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Romania to Buy Dracula's Castle

by Iva Skoch (RSS feed) on Jan 11th 2007 at 9:55AM

The state of Romania has made one of its first announcements as a new EU member loud and clear: they want to buy the medieval fortress in Transylvania, Bran Castle (known also as "Dracula's Castle") back from the former royal family of Habsburgs, Reuters reports. The price tag? 60 million Euros.

The castle was confiscated from the Habsburgs by the communists after WWII and just last year the former royal family got it back through restitution.

The fortress was never actually part of Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula". However, Romania's 15th century ruler Vlad Tepes who visited there, served as an inspiration for the author. The castle has been a tourist attraction ever since.

Filed under: History, Learning, Europe, Romania

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Reader Comments (Page 5 of 5)

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Trevor Jan 19th 2007 5:07AM

Gr8dane is correct Leonard. Vlad Tepes' home, Poenari Castle is in Central Romania. Take a look.
http://www.draculascastle.com/index3.html
By looking at it, you wonder how anyone ever got there? I've seen a Documentary done and how difficult it was to climb the nearly 2000 steps uphill toward the Castle. Yes, I totally agree, this is the Castle I would want to visit. The Bran Castle has been portrayed as Castle Dracula because of it's look and access. It's been used inside and out in dozens of films which is how it's kept it's name. So, just to make it clear, Prince Vlad Tepes lived in Poenari Castle, miles from Bran Castle, which has become so legendary. This has made me want to travel there all over again. Every year during Halloween, not sure if it's been disrupted since it's changed hands, there are travel packages that include a Black Tie Ball in Bran Castle on Halloween Night in which you can spend the night. Pretty cool, huh?

Iza Jan 19th 2007 5:29AM

Hey, I live in Romania and just so you all know the castle that was just sold to the government is known as "Dracula's Castle" but Vlad the Impaler only spent one night there while traveling. The fact that it is known as the Dracula Castle just gets more tourists up there. The castle that Vlad spent more time in and is where he actually impaled over 200 people is outside the town of Curtea de Arges. It is mainly just ruins now and is a hike to get there. But to get there you walk up the same path all the people did before getting impaled. If you like stuff off the beaten path and are coming to Romania I suggest this over Bran castle.

Michael Jackson Jan 19th 2007 6:00AM

Wooo Hoo HOooo

i'm going to buy this castle and touch boys in it

Marci Jan 19th 2007 6:26AM

Laurie, you are mixing up two different "stories".The killing young virgins and bathing in their blood was a woman. Vlad was the deapitor and head spiker. I would almost bet the History Channel and/or Biography Channel would be a good place to learn more! There are conflicting ideas on Vlad.. some good , some very bad. He was an interesting person either way. I hope the country takes good care of the castle, it would be a shame if it fell into disrepair. Not enough real castles left!!

Stephanie Jan 19th 2007 7:46AM

I totally belong in that castle! But the utility bills will kill me!!!

Val Jan 19th 2007 7:58AM

www.vladtheimpaler.com

Check this site out.

I would have to say this guy was the worst I have ever read about.

coach Jan 19th 2007 11:10AM

here's a currency converter:
http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic

coach Jan 24th 2007 7:49AM

there's a lesson of war in his life's story: the turks had him as a captive for years and let him go. years later, as an enemy of the turks, he impaled thousands of them.
one invading army was even rumored to have turned back upon seeing a veritable ocean of impaled bodies.

John Moore Jan 19th 2007 5:35PM

Great strategic move by the Romanian government. If managed properly the tourist potential is unbelievable and will add significantly to state coffers. Vlad's historical links to the place may be tenious but even fiction has a habit of becoming fact in the modern world. Would help of course if they developed synergies with Bram Stoker's enduring creation Dracula for obvious commercial reasons. Vlad is a great historical character but is less visable to the world at large than the literary Dracula. Hurrah for EU membership.