Visiting this Transylvanian castle separates fact from myth.
November 1, 2024
In the heart of Transylvania stands one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. Although Bran Castle’s moniker as “Dracula’s Castle” grabs attention, the silhouette and architecture of this hilltop medieval fortification does all the heavy lifting.
Bran Castle is an easy day trip from Bucharest as part of a journey through Romania and the historic region of Transylvania.
The Saxons built Bran Castle in the late 14th century after gaining approval from Louis I of Hungary. The castle merges Gothic and Renaissance elements with turrets and towers overlooking the Carpathian Mountains and surrounding forest. Despite its fairytale architecture and (unlike the nearby Peleș Castle – a royal residence) Bran Castle was conceived primarily as a defensive structure.
As Bran Castle sits on the border between the historic regions of Transylvania and Wallachia, its lofty position saw it ward off potential attacks from the Ottoman Empire. It also served as a customs post.
When Transylvania passed from the Kingdom of Hungary to the Kingdom of Romania, Queen Marie – the country’s final queen – claimed Bran Castle as her private retreat in the countryside. She upgraded the interiors during the 20th century to make it fit for residency.
Vlad III (more commonly known as Vlad the Impaler) never lived or conducted business at Bran Castle. He may have briefly passed by the castle, but this link is unproven. Even comparing the descriptions of Dracula’s Castle and Bran Castle is tenuous; the association is marketing at its finest!
Bran Castle is open to the public all year. Tickets permit access to the courtyard and fortress walls and the interiors. Highlights include the Great Hall and Queen Marie’s bed chamber which are furnished with medieval and early 20th century upholstery and trinkets. The supply of secret passages makes it all the more fun!
An additional ticket permits admission to the Time Tunnel, the castle dungeon, and the torture chamber where medieval instruments are on display. There is also a small exhibition dedicated to Bram Stoker and Count Dracula.
Besides standard admission, Bran Castle hosts special events throughout the year. Halloween is celebrated through family-friendly activities and spooksome twilight offerings.
Upon completion of a tour, guests can sample Romanian dishes, local wines, and herbal teas at the Bran Castle restaurant. This is housed in what was Queen Marie’s tea house in the royal gardens.
Bran Castle is located in the historic region of Transylvania. The 120-miles distance takes three hours by road from Bucharest. Guided tours take a full day and usually include a stop at other Transylvanian sites such as Peleș Castle and Râșnov Citadel. These are simple to arrange locally and many Danube River cruises factor in a visit.
Trains depart from București Nord and take you as far as Brașov from where a taxi is required.
Contact Darby at Darby’s Destinations when you are ready to book your trip to Transylvania and Romania.
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