Medieval castles of Romania. Three castles worth visiting Romania for
When planning a trip to Bulgaria this year, we decided to capture a part of Romania along the way, whose castles I had long dreamed of seeing. In particular, our route included that same Dracula’s castle, which I imagined as an extremely dark and unpleasant place. What did we see? What impression does Dracula's castle make and are there other castles in Romania besides it? You will find answers to these questions in the article below.
Let me start with the fact that we set off on our journey through the castles by car from the capital of Romania -. We flew to Bucharest with the low-cost airline WizzAir for just 50 Euros per person. From Russia, the most convenient way to fly to Bucharest is by Aeroflot flight from Moscow; the price of round-trip tickets starts from only 87 Euro. We planned a trip to 2 Romanian castles: Peles Castle and Bran Castle or Dracula's Castle. In addition, in this article I talked a little about the Corvin Castle. All these 3 castles are marked on the map below.
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Peles Castle
Peles Castle is located 128 km from Bucharest near the city of Sinaia. On the way to the castle there are truly stunning views of the southern Carpathians (Transylvanian Alps). The castle is made in the neo-Renaissance style and was built over 30 years: from 1873 to 1914. The castle was built by order of King Carol I. The most interesting thing about the construction of the castle is that it was practically not built by Romanians, the main architects were German and Czech, Italians were masons, Romanians built terraces, Albanians and Greeks processed stone, Turks fired brick.
I liked the combination of half-timbered and gothic elements in it. The castle has more than 170 rooms in which you can see how people of that time lived. The castle houses a rich collection of weapons: more than 4,000 pieces, as well as a collection of oriental carpets, porcelain, paintings and tapestries.
A statue of King I stands in front of the castle. Since 1953, the castle has housed a permanent museum exhibition. During the idiotic rule of the communist Ceausescu, the castle was closed to tourists - it is not clear why. In those days, only servants and military personnel were allowed into the castle grounds. The castle reopened its doors to visitors after the anti-communist revolution of 1989, when Ceausescu himself was shot dead. Nowadays, Peles Castle attracts almost half a million visitors a year.
We did not go inside the castle, because... We’ve already seen enough of different castles in the Czech Republic and Germany, and now it’s very difficult to surprise us with anything. A walk along the picturesque terrace of the castle along with the crowds of tourists was enough for us. It’s surprising that after deserted Bucharest, here you come across such a piece of the center of tourist life: here they sell you souvenirs and organize organized excursions.
The weather that day was not particularly conducive to walking: it was damp and cloudy, the temperature in the mountains did not rise above +11 degrees and it was raining, although it was June outside. The best place to visit the mysterious Romanian castles.
And from the platform in front of the castle itself, in good weather, you can see the funicular soaring upward. Later we learned that the city of Sinaia is the largest ski resort in Romania. There are also luxury hotels, chalet hotels on the mountain slopes and modern ski lifts: everything is like in civilized Europe, which you wouldn’t expect to find in Romania. The height of the mountains around Sinai exceeds 2000 meters. If you decide to go skiing in Sinaia, take a close look at these hotels: Hotel International, Hotel Bastion, Complex La Tunuri - Vila Economat.
On the approach to the castle there is another castle - Pelesor (Castelul Pelişor), which forms one complex with Peles Castle and is very similar to it. The castle is made in art nouveau style.
Dracula's Castle (Castelul Bran)
Then our path lay to Bran Castle, or simply Dracula, to which we had to drive another 48 km. On the way to Dracula's castle, we overcame a long serpentine road: first we climbed the mountain and slowly plunged into a thick white fog, which, like a cloud, enveloped us from all sides. Neatly stacked stacks and small villages floated past.
According to our observations, Romanian villages look much more well-groomed than cities, and this is understandable, because the country’s economy is largely focused on agriculture.
When approaching Dracula's castle, the rain completely dropped. The castle is located on a rock, and in order to get to it, you need to overcome the road up. You can only get to the castle grounds by paying for a ticket, which we were also surprised by: usually entry to castle grounds in Europe is free, but you only pay if you want to go inside. Cost of visiting the castle and grounds: 7 Euros per person; tickets for children and students are cheaper.
The castle did not make any terrifying impression on me: an ordinary castle standing on a rock. However, the Romanians do not think so; it is profitable for them to present this castle in a mysterious light and sell such far-from-cheap tickets to it, as well as sell vampire paraphernalia next to the castle.
