Boning Up On Bran’s Castle

Shadows of a thousand years fell across the Transylvanian landscape as my horse-drawn carriage rounded the bend of the twisting, tree-lined road that had been carved with exacting precision through these Carpathian Mountains. Swooping bats came out to dance, signaling nighttime was near. As the October winds whipped my hair in all directions, I brushed it back with my fingers, allowing a first glance of the home of the most chilling tale of the nineteenth century. “I don’t believe in ghosts,” I whispered to myself. “I don’t, I don’t.” Except I do. 🌚

Welcome to Bran Castle.

57: Number of rooms in Bran Castle — not including a secret passageway that leads to its watchtower.

$135,000,000: Amount in U.S. dollars Bran Castle was listed for in 2014. The castle has been put up for sale numerous times.

1428: Birth year of Vlad “the Impaler” Tepes (also known as Vlad Dracul), the notoriously brutal Medieval ruler who had a taste for blood and who is the reputed inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. However, while Stoker used some information about the history of Wallachia (where Vlad the Impaler spent much of his rule) in writing his 1897 book, the connection between Vlad and Dracula remains unconfirmed.

560,000: Estimated number of tourists who visit Bran Castle every year.

Never out of print since its first publication in 1897, Bram Stoker’s Dracula just might be the most famous monster ever created. Featured in countless films and television series, this sinister vampire is a big draw for tourists to Romania in general, to Transylvania in particular and to Bran’s Castle in specific.

In reality, Vlad only passed through Bran on a few occasions and never formally occupied the castle, although Bram Stoker likely based his fictional castle on a description of Bran Castle that was available to him at the time. Nevertheless, Bran Castle is as terrific as it is terrifying, especially in October. Two years ago, I was one of the lucky few who attended a private Halloween party right inside the castle. What about you? Would you like to attend next year’s party? Call me and let’s talk Transylvania!

Speaking of the whole nine yards, here’s a quick look at the Romanian fortress by the numbers:

1377: The year of the first documented mention of Bran Castle. This came from King Louis I of Hungary, who gave the Transylvanian Saxons permission to build the stone castle in October of that same year.

11: Number of years after King Louis’ decree that Bran Castle’s construction was completed.

2,500 feet: Bran Castle’s elevation above sea level. The building is situated in the Carpathian Mountains, on the border between Transylvania and Wallachia.

22: Number of acres comprising the Bran Castle estate.