writebrained, rightbrained

Romania, part II

On our second day in Romania, we visited the castle in Bran.  Often credited as Dracula’s castle from the Bram Stoker novel, it is in fact, probably the inspiration for the castle in the story.  However, Vlad the Impaler never lived there, who is thought to be the character inspiration.  The novelist is likely to have borrowed influences from several people and locations.  The castle was small and quaint, and was actually used primarily as an administrative border post and as a summer home for the now-defunct Romanian monarchy.

Romania was clearly much more rural than the other countries we’ve visited, with horse drawn carts on the roads, active farms, and more pollution and poverty.  Our lovely twenty year old tour guide at Bran Castle was an architecture student currently studying in England. 

Romanian countryside

Sheepherd

Exterior of Bran Castle, which looks eerily like the castle in every Dracula movie I’ve ever seen.  Coincidence?  I don’t think so.

I don’t know the significance of this cross outside the castle.  Maybe keeping the vampires away?

Stairs leading up to the castle entrance

Beautiful detailing

The dining room in the Queen’s apartment

The only intrigue in the castle was this hidden staircase used as an emergency escape route between the second and fourth floors.  No crypt - but also no mirrors!

The interior courtyard of the castle, including a wishing well

Our gorgeous tour guide.  From this angle, you can’t see her sharp pointy teeth. jk! :)