Dracula's Castle is located on the border of the Transylvania and Wallachia regions. In fact, not only this castle, but also two other Romanian castles were associated with the legend of Dracula: Poenari Castle (Cetatea Poenari) and Corvin Castle (Castelul Corvinilor).
It is interesting that Bram Stoker might not even know about this castle as the refuge of Count Dracula. This castle was chosen as the count's residence based on his descriptions in the book. Bram Stoker never visited Romania. The image of the bloodthirsty Dracula was based on the image of the ruler of Wallachia, Vlad the Impaler, as you probably yourself know. The castle displays the furniture collection of Queen Maria of Romania.
For a fee, you can visit the torture rooms in the castle. The construction of the castle dates back to the end of the 14th century. With its rocky walls, it reminded me a lot of Königstein Castle, which is located not far from Dresden.
We were not particularly impressed with the interior of the rooms. I liked the view of the courtyard with a well and the tiled turrets shrouded in fog.
We also noticed a colorful house at the foot of the castle, the roof of which was completely overgrown with grass.
Corvin Castle (Castelul Corvinilor)
We didn’t go to Corvin Castle, which is considered the most beautiful castle in Transylvania, because... I had to drive another 270 km, but I’ll tell you a little about it. The Corvin Castle and the famous wooden bridge leading to it are often listed in various ratings on the Internet as “the same Dracula castle.” Indeed, it looks ominous and even looking at it on a postcard, you can see Count Dracula’s carriage rapidly rushing across the bridge to the castle.
Photo from https://www.wikipedia.org/
This castle is exactly like Vajdahunyad Castle - one of the. Having rummaged through Wikipedia, I found out that both of these castles were built for the same Hungarian dynasty of kings - Hunyadi. I have never been particularly interested in architecture, but now, having visited many places in Europe, I often compare different places and surprise myself.
Rumor has it that Vlad the Impaler, the prototype of Dracula, was kept in this castle for 7 years after his overthrow.
How to get to Romanian castles?
Below I have attached brief instructions on how to get to the Romanian castles described in the article by public transport. On my own behalf, I would like to add that it would be more convenient to rent a car (from 20 Euro per day), because... in this case, you will be able to visit more castles in one day. Romania has a very well developed train service. You can buy a train ticket at the ticket office at the station or on the Romanian Railway website. If you don’t want to go to the castles on your own, you can book an excursion from Russian companies that organize excursions to the city of Brasov, the Sighisoara fortress, the Corvinov Castle and other interesting places in Romania.
- To get to Bran Castle from Bucharest, take the train towards Brasov. Upon arrival in Brasov, take bus number 23, which leaves directly from the railway station and go to bus station number 2 (Autogara 2). From there buses and minibuses depart to Bran Castle.
- To get to Peles Castle, take the train to Sinaia. From Sinaia railway station to Peles Castle is only 2 km, which can be covered on foot.
- Corvinov Castle is the furthest to get to: about 8 hours by train from Bucharest. You will need to get to the city of Hunedoara, from where you will have to walk 2 km to the castle.
What other interesting castles can you see in Romania?
Below I give you a list of interesting castles to visit in Romania and the distance to them from Bucharest.
is a visit to stunning Romanian castles. There is a lot of interesting castle architecture in this country, so it is impossible to see absolutely all the buildings for which the state is famous. However, if Romania is your destination in 2019, read this article about which castles you should definitely visit and how they differ from each other.
Romania is a country with a very interesting history. For many centuries, princes and other rulers ruled here, the country was divided into several parts, the ruler of each of which built his own castle. In the history of Romania there were periods of Ottoman rule and periods of independence, the country experienced socialism. Currently, Romania is a developing democratic state, but the imprints of past eras, namely castles, are its distinctive feature.
It is worth noting that most of them are perfectly preserved, moreover, they are located in picturesque places, and there are stunning parks around them.
The castles of Romania are glorified in both literature and cinema.
The country's authorities are happy to encourage tourists, and therefore the infrastructure around these ancient buildings is very developed: there is where to dine, what to buy as a souvenir or as a gift, and you can live in settlements located near the castles. With or without a tour, as part of an organized group or alone, be sure to visit the beautiful castles of Romania!
Some interesting castles in Romania
Peles Castle
The most picturesque castle in Romania is Peles Castle. It is located in the city of Sinaia, which can be reached from Bucharest or Brasov by bus or train. Its harmonious beauty combines different architectural styles and trends; oriental ornaments and elements of Baroque and Renaissance are exquisitely intertwined here. The fact is that the castle often changed owners, and each subsequent one somehow changed the appearance of the building.
