Bran Castle (Castelul Bran) is Romania's most visited tourist attraction and an icon of Transylvania. Perched ominously on a 200-foot-high rock overlooking the mountain pass between Transylvania and Wallachia, its turrets and towers fit the perfect description of a vampire's lair. It is known worldwide as "Dracula's Castle", linked to Bram Stoker's 1897 novel. However, the castle's real history is just as fascinating as the fiction.
The Dracula Connection: Myth vs. Reality
Let's address the vampire in the room. Bram Stoker never visited Romania. He based his description of Dracula's castle on illustrations of Bran Castle available in Britain at the time. The castle perfectly matches the book's description: "...on the very edge of a terrific precipice... with a deep fissure where the castle stands."
Vlad the Impaler
The historical figure often associated with Dracula, Vlad Țepeș (The Impaler), was a real Prince of Wallachia known for his brutal punishment of enemies. While Vlad may have passed through the Bran Gorge and potentially been imprisoned in the castle for a short time by the Hungarians, he never actually lived there. His real fortress was Poenari Castle, now a ruin.
History: A Border Fortress
The castle's origins lie with the Teutonic Knights, who built a wooden fort here in 1211 to defend the border. In 1377, King Louis I of Hungary granted the people of Brașov the right to build a stone castle at their own expense. Completed in 1388, it served a dual purpose: a customs house for trade passing between Transylvania and Wallachia, and a fortress to stop the expansion of the Ottoman Empire.
Queen Marie's Royal Residence
The most significant chapter in Bran's history—and the reason it looks so warm and inviting inside today—began in 1920. The city of Brașov gifted the castle to Queen Marie of Romania (a granddaughter of Queen Victoria) as a thank you for her efforts in unifying Romania after WWI.
Queen Marie loved Bran. She transformed the cold medieval fortress into a comfortable royal summer residence. She added modern conveniences (like electricity and running water), planted English gardens, and decorated the rooms with traditional Romanian furniture and art. It became her favorite retreat.
- The Secret Staircase: During renovations, a secret staircase was discovered hidden within the thick walls, connecting the first and third floors. It is now one of the most popular features for visitors.
The Tale of the Queen's Heart
Queen Marie's love for Bran was so profound that she requested her heart be separated from her body upon her death and buried at the castle. When she died in 1938, her heart was placed in a silver octagonal casket, which was then put inside a jewel-encrusted ornate box. It was initially placed in the Stella Maris chapel across the valley. However, during the communist era, the heart was moved to the National History Museum in Bucharest. In a moving ceremony in 2015, the heart was finally returned to Bran Castle, where it now rests in the "Queen's Heart" room, fulfilling her final wish to return to the mountains she loved. The box is now displayed in a dedicated room, a poignant reminder of her bond with the castle.
Architecture and Interiors
Today, the castle is a museum displaying the art and furniture collected by Queen Marie. It is a labyrinth of narrow corridors, wooden staircases, and cozy rooms.
- The Music Room: Once the attic, this was converted by the Queen into a salon for concerts and receptions.
- The King's Bedroom: Featuring heavy, carved wooden furniture and a private balcony overlooking the courtyard.
- The Inner Courtyard: A romantic, intimate space with a stone well and balconies filled with red geraniums.
The Tea House
In the castle park, visitors can find the Queen's Tea House. Built in 1920, this rustic wooden building was where Queen Marie would receive guests and enjoy afternoon tea. It was recently restored and reopened as a charming restaurant and café. It offers a perfect spot to relax after the steep climb to the castle, serving traditional Romanian soups and desserts in an atmosphere that evokes the interwar royal era.
The Village Museum
At the foot of the castle hill lies the Bran Village Museum, an open-air ethnographic museum that is often overlooked by visitors rushing to see Dracula. It showcases traditional Romanian peasant architecture from the Bran region. You can wander among 18 historic buildings, including old barns, water-driven mills, a sawmill, and cattle sheds. It provides a fascinating insight into the daily life of Transylvanian villagers and shepherds, showing a humble simplicity that contrasts sharply with the grandeur of the royal castle above.
Visitor Tips
- Halloween: Unsurprisingly, Halloween is the busiest and most festive time at the castle. Special parties and tours are organized, often lasting late into the night.
- Souvenir Market: At the foot of the castle hill, there is a large outdoor market selling everything from traditional Romanian wool sweaters and cheese to kitschy vampire mugs and masks.
- The View: Be sure to visit the terrace on the upper floor for a spectacular view of the Bucegi Mountains and the Piatra Craiului Mountains.
- Time Tunnel: A relatively new attraction is the "Time Tunnel," an elevator ride down through the rock (originally a well) that features a multimedia show about the castle's history.
- Opening Times: The castle is open year-round, 365 days a year, though hours vary by season (shorter in winter).
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it scary?
- Not really. Despite the spooky marketing, the interior is quite cozy and domestic, thanks to Queen Marie's touch. The "scary" elements are mostly in the tortured history room and the gift shops.
- How do I get there?
- Bran is about 30 km from the city of Brașov. You can take a bus from Brașov's Autogara 2 (about 45 minutes). Brașov is easily reached by train from Bucharest (2.5 hours).
- Is it wheelchair accessible?
- Unfortunately, no. Due to the historic nature of the building, there are many stairs, narrow passages, and no elevators (except the Time Tunnel which is a separate attraction).