Bucharest Dracula Castle Tour

Bran Castle – one destination you can’t miss when visiting Romania

Bran Castle is known worldwide as Dracula’s Castle and appears to be the main scene in many Hollywood movies about the mot famous vampire of all time – Count Dracula. Thanks to this reputation, Bran Castle is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Romania.

Currently, the Bran fortress, located at only 30 km away from the city of Brasov and nearly 200 km away from Romania’s capital city of Bucharest, is visited by thousands of tourists annually.

How Bran Castle became Dracula’s Castle

It all started in the late 1890s, when one famous Irish novelist, known as Bram Stoker, mentioned Bran Castle and the land of Transylvania as Count Dracula’s residence. Stoker described the castle and the Count’s personality so vividly that soon people all over the world became in love with Dracula. In fact, Bran Castle only inspired the Irish novelist and was never home to neither Count Dracula, nor the Romanian ruler Vlad Tepes, also known as Vlad the Impaler, who is often associated with Count Dracula – the most famous vampire in the world.

The truth is that Vlad the Impaler has never lived in Bran Castle. His only connection with the fortress was in 1459, when he passed through Bran to attack the Saxons from Brasov who demanded more and more taxes and who but also supported Vlad Tepes opponent to the throne of Tara Romaneasca – an historical province of today’s Romania. Back then Vlad Tepes was very well known for his cruelty, as he killed hundreds of people and burned the city’s suburbs. He was described as a tyrant and he was named Dracula so this may have led to the legend that has survived to the present day.

Another fact that tourists who travel to Bran Castle are frequently told is that Bram Stocker has never even visited Romania. He only saw a picture of Bran Castle in Transylvania, and his imagination, stimulated by the rough appearance of the castle, built the rest of the story.

When in Romania, make sure to book your tour to Bran Castle

No matter the story or Dracula’s legend, Bran Castle is a high-impact tourist destination of great importance. Every year, thousands of tourists from all over the world come here to celebrate Halloween and take part in all kinds of activities.

People also come to Bran Crastle from Bucharest, Brasov or Cluj to see its complex architecture and to hear its history of over 600 years. If you want to book your tour to Bran Castle, you can write us anytime at suport@traveleuropa.ro or you can fill the form below.

You can’t regret any moment if you choose to visit this castle, especially since it is near Brasov, so you can visit several tourist attractions. You will simply be enchanted by the beauty of the castle and especially by its location. The castle has a museum that is located on four floors, where there are exhibited collections of furniture, costumes, weapons and armor. Also, the Bran Domain also includes the Royal Park with two beautiful lakes, the Tea House – which was one of Queen Mary of Romania’s favorite places, the Administrator’s House and the Princess Ileana House.

Some real facts about Bran Castle, you should know before your tour there

Bran Castle was originally a military fortress. It was built on a rock, as a strategic point and based on the shape of an irregular quadrangle. Over time, the fortress underwent numerous changes, including the addition of the south tower in 1622, according to the plans of Prince Gabriel Bethlen of Transylvania. Soon after, was added the construction of a rectangular tower to the east, and between 1883 and 1886, the roof was tiled.

In 1920, the fortress was transformed into a royal residence, becoming the property of Queen Mary of Romania. After the Queen’s death, Brans Castle was inherited by Princess Ileana, the Queen’s favorite daughter.

Book your tour to Bran Castle HERE