Since the construction of the castle began at the end of the 19th century, the most advanced technologies were used. An elevator was equipped and electricity was installed. Now you can explore more than 160 rooms in the castle, each of which has a special decoration.
In the vicinity of the castle, the river of the same name flows and there is a landscaped park with fountains, sculptures and alleys. And inside, in addition to the interiors, you can see a collection of ancient weapons and a magnificent library.
You can visit Peles as part of a tourist group, which is selected according to language. You will have to pay about 3 euros for entry, while photography and videography are possible for an additional fee.
Pelisor Castle
This castle is, in fact, the “younger brother” of Peles Castle, it is located next to it and was built at the same time - for a younger member of the same family. The building was built in Art Nouveau style and includes many wooden elements. The interiors are also quite interesting and well preserved.
Bran Castle
It is known as the castle of Count Dracula, although it has no special connection with him, nor with Vlad the Impaler. It's all about its location. It is located in Transylvania, not far from the gorge, and resembles in appearance the one described in the literature. The easiest way to visit Bran Castle is by taking a bus from Brasov.
Video about the castle:
The castle was built in order to protect the inhabitants from the constant raids of the Turkish army. It had several owners, including the royal family. As for Count Vlad the Impaler, if he was here, he was just passing through. Now this castle houses a museum with a permanent exhibition of medieval art. Having visited this place, you can admire ancient armor and weapons, medieval furniture and household items. The castle has many interesting places: a secret staircase, an ancient chapel, a mystical well.
Entrance to the castle costs about 5.5 euros.
The local population claims that the castle is still shrouded in a terrible atmosphere, and especially impressionable people even hear groans.
Whether this is true or not - check for yourself!
Poenari Castle
But this castle is the place where the legendary Vlad the Impaler really lived. The castle is recognized as one of the oldest in Romania; its construction began in the 13th century. Now, despite the fact that the castle is in ruins, the number of tourists and visitors is always large.
Poenari Castle is located in the Carpathians; you can reach it by climbing one and a half thousand steps of a narrow staircase carved into the rock. Here you can look at fragments of the castle walls, as well as the sites where, according to legend, executions were carried out. There is an opinion that on the territory of Poenari there is an underground tunnel that leads to the territory of Turkey.
In addition to the ruins themselves, the castle grounds offer a magnificent view of the picturesque surroundings. The fortress is located near Lake Vidraru.
Corvin Castle
This castle is located in the city of Huneadora. It, unlike the previous one, has been preserved quite well: towers, windows, decorative elements are a stunning example of real Gothic architecture.
The castle was built in the 14th century by the Hungarian king. Subsequent owners supplemented the building with other elements, and therefore Renaissance decor can be seen in the architecture.
It is worth knowing in advance that visitors to the castle will see a real torture chamber. This spectacle may not appeal to the faint of heart or small children. In addition, you can explore the towers, the feast hall, and see medieval interiors. The building is surrounded by a picturesque moat.
The ticket price will be approximately 3 euros; you will have to pay extra for photo and video shooting.
Fagaras Castle
A huge and mighty castle, or rather a fortress, is located in the town of the same name in Romania. This building has been standing for almost 7 centuries. The fortress looks truly impregnable and is in excellent condition.
Inside you can visit the historical museum, where you can learn about the history of the castle and the city, as well as a restaurant with very good national cuisine and a wine cellar - to become familiar with how the knights feasted.
Entrance to the castle will cost about 3 euros.
Alba Iulia Fortress
The fortress is located in the city of the same name. It differs from other castles and fortresses in that it was built in ancient times. More precisely, of course, initially, and subsequently the building was destroyed and rebuilt, as a result of which it now represents many cultural layers on which archaeologists are working.
The more “modern” part was built in the 18th century. It is built according to a strict geometric shape - in the shape of a star. It is worth not only looking at the walls themselves, but also paying attention to the local monastery and cathedral, palace and university, as well as visiting the Museum of Local Lore.
You can get into the fortress itself freely; you will have to pay for a tour or a ticket to the museum.
Throne Fortress
Located in the city of Suceava, in the northeastern part of the country. The citadel was built in the 14th century; it is located on a hill and is a powerful fortification. A moat, a drawbridge and powerful walls - everything that a real fortress requires.
