Dracula's Castle
Separating the myth from the man and the monument.
The Legend: Count Dracula
Count Dracula is a purely fictional character, the antagonist of Bram Stoker's famous 1897 Gothic horror novel. Stoker never visited Romania, but he was inspired by books and myths about the Transylvanian region. His description of the castle in the novel fits the dramatic appearance of Bran Castle, which led to it being permanently linked with the legend.
The Real Castle: Bran Castle
The real castle is Bran Castle, a stunning medieval fortress. It was originally built in 1377 as a military stronghold to protect the border. In 1920, it became a royal summer residence for Queen Marie of Romania. Today, it is a museum displaying art and furniture collected by the Queen, and its actual history has nothing to do with vampires.
The Historical Figure: Vlad the Impaler
The historical figure who inspired the name Dracula was Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia in the 15th century. He was known as 'Vlad the Impaler' for his extreme cruelty and his use of impalement against his enemies. His connection to Bran Castle is very weak; he never owned or lived in it, and may have only been briefly imprisoned there.