Bran Castle

Bran Castle

Attraction Introduction

Bran Castle is located 30 kilometers from Brașov and is the legendary Dracula's Castle, known as the gathering place of vampires. It was originally built in 1377 by the King of Hungary as a defensive fortification to ward off the Turks. After its completion in 1382, it gradually became a political center that combined military, customs, local administration, and judiciary functions. The castle is situated on an extremely strategic location, built atop a small hill, backed by nearly impassable mountains, and overlooking the road that runs through the valley — no passerby could escape the watchful eyes of the castle’s lords. Because Vlad the Impaler had killed so many people and feared retaliation, he modified the castle’s entrance into a wall. To enter the castle, one had to go to the southern side and climb up a rope ladder lowered from above.

The most distinctive features of Bran Castle are its corner towers. Each tower served a unique function — some stored gunpowder, while others were equipped with movable floors designed to pour boiling water on enemies approaching the castle. The four towers are connected by corridors, and the outer walls of these corridors are lined with shooting holes to eliminate any blind spots. This made the entire castle a highly secure fortress. During Vlad’s reign, to ensure that travelers used the road beneath the castle — so taxes could be collected — soldiers stationed there conducted twice-daily patrols in the morning and evening to nearby areas where it was possible to cross over. Anyone caught by the patrols would face severe punishment.

Today, Bran Castle has been transformed into a museum of history and art, featuring artifacts from various periods. The weapons exhibition room displays a wide range of arms, including ancient spears, Romanian armor, muskets from different eras, and even Japanese katanas — all evoking the many historical events the castle has witnessed.

Bucharest, Romania