It is interesting that various troops tried to take the fortress several times, but it was taken once - as a result of betrayal and intrigue.
Later, the monumental building was destroyed by an earthquake, however, in the 20th century, the authorities began its restoration, and now it looks almost the same as when it was built, so when walking around it, you can safely imagine how life went here in ancient times.
Entrance to the Throne Fortress will cost about 3 euros.
Deva Castle
Located in the Romanian city of the same name, on a hill. Refers to those that have survived, alas, only as picturesque ruins.
This castle was mentioned in chronicles of the 13th century. According to historians, it was previously powerful and fortified, and the city itself was an important strategic and economic center of the Transylvania region. The castle was destroyed and rebuilt, but the 19th century became fatal for the Virgin: a gunpowder explosion destroyed it completely.
Now the territory of the castle is a protected area, the authorities are trying to slowly restore it. However, currently you can only climb the hill by cable car and walk among the picturesque ruins.
Sighisoara Fortress
It is located in the city of the same name, which is entirely included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. When you go to Sighisoara, you should definitely stroll through the streets of the city and explore the fortress itself.
The settlement was founded in the 12th century. The fortress was built by immigrants from Saxony, and, surprisingly, it remained almost unchanged. Inside the fortress you can go up to the observation deck, admire the temple buildings, and visit museums.
The easiest way to get to the city is from the Romanian capital; you can walk along the fortress streets for free, or you can book a tour.
As you can see, the castles of Romania are buildings for every taste. Strong and powerful fortresses and elegant Gothic buildings, almost ruins, where dreamers will enjoy, and well-preserved buildings that will show the atmosphere of ancient eras in all its glory... Visiting one real castle is already a wonderful adventure that befalls a person, and even if you go around several castles in Romania, enough impressions for many years!
A unique calling card of Romania are its numerous castles. The Middle Ages brought to us a rich heritage in the form of these majestic buildings. Romanian castles are a wonderful illustration of the country's medieval heritage. Architectural styles such as Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance were mixed in these buildings in remarkable diversity. The castles of Romania, having absorbed the national traditions and customs of the country, tell us about its history.
Castles built in the XIV - XVIII centuries amaze with their severity and power. Of course, their main function was to protect the Romanians from invaders. To this day, no one doubts the defensive power of these castles. As a rule, castles of this period are protected on three sides by inaccessible mountain peaks. The main tower of most castles is crowned with an observation deck; round observation towers give additional protective power to the castles. High walls, secret passages, loopholes and watchtowers more than once saved the inhabitants of this country from enemies.
But Romanian castles, built in the late 1800s, are not so majestic, but they delight in their luxury and beauty. The Romanian Peles Castle, built by King Carol I in 1873 - 1883, is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. The castle's interiors are a true example of elegance.
Romanian castles were able to combine seemingly incompatible details in their architecture. These medieval buildings have everything - both the splendor of the East and the pragmatism of the West.
The attractive power of Romanian castles.
Temporary and inexpensive car rental in Rostov. Wide selection of cars of various classes.Legends and chilling stories have always been told about Romanian castles.
The castles of Romania have always been surrounded by an aura of mystery and mystery. They carried something mystical and magical. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that in his only tragic and sad novel, “Castle in the Carpathians,” Jules Verne described a Romanian castle.
What can we say about the legendary! This castle is literally covered in soul-searing stories. Officially this castle is called “Bran”. It was built in the 14th century, thirty kilometers from the Romanian city of Brasov. The Gothic, somewhat elaborate architecture of this building, a huge number of intricate corridors and underground labyrinths give this castle a special mystery and gloominess. Today, in this castle, tourists can visit the room of fear, in which none other than Count Dracula himself awaits them.
It so happened, perhaps, historically that today it is no longer possible to imagine Romanian castles without vampires scurrying through countless corridors. Perhaps it is precisely because of this that the mystical and unsolved secrets of Romanian castles attract so many tourists every year.
It is known in Europe for its fairy-tale and legendary castles, and different fairy tales and legends are remembered: scary and not so scary, sad and kind, with a happy ending and with an “open ending”. These castles also look different: some are bright and attractive, with light walls, beautiful turrets and shiny carved spiers; there are gothic ones - gloomy, dark and mysterious, but not without special charm; There are defensive structures devoid of intricate decorations - with narrow loophole windows and thick, strong walls.
