Visiting Bran Castle is one of the most important things you can do while visiting Transylvania. It is one of the oldest inhabited castles in the world, and was featured in Bram Stoker's novel Dracula. This article will give you some tips for enjoying your visit to the famous castle. It also discusses tours of the area, and the history and interiors of the castle.
History
Located in a small village in Romania's Transylvania region, Bran Castle is a historical structure. It was built in the early 17th century. The castle served as a military and customs house. The building is open to the public.
When first constructed, the castle was known as Dietrichstein. The name changed to Bran Castle after the Teutonic Knights were banished from the region. The castle also had a wooden church.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Bran Castle was a part of the Habsburg Empire. It was the main administrative center for the region. In the mid-19th century, the border between Transylvania and Wallachia was moved to the mountains. This decreased the castle's military and political importance.
Bran Castle was purchased by Saxons in the late 1800s. When the communist regime took over Romania in the late 1940s, the castle became a museum. When the communists were deposed in 2006, the castle was legally restored to its original ownership.
Interiors
Located on the edge of the Piatra Craiului Mountains, Bran Castle is a beautiful medieval fortress. It has three floors and a basement. It is constructed of wood and stone. It has Gothic architectural style. It was built by the Teutonic Knights, a catholic religious order.
The most famous part of the Bran Castle is its connection to the legend of Dracula. It was also a strategic bulwark against the Ottoman Empire. This castle is said to have a secret tunnel that connected the first and third floors.
There is a well-preserved Donjon on the castle. The interiors include vaulted ceilings, arched doors and hidden passages.
The castle also boasts an impressive water well that was constructed in the 14th century. In addition to its obvious uses, the well was used to store treasures inside.
Bran Castle also boasts a fascinating museum. It is also known for its ghost stories. There are two ways to visit the Castle, by car or train.
Bram Stoker's Dracula depiction
Located in the Transylvania region of Romania, Bran Castle has long been touted as the castle of the fictional vampire Count Dracula. Although there are some similarities between the two buildings, there are also some glaring differences.
The first thing you should know is that Dracula is a fictional character created by Bram Stoker. His fictional character was based on a real person, a 15th century ruler known as Vlad the Impaler. He was famous for his brutal torture escapades and his killing of thousands of people while he was still alive.
Dracula's connection to Bran Castle is not as strong as people think. However, this is not to say that the building has no significance. It's just that there is not a direct link between the two buildings. This is primarily due to the fact that Romania tried to market the building as Dracula's Castle in the 1970s and 1980s. This was driven by its dramatic architecture and remote location.
Tours throughout Transylvania
Whether you're a history buff or just want to see the famous sites, there are many tours throughout Transylvania to choose from. You can visit Dracula's birthplace, take a tour of medieval towns, hike through alpine meadows, and even ride horses through lush green scenery. Depending on what you're looking for, you can spend just a day or several days exploring this unique region of Romania.
Transylvania is one of the most beautiful regions in Romania. It is surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains. It is also home to the largest bear and lynx population in Europe. Its landscapes have been used in Romanian literature. The Saxons first colonized the area in the 12-14th century.
There are many medieval towns in Transylvania, including Sibiu, Sighisoara, and Brasov. If you're interested in medieval castles, you should definitely visit Bran Castle. It has been nicknamed Dracula's Castle. You can tour this castle with a private guide.