Archeologists found traces of iron slag and coal, but only for a brief period before 14th century, before the arrival of the colonists.

Another name of the settlement was Târgul Moldovei which means "the market of Moldavia", referring to the Moldova River.

[4] After the Hungarian conquest, colonists from Transylvania settled in the town, leading to the urbanization of the settlement, which gained a special status.

[6] The area where the colonists settled was reorganized: they built a wooden church and a central marketplace, surrounding which parcels of land were laid out.

[6] The exact ethnic makeup of the townfolks is unknown, but several 15th century documents talk of the "Saxons in Baia".

[8] Ștefan cel Mare attacked and burnt the town on the night of December 15, 1467, in the prelude to the Battle of Baia.