How old is bran castle

Its privileged location, in the Bran-Rucar Gorge, one of the most important passages of the Carpathian mountains, gave it a key strategic role. Firstly, because the fortress was placed at the crossroads of trade routes. Secondly, it served as an important starting spot for military invasions, while also defending the city of Brasov , located 30 kilometres away. The current building, shaped as an irregular rectangle, was erected one century later.

The 17 th century saw the building of its round southern tower, and later, on its eastern side, that of a square-shaped one, both still present. Today, Bran Castle hosts collections of furniture, costumes, weapons and armor as part of a museum spread over four floors. Due to its location between the peaks of the Mountains Bucegi and the photogenic Piatra Craiului Mountains, it offers spectacular views from the terrace. On clear, sunny days, the villages below look like a mosaic of red and white dots in a sea of green tree tops.

On dark, full moon nights, however, the air gets filled with mystery, and nothing is what it seems anymore. According to legend, Vlad the Third of Wallachia, better known as Vlad the Impaler, was imprisoned in the castle for two weeks. According to records, the bloodthirsty vampire has not made a documented appearance yet. The 14th-century castle is believed to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker's novel Dracula. You may be interested in watching:. This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Calls are being made for a new tourist trail to celebrate Bram Stoker's links to Scotland. Related Topics. Coronavirus vaccines Vaccination Romania. Published 10 January Published 10 March. Surrounded by an aura of mystery and legend and perched high atop a foot-high rock, Bran Castle owes its fame to its imposing towers and turrets as well as to the myth created around Bram Stocker's Dracula.

Built on the site of a Teutonic Knights stronghold dating from , Bran castle was first documented in an act issued on November 19, , giving the Saxons of Kronstadt Brasov the privilege to build the Citadel. Although Stoker never visited Transylvania, the Irish author relied on research and his vivid imagination to create the dark and intimidating stomping ground of Count Dracula, leading to persistent myths that it was once the home of Vlad Tepes, ruler of Walachia.