The Myth of Count Dracula

Count Dracula is a fictional character in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Count Dracula was inspired by the infamous Prince of Wallachia, Vlad III Dracula, one of the most well known figures in Romanian history. Romanian folklore had been rich with the supernatural before the Irish writer, Bram Stoker, created the tale of Count Dracula. He researched his story well through immersing himself in the history and folklore of Transylvania.

Borgo Pass

Borgo Pass was made famous in the opening chapter of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The valley has some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the Carpathians. The inspiration for the place of Dracula’s castle came from a mountain top, Mount Izvorul Călimanului (2033m high), in the Carpathian Mountains near the former border with Moldavia. You can spend the night at the Castle Dracula Hotel which is built on the approximate site for the fictional castle.

Castle Dracula Hotel

Address: 427363 Piatra Fantanele, DN 17 Bistiria-Nasaud
Phone: 0236 264 010, 0263 264 020
Email: reservari@casteldracula.ro
www.hotelcasteldracula.ro

Bistiria

Bistiria is at the base of the Bargau Mountains near the Borgo Pass. It is the oldest town in its region with the archaeological record dating back to the Neolithic. Located about 425km northwest of Bucharest, this medieval village still houses 15th and 16th C CE merchant houses and the remains of the 13th C CE fortress. In Bram Stoker’s Dracula, a young Englishman (Jonathan Harker) visits Bistiria and spends a night at the Golden Krone Hotel. Since then a hotel with the same name has been built and is available for travellers to visit and eat the same meal that Jonathan Harker ate.

Coroana de Aur

Address: Bistrița, Bistrița Năsăud, Piața Petru Rareș Nr. 4
Phone: 0263 211 872, 0263 232 470
Email: hotel@hcda.ro, rezervari@hcda.ro
www.hotelcoroanadeaur.ro

Bran Castle

Even though Bran Castle is called Dracula’s Castle, Bram Stoker had never actually seen or been to Bran Castle. The combination of location and the long associated myth that it was once Vlad III Tepes’ home has led the castle to be known as Dracula’s Castle. Perched on a 200ft high rock with imposing towers and turrets, narrow winding staircases, underground passages, 60 rooms, and collections of furniture, weapons and armor that date from the 14th C CE, Bran castle overlooks the beautiful village of Bran.

 

Bran Castle Information

Address: Str. Traian Mosoiu 24, Bran
Phone: 0268 237 700, 0268 237 701
Email: office@bran-castle.com
www.Bran-Castle.com

Opening Hours:

April – September: Open Monday 12-6pm, Tuesday to Sunday 9am-6pm

For more information on the real story of Dracula you may like to read  Retrace the Footsteps of Dracula.

 Featured Image: Bran Castle – Wikipedia