Bran Castle (Castelul Bran) is commonly known as Dracula’s Castle and is probably the most famous castle in Romania. The castle is located in Bran, about 25 kilometers southwest of Brașov, on the Transylvanian side of the historical border with Wallachia. The castle has become very popular and has reached over 1 million yearly visitors, making it one of the most visited sights in Romania.
The Legend Of Dracula
The novel ‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker has created a myth around Bran Castle. Although there is no evidence that the writer knew anything about Bran Castle as he never visited Transylvania, the castle is commonly referred to as the home of Dracula, the main character in the novel of the same name and the castle is being marketed as such. It is thought that Bram Stoker based the character Dracula on Vlad the Impaler, the ruler of Wallachia, who was nicknamed Vlad Dracula.
History Of Bran Castle
Long before Bran Castle was built, its had already been a strategic location on a trading route through a mountain pass. In 1212 a wooden castle called ‘Dietrichstein’ was built by Commander Dietrich of the Teutonic Order. This wooden castle was, however destroyed by the Mongols in 1242.
In the 14th century, a new stone castle was built by the Saxons of nearby Kronstadt (now Brașov), which was used as a defence post against the Ottomans. Later it became a customs post on the border between Transylvania and Wallachia. Up to the mid-18th century, the castle continued to mainly play a strategic millitary role rather than a residence. It is thought that Vlad the Impaler only passed by occasionally, but never actually lived in the castle.
In 1920 the Saxons of Kronstadt (Brașov) had no use for the castle anymore when Transylvania became part of the Kingdom of Romania and gave the castle to the royal family. After an extensive renovation by the Czech architect Karel Zdeněk Líman, Bran Castle became the main residence of Queen Marie. Her daughter Princess Ileana inherited the castle and allowed for it to be used as a hospital during World War II.
In 1948 the royal family was expulsed by the communist regime who seized all their property, including Bran Castle. After a few years of legal disputes, the castle was returned to the royal family in 2009 and is now owned by Archduke Dominic, the son and heir of Princess Ileana. After a refurbishment the castle was opened as a private museum for the public on the 1st of June 2009.
Visiting Bran Castle
Bran Castle is now a museum that can be visited and hosts a collection of art and furniture that belonged to Queen Marie, and there are also expositions about Dracula and other horror stories. Inside the castle there is also an exhibition of medieval torture instruments for which you need to pay an additional fee. The same accounts for the Time Tunnel, an interactive multimedia experience in the underground tunnels of the castle. More info about the tickets and prices can be found on the offical website of Bran Castle.
In front of the castle there is a nice park with a pond from where you have a beautiful view at the castle, which is located on a rock. You can get a drink and relax there while taking in the views. Just outside the entrance of the castle is also a market and there are several restaurants, since its the center of Bran village.
Next to the castle there is also a small open-air museum with some traditional cottages, barns, and other peasant structures from the Bran region. Inside the National Museum of Bran you can also find more of the movable heritage of Queen Marie that has been removed from Bran Castle.
How To Get To Bran Castle
Bran Castle is located in the village Bran, on the national road DN73, about 25 kilometers southwest of Brașov and can easily be reached by car, by bus, or on an organized tour. With a car, for example by renting one at Bucharest Internatinal Airport, you’d not only be able to visit Bran Castle, but also the surrounding mountains and national parks, and other medieval towns of Transylvania. But don’t worry if you don’t have your own transportation, because if you stay in Brașov you can easily get to Bran by bus. The bus to Bran leaves from the bus station Autogara 2 every hour and takes around 45 minutes.
