In 1897 Bram Stoker, an Irish novelist and short story author, penned what was to later become one of the enduring classics of the horror genre – Dracula. In his search for inspiration, he turned to Romania; a land rich in folklore and superstition, combining an often bloodthirsty history with endless mountains, pine forests, and a penchant for gothic castles.
Stoker became fascinated by Romanian folklore, and after consulting maps he eventually decided to choose a mountain in the northern Transylvania region as the setting for his novel. The ‘Castle Dracula’ in the book is situated on Mount Izvorul Călimanului, not far from the former border with Moldavia… in reality, no more than a barren, craggy peak.
For many years the Romanians themselves were oblivious to the mythology created by Stoker’s cult novel.
It wasn’t until the Romanian Communist Party was dissolved in 1989 that the story of Dracula finally returned home, and was met largely with bafflement.
Nevertheless, the newly-democratic Romanian people were quick to grasp the concepts of capitalism – and it was primarily for the purposes of tourism that Bran Castle became known as ‘Dracula’s Castle’.
The choice of location may appear unwarranted. After all, there is no evidence that Bram Stoker had even heard of Bran Castle, and his fictional lair was imagined many miles north of this site. The connection can be traced however, from the historical figure who provided much of the inspiration for Stoker’s vampiric antagonist.
Stoker became fascinated by Romanian folklore, and after consulting maps he eventually decided to choose a mountain in the northern Transylvania region as the setting for his novel. The ‘Castle Dracula’ in the book is situated on Mount Izvorul Călimanului, not far from the former border with Moldavia… in reality, no more than a barren, craggy peak.
For many years the Romanians themselves were oblivious to the mythology created by Stoker’s cult novel.
It wasn’t until the Romanian Communist Party was dissolved in 1989 that the story of Dracula finally returned home, and was met largely with bafflement.
Nevertheless, the newly-democratic Romanian people were quick to grasp the concepts of capitalism – and it was primarily for the purposes of tourism that Bran Castle became known as ‘Dracula’s Castle’.
The choice of location may appear unwarranted. After all, there is no evidence that Bram Stoker had even heard of Bran Castle, and his fictional lair was imagined many miles north of this site. The connection can be traced however, from the historical figure who provided much of the inspiration for Stoker’s vampiric antagonist.
