Romania and Beyond
Vlad the Impaler, Count Dracul
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Vlad the ImpalerThe character of Dracula owes his inception to many different sources. One historical character is the Wallachian Prince, Vlad III. Named after his father, Dracul, Dracula was a tyrannical Prince. During his reign in the 1430's he tortured many of his victims and servants. The horrors of his deeds spread throughout the lands of Hungary and Transylvania. Over many centuries these stories became more and more horrific. When the printing press was invented in Germany in the 1400's, pamphlets describing Vlad's horrible reign were published to further spread the stories throughout Europe.
Vlad's LairPoienari Castle
Pictured here is one of the locations that Vlad, III ruled, Poienari Castle. It is 14,000 steps up to reach the castle. This high advantage allowed the Prince to thwart his many enemies.
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Bran Castle
Although this castle was in existence during Vlad III's reign, he actually never lived here. Romanian tourism has included it as a destination for tourists following the Dracula legend since it looks more like the Hollywood version of Count Dracula's Lair.