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DraculaCount Dracula
Country:
 Romania |
Content:
- Biography of Dracula
- Sighisoara: Birthplace and Remnants
- Bucharest: The Central Capital
- Targoviste: The Hideous Castle
- Poenari Castle: The Chilling Staircase
- Snagov Monastery: The Final Resting Place
Biography of Dracula
Count Dracula was born in the ancient city of Sighisoara in 1431. He later became one of the most notorious murderers in the history of mankind. Originally named Vlad Tepes, he transformed into the Prince of Darkness, as "Dracula" means devil in Wallachian. Transylvania was his homeland, and his father was a member of the Order of the Dragon, which earned him the name Dracula.
Sighisoara: Birthplace and Remnants
The charming boy was born in Sighisoara, which still exists today, almost the same as when Dracula lived there. The Gothic monastery where Dracula attended morning prayers and the 64-meter tower with the same clock that chimes every fifteen minutes