100 years (until 1564) § The 13th century Church
• "Sugalete" - commercial archway store
• The silversmith's House erected in the 16th century
• The old fortress walls and the Cooper's Tower - one of the city's defense towers.
• Through its architecture the old downtown reminds of Bistrita's flourish times during the past century.
• In 1968 Bistrita became the capital city of Bistrita Nasaud county. In 1992 the city's population was around 90.000.

In Stoker's novel. Jonathan Harker stays at the Golden Crown Hotel before traveling eastward to meet Count Dracula. While there was no hotel by that name in Bistrita when Stoker wrote the novel, one has been built to accommodate the interests of visitors who come to the area having read the novel. As a matter of fact, it is possible to drop in at the restaurant and have the very meal that Harker has in the novel - the "robber steak".