Dracula Tour
DRACULA’S LAND
Route Description:
BUCHAREST – SNAGOV LAKE – SINAIA – BRAN CASTLE – SIGHISOARA – BISTRITA – SIBIU – FORTRESS POIENARI – BUCHAREST
Vlad the Impaler (Vlad Tepes – Dracula)
Reign -1448; 1456–1462; 1476
Born -1431
Birthplace -Sighisoara, Transylvania
Royal House -House of Draculesti (branch of the House of Basarab)
Died – December 1476 (aged 45)
Place of death – Bucharest, Wallachia
Father -Vlad II Dracul
Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia, more commonly known as Vlad the Impaler (Vlad Tepes in Romania), or simply Dracula (Nov/Dec 1431 – Dec 1476), was a Wallachian (present-day southern Romania) voivode. Vlad the Impaler is known for the exceedingly cruel punishments he imposed as ruler of Wallachia, however the people of Romania refer to Vlad as a savior to their nation and continue to justify his method of torture as not uncommon for that period in history. In the English-speaking world, Vlad III is perhaps most commonly known for inspiring the name of the vampire in Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula.
As prince, Vlad maintained an independent policy in relation to the Ottoman Empire and was a defender of Wallachia against Ottoman .
His Romanian surname “Draculea” means “Son of the dragon” and is derived from his father’s title, Vlad the Devil the latter was a member of the Order of the Dragon created by Emperor Sigismund. The word “Dracul” means “the Devil” in modern Romanian but in Vlad’s day also meant “dragon” and derives from the Latin word “Draco”, also meaning “dragon”.
His post-mortem moniker of “Tepes” (“Impaler”) originated in his preferred method for executing his opponents, impalement – as popularized by medieval Transylvanian pamphlets.
Vlad Dracula was killed in battle against the Turks near the town of Bucharest in December of 1476. His body was decapitated by the Turks and his head sent to Istanbul where the Sultan had it displayed on a stake as proof that the Impaler was finally dead. He was reportedly buried at Snagov, an island monastery located near Bucharest. However, it should be noted that it is unclear who actually killed Vlad Dracula. Stories suggest his own troops accidentally killed him during battle as he sat on his horse watching the battle.
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BUCHAREST
Bucharest – Romania’s capital, the political, cultural, scientific and the most important economic center of the country, is also the main tourist center. But not only because there are the main institutions and organizations of the country, but also because the largest city of the country offers a wide range of valuable and interesting touristic objectives, which makes the number of visitors to be always growing. Bucharest city is located in south eastern Romania, in the Romanian Plain, on the Dambovita river about 60 Km. north of the Danube river and at about 120 Km. south of the Carpathians ridge, with an average altitude of 70-80 m…. MORE ABOUT BUCHAREST
SNAGOV
At about 40 km from Bucharest, is Snagov lake on the left, secular Forest of Snagov, disturbed only by birds flight, which represents a rest of the old Forest of Vlasiei that once covered much of Romanin Plain.
In the middle of the lake on an island is monastery of Vlad Tepes who shelters the grave of Prince Vlad Tepes (Dracula), deserve to come here and listen the legend to them of him.
SIGHISOARA
“The pearl of Tarnava” – “Margaritarul Tarnavei” welcomes tourists with the fortress set in the summit of a hill and with the crowded houses which provides a wonderful and attractive view. From touristic point of view, Sighisora attracts trough its picturesque position and trough its medieval aspect conserved in the old city as well as in the centre of the city; for this reason it was declared historic monument.
From the historical events we remind that Vlad Dracul, the leader of Wallachia lived from 1431 until 1435 in Sighisoara. He was named “Dracul” because he received from the Germany’s Emperor the Dragon Order – Ordinul Dragonului. The voivode sets a monetary emission, and on the coins his face appeared; this currency was used at Brasov and Sibiu… MORE ABOUT SIGHISOARA
SINAIA
After the passing of Iancu valley, somewhere at the beginning of the XVIII was named inn (Iancu’s inn) and where nowadays is a balneal sanatorium, we enter in the newest district of Sinaia, the one that brought the name of “The Pearl of Carpathians”. Spread on the last ramps of Furnica mountains (2102), Sinaia resort developed in the second part of the last century when the king Carol I chosen this place as summer residence and built Peles castle (1875-1883). Sinaia become a resort for cure and repose, that hosts its tourists in villas ……MORE ABOUT SINAIA
BRAN CASTLE
Bran Castle situated near Bran and in the immediate vicinity of Braşov, is a national monument. The fortress is situated on the border between Transylvania and Wallachia, commonly known as “Dracula’s Castle”.
Bran Castle was originally a fortress built by the Knights of the Teutonic Order in the year 1212. Later on, towards the end of the 13th century, it was taken over by the Saxons in that region in order to protect the City of Brasov, an important trade center.
Vlad Tepes used Bran Castle as headquarters for his incursions into Transylvania. The castle is now a museum open to tourists, displaying art and furniture collected by Queen Marie.Near the castle you may also visit an interesting museum featuring aspects from the life of the peasants in the area. Bran Caste it is one of the few places in Romania where you can live the true Halloween atmosphere.
SIBIU
Sibiu is a touristic centre of great attraction because in few cities of the country, the contrast between old and new is so visible. While in the middle of the city – developed between the walls of the fortress enlarged gradually – the appearance of the buildings remind the middle ages, the rhythm of the life, the grand buildings and shops outside the fortress shows that Sibiu became a modern city…..MORE ABOUT SIBIU
POIENARI FORTRES
Poienari fortress is known as the Castle of Vlad Tepes, as it was rebuilt. It is located north of the village Arefu in the mountains Frunti between rivers Arges and Topolog from Fagaras Mountains.
Historians say that in reality Vlad the Impaler would have fled the Poienari fortress after a losing battle against the Turks. People from Arefu would be helped him to escape from pursuers, and the prince gave them more land as a reward.
Poienari fortress of village Arefu, Arges county, every year attracts thousands of tourists, especially foreigners. Many visitors are convinced that in these places lived, Prince thirsty of
blood Dracula.
CLUJ NAPOCA
The history of Cluj city is particularly rich, the age of the settlement is shown by the remains of the ages of stone, bronze and iron, discovered on the hearth of the city today. In documents Cluj appears for the first time under the name of the Dacian settlement Napoca, and Ptolemy, the great geographer of antiquity mentions it. Under this name the city develops also under the mastery of the Romans when it becomes a county and afterwards a colony. The native population has left its traces on these places during the great migration of nations, and in the 9th-11th centuries it seems that here existed the nucleus of Gelu Voivode ….MORE ABOUT CLUJ NAPOCA
ALBA IULIA
The most important settlement on the middle course of river Mures, Alba Iulia city has a particular rich history and valuable monuments which made it one of the important touristical cities of our country. One the city’s hearth settlements have succeeded from the V-th millenium b.ch. till today. Vestiges from the neolithic period ( an entire settlement out of the huts and hearth ) discovered in district ,, Lumea Noua “, traces from the bronze age, remains of the biggest fortress of wood and earth mud from the iron age discovered on the left bank of Mures river at Teleac, the great fortress of Dacians mentioned by Ptolemy in the II-nd century b.ch. ( Apulon ), discovered in 1960 at Piatra Craivii,…..MORE ABOUT ALBA IULIA
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