You cannot come to Romania and not get acquainted with its fortresses and palaces - such a tour will give an incomplete idea of this country with a rich historical past. The architecture of Romanian castles is always unique, but they are conventionally divided into two types: medieval castle-fortresses and castle-palaces - the latter were built later, in the 18th-19th centuries.
Bran Castle: legends and reality
When most people hear about Romanian castles, they immediately think of vampires and Count Dracula - most likely due to a lack of knowledge on this topic. The name of Vlad the Impaler - Dracula - is often associated with Bran Castle - thanks to the writer Bram Stoker.
Bran Castle was built in the 14th century, on a hill - this is how many castles were built at that time - and in fact was a strategic object: this is evidenced by the labyrinth of corridors and halls, as well as the layout of several levels, allowing the construction of any defense. It is interesting that the castle was built by ordinary citizens: the residents of Brasov built it with their own money, and received an important benefit - for several centuries they did not pay taxes to the state.
Dracula only spent the night here in the 15th century and loved to hunt in the surrounding forests; They also say that the Turks tortured him in this castle - this is another version. Be that as it may, tourists flock here first of all: they really want to believe in a fairy tale - for example, in one of the rooms of the castle they show a huge carved bed, on which, according to legend, many victims of the vampire count met their end.
In addition, Bran Castle is considered to be of considerable historical value, and its architectural exclusivity is undeniable: many people want to wander through the medieval labyrinths and feel the real “connection of times.”
Peles – a fairytale castle made of sweets
Peles is located in a beautiful place in the Carpathians– it began to be built in 1873. Its architecture is rich in a mixture of styles, but this does not spoil it, but decorates it: it belonged to the royal family, and all the owners wanted to do something in their own way. As a result, the castle is considered one of the most beautiful in the country: many tourists say that it resembles fairy-tale buildings made of cookies and ice cream.
The interior is also diverse: at the end of the 19th century there was no shortage of craftsmen and materials, so at every step one encounters real riches - works of painting and sculpture, exclusive dishes made of silver and gold, expensive carpets and tapestries, leather and porcelain products, black furniture wood, etc. Notable features include a library with a unique collection of rare books and a weapons collection - it contains more than 4,000 items.
The castle is also beautiful outside: Peles got its name from a river flowing in the mountains - it also flows around the park ensemble, which is very worthy of attention. The park has terraces and fountains, and many elegant sculptures have been installed, including statues of the King and Queen of Romania, thanks to which the castle appeared. Now Peles is a state museum: hundreds of thousands of foreign and local tourists come here every year.
Hunyadi, movie star castle: impressive gothic
The Corvin Castle, or Hunyadi, is located in a small town that does not have a rich historical past. The town of Hunedoara has been known since ancient times only for its iron deposits, and now it is the center of ferrous metallurgy: against the background of modern enterprises and factories, the Corvin Castle, built in the Gothic style, stands out brightly and immediately attracts the eye. Although on the outside it does not resemble the masterpieces of European Gothic architecture, inside everything is quite consistent with this style, although it seems more severe and rough.
Hunyadi is the surname of a person who inherited a fortress from his parent; in the 15th century, Janos Hunyadi built a castle in its place. He became the ruler of Transylvania, established his residence in the castle and founded the Corvin dynasty. Descendants continued to build, decorate and decorate the castle, and it attracted the attention of the rulers of other states: over the next 200 years - from the beginning of the 16th to the 18th centuries, the Corvin castle changed owners more than 20 times, and, in the end, went to the Habsburgs themselves. Interestingly, this castle is also associated with the name of Dracula: it is believed that he was imprisoned here for several years.
The castle was carefully restored: after a fire in the middle of the 19th century, and then in the middle of the 20th century, and was opened to tourists in 1974. The halls, corridors and stairs of the castle are impressive: in 2010, journalists from a famous tourism publishing house called it “the second most terrible building in the world”; There are also many creepy legends associated with it. Movies are often filmed in the Korvinov Castle: for example, the historical series known to many Russian viewers, “Cursed Kings,” was filmed here.
Sighisoara – the beauty of the Middle Ages
Sighisoara is both a city and a fortress with one name. The city itself is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List; it, too, like many places in Romania, is associated with “that same” name - it seems that residents of the rest of the world often associate the name of the entire country with Dracula.
Dracula was born here and tourists are shown his house, but the fortress, which is the historical center of the city, is the main attraction. It was built in the 12th century, and is famous for its Clock Tower, the total height of which is 64 m - although the tower was built later, in the 14th century. The Sighisoara Fortress has been perfectly preserved also because it is not just a place to visit, but also a residential area: people live and work inside its walls - of course, many are engaged in serving tourists.
Every year the fortress hosts a major cultural and historical event - a festival of medieval art, which lasts three whole days. At this time, here you can meet many knights in armor and beautiful ladies in luxurious attire, communicate with black magicians, sorcerers and witches; visit fairs, attend tournaments and exciting theatrical performances.
Castles of Romania – find “yours”
There are many castles in Romania, each with its own character– it is impossible to describe it here even very briefly. Picturesqueness is perhaps their common feature, although some castles seem luxurious and attractive, while others seem formidable and gloomy. There are also those that give the impression of functional, “business” buildings.
Romania's cultural heritage can be considered one of the richest in the world; In addition, such an abundance of unique legends and traditions is not found in every “medieval” country. That is why Romania is a great place to find a castle “to your liking”, with unique architecture and the most tempting legend - a castle of real wonders.
Popular castles in Romania: modern, medieval and ancient castles. Photos of castles in Romania.
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Corvin Castle
Transylvania, Hunedoara Counrty, Hunedoara town, Curtea Castelului, 1-3
The castle became a real family nest for the feudal family, which slightly rebuilt the building, adding Gothic elements of Baroque and Renaissance. After the Corvins, the castle was replaced by dozens of owners, and almost everyone changed something in the appearance of the building.
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Pelisor Castle
Sinaia, Aleea Pelesului, 2
King Carol I built Pelisor for his nephew Ferdinand I. Pelisor is a summer residence for the heir to the throne. Construction took place in 1899-1903. Pelisor is not one building, but a complex of several: a central castle and small terraces.
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Alba Iulia Fortress
Alba Iulia is one of the most ancient cities not only in the historical region of Transylvania, but also in all of Romania, whose history dates back to ancient times. Moreover, quite recently, the world’s first writings were discovered during archaeological excavations in the city.
A tourist trip to Romania without visiting castles is like visiting Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. Of course, Bucharest has many interesting sights. But most people go to Romania primarily for the castles. And he does the right thing!
The castles of Romania are perhaps the main architectural heritage of this far from miniature state. Castles are scattered throughout the country, some are not easy to get to, while others have long been visited by tourist trails.
Castles in Romania can be divided into two broad categories. The first ones were built in the 14th-18th centuries. This is the architecture of the Middle Ages: thick fortress walls, gloomy passages, Gothic windows and other elements. The second type of buildings appeared already in the middle of the 18th century, and it is difficult to call them castles. Rather, they are beautiful palaces, large and bright, luxurious, with many intricate decorative details.
Everyone can find a castle to their liking in Romania: some like the gloomy solitude, while others like the austerity of the architecture. But in any case, all the castles of Romania are very beautiful, each in its own way.
Most of the castles have been preserved in fair condition. The most popular ones, like Bran, receive up to hundreds of tourists per day and operate like museums. Around castles, as a rule, there are luxurious parks or nature reserves. This gives medieval buildings an even more detached look from modern reality. It’s not for nothing that filmmakers love to shoot in Romania for thematic films.
World literature has addressed the topic of Romanian castles several times. The most famous books are “Castle from the Carpathians” by Jules Verne and, of course, “Dracula” by Bram Stoker.
Dracula is the main and most popular Romanian brand. Thousands of people from all over the world come to tickle their nerves while walking through the dungeons of castles that preserve the legacy of the famous count. The unsociable Vlad the Impaler forever became a symbol of the insidious vampire and added mysticism to trips to Romania.
It is not surprising that several castles are considered “the place of Dracula.” The most popular one is Bran Castle. It was actually built by Vlad the Impaler, who is considered the prototype of the hero of Bram Stoker’s novel. Even if you're not a fan of vampire stories, Bran is worth a look - it's an outstanding piece of architecture.
Thrill-seekers will find fragments of stories about Dracula in Poenari Castle. According to legend, the famous vampire threw his victim from the fortress wall after drinking her blood.
Why, any agency will be happy to select options for “Dracula tours” for you. The most courageous are even offered an overnight stay in the castle. Whether hair turns gray after such entertainment is not specified in tourist brochures.
Well, in general, the castles of Romania are a visual aid to the history of European architecture. You can use them to track all artistic styles.
It’s nice that the infrastructure around the castles is excellent. These attractions are relatively easy to get to on your own; souvenirs (most often wool items) and locally produced products (cheese, wine) are sold nearby.