Located on a cliff in the Carpathians, 'Draculas Castle' is actually named Bran Castle, after a pass between Transylvania and Wallachia

'Dracula's Castle' or given its offical title Bran Castle , was originally built by the Knights of the Teutonic Order in 1212 and during the later half of the 13th century, was taken over by the Saxons in the region to help protect the City of Brasov, an important trade centre. Bran castle (Draculas Castle) should not be mistaken for the actual Castle Dracula (now in ruins), which is located on the Arges River, at a more secluded site.

Dracula or Vlad Tepes was born in 1431 and was the son of Vlad Dracul, who was dubbed a knight of the Dragon Order by the Hungarian king. All the members of the order had a dragon on their coat of arms, and that is what brought him the nickname of Dracul (the Devil),which over time was distorted into Dracula.

Horrified by these acts of torture, the Saxons printed books and pamphlets in which they told about Dracula and his cruelty. Tales of these acts reached as far as Germany and even into Western Europe. It was not until after his death in 1476 that the nickname (the Impaler) was bestowed upon him.

The legend of Vlad Tepes (Dracula) and Bran Castle lives on, immortalised in 1897 by the Irish writer Bram Stoker. In 1935, a richly dressed but beheaded corpse was exhumed at Snagov, a fate known to have overtaken Dracula, whose head was supposedly wrapped, perfumed and dispatched as a gift to the Turkish sultan.

Today,legend and history are entwined and is being kept alive by the throngs of tourists who visit destinations like the Monastery of Snagov near Bucharest, and Bran Castle(Draculas Castle) near Brasov. At Halloween, the castle is a favourite haunt for American and British tourists visiting Romania. It is one of the few places in Romania where you can live the true Halloween atmosphere.

Tourist informtion

Opening Times: Tuesday through Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM