The Origins of Dracula’s Castle – Behind The Myth

The fictional character of Count Dracula is known to everyone and is probably the most popular vampire out there. His castle is perched on top of a cliff and is as spooky as you’d imagine it. A less known-detail is that there’s actually a real castle located in Romania which is thought to have been the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s novel. It’s called the Bran Castle and you can actually visit it any time you want.

The Bran castle is perched on top of a hill, this being a strategic location for a fortress
The Bran castle is perched on top of a hill, this being a strategic location for a fortress
The panorama is dreamy, both when climbing towards the castle and when admiring it from the top
The panorama is dreamy, both when climbing towards the castle and when admiring it from the top

The beginning – a castle used as a fortress

So how much about the castle and the character is inspired by reality and how much is fiction and myth? In order to be able to answer to this question we need to know about Dracula’s castle, the one from Transylvania.

The current design of the castle is not the original one. Some of the towers were added during the numerous restorations
The current design of the castle is not the original one. Some of the towers were added during the numerous restorations
Initially, the Bran castle was built to serve as a fortress but its location also made it serve as a custom house
Initially, the Bran castle was built to serve as a fortress but its location also made it serve as a custom house

Its story starts in 1388. That’s when the construction of the castle was completed. At that point the building served a double purpose. It was a fortress meant to stop the expansion of the Ottoman Empire towards that particular region but it also served as a custom house for the entire Transylvanian area. At first, the castle was inhabited by mercenary soldiers.

The interior courtyards are well protected by the fortress walls
The interior courtyards are well protected by the fortress walls
Certain parts of the castle are in ruin, showing its history
Certain parts of the castle are in ruin, showing its history
The later additions to the original castle were made in the same architectural style
The later additions to the original castle were made in the same architectural style

In 1723 the first renovation was completed. That’s when the Northern tower was added. Starting with the year 1836 the castle no longer served as a custom house and its function was purely administrative. In 1886 an ample restoration process focused on repairing the damage suffered during the revolution of 1848 as well as that done by floods and the passing the time.

The views from the towers and the terraces at the top are extraordinary and worth the climb
The views from the towers and the terraces at the top are extraordinary and worth the climb
The roof tiles are an addition done during one of the major restorations and remodels of the castle
The roof tiles are an addition done during one of the major restorations and remodels of the castle

Next step – a royal residence

Then followed a 30 year period (1888-1918) during which the prestige of the castle weakened. Inhabited by forest rangers and inspectors, it didn’t stand out too much. Things changed in 1920 when the Bran Castle became the favorite residence of Queen Mary of Romania. She requested a complete restoration and remodel which was done by architect Karel Liman. The entire process was completed in 1932 when the castle became a royal residence.

Visitors are welcomed inside the castle through a massive pair of wooden doors at the stop of a concrete staircase
Visitors are welcomed inside the castle through a massive pair of wooden doors at the stop of a concrete staircase
The inner courtyards have their own massive doors that offer access inside the castle
The inner courtyards have their own massive doors that offer access inside the castle
A small wishing well can be found in the courtyard. It's decorated with ornaments typical for the architectural style of the castle
A small wishing well can be found in the courtyard. It’s decorated with ornaments typical for the architectural style of the castle

The museum

When the queen died in 1938, she left the castle to her daughter who lost it in 1956 when the communist authorities transformed it into a museum. The castle was once again restored between 1987 and 1993. In 2006 it was given back to the princess’s family and in 2009 its rightful owners gained full rights over the property. They chose to keep it open and to make it the first private museum in the country.

Numerous windows and balconies of different dimensions cover the facades that face the courtyard
Numerous windows and balconies of different dimensions cover the facades that face the courtyard
Out here the imperfections and the damage done by time are showcased in a charming manner
Out here the imperfections and the damage done by time are showcased in a charming manner
Despite it being a castle, the building looks very home-like. That's because of its role as a royal residence
Despite it being a castle, the building looks very home-like. That’s because of its role as a royal residence

Why Dracula’s Castle? What’s the connection?

The history of the Bran castle doesn’t really suggest much in terms of vampires and all the other fantastic elements described in the novel…so what’s the connection and why is it known as Dracula’s castle? Well…that has a bit to do with Vlad the Impaler who ruled Transylvania for a period and was known as a very cruel person. His bad reputation was influenced by the horrible way in which he handled a conflict in 1459 when he killed hundreds and burned down entire villages.

The views of the surroundings can be admired from various strategic point throughout the castle
The views of the surroundings can be admired from various strategic point throughout the castle
In essence, the castle in its current state is a huge residence with lots of previous decorations
In essence, the castle in its current state is a huge residence with lots of previous decorations
The interior of the castle is decorated with numerous sculptures, statues and military ornaments
The interior of the castle is decorated with numerous sculptures, statues and military ornaments

Vlad the Impaler didn’t have a significant role in the history of the castle which back then served as a fortress. It was actually his father who’s surname was Dracul that actually inspired the name of the fictional character we’re all familiar with. The author avoids making a clear correlation between his fictional character and the Romanian ruler, a number of details point towards them being one and the same.

The castle is divided into several sections. This is a part of the military quarters
The castle is divided into several sections. This is a part of the military quarters
Staircases with walls and ceilings that curve around them link the various floors
Staircases with walls and ceilings that curve around them link the various floors
The living quarters are decorated in a more welcoming manner. using a lot of wood
The living quarters are decorated in a more welcoming manner. using a lot of wood

Dracula became the main character in Bram Stoker’s novel which was published in England in 1897. He was described as a being a count in a region called Transylvania who lived in a castle perched on top of a tall cliff in the Carpathian Mountains. Even though the author never visited Romania prior to releasing the novel and the castle described in the book looks nothing like the Bran Castle, this building is the only one that vaguely matches the description so it became the real life Dracula’s Castle.

The furniture pieces are the ones collected by Queen Mary during the time when the castle was her home
The furniture pieces are the ones collected by Queen Mary during the time when the castle was her home
Ornamental motifs are carved out in the furniture or painted on the massive ceiling beams
Ornamental motifs are carved out in the furniture or painted on the massive ceiling beams
The original furniture and artwork along with some of the accessories were preserved and are now showed in the museum
The original furniture and artwork along with some of the accessories were preserved and are now showed in the museum
Visitors can travel back in time and picture how the royal family lived here a long time ago
Visitors can travel back in time and picture how the royal family lived here a long time ago

The architecture and design of the real life Dracula’s Castle

In its initial form, the castle served as a fortress and had the shape of an irregular tetragon. Numerous modifications were made to both the structure and the design of the castle. In 1622 the Southern tower was added following plans by prince Gabriel Bethlen and later on a rectangular tower was also added to the East. After that, in the period between 1883 and 1886 the roof of the castle was covered with tiles. The most important restoration was done during 1920 and 1929 when the castle was transformed into the royal residence of Queen Mary and her family. The art and furniture collected by the queen were preserved and later displayed in the museum.

There's really nothing spooky inside the castle. The rooms are surprisingly cozy and inviting
There’s really nothing spooky inside the castle. The rooms are surprisingly cozy and inviting
Everything is arranged and displayed in a manner meant to look as authentic as possible
Everything is arranged and displayed in a manner meant to look as authentic as possible
This bed is one of the most impressive furniture pieces in the entire castle
This bed is one of the most impressive furniture pieces in the entire castle

The castle of today

Today, the Bran Castle aka Dracula’s castle is a popular touristic destination and a beautiful example of medieval history. Every year visitors from all over the world come to see the castle that supposedly inspired the myth of Dracula and the great novel it’s based on. The period around Halloween is particularly popular because of the theme of this entire legend.

This is one of the corners in King Ferdinand's bedroom, featuring the original furniture
This is one of the corners in King Ferdinand’s bedroom, featuring the original furniture
The library room is impressive and the atmosphere inside is calming and mysterious
The library room has an impressive bookcase and the atmosphere inside is calming and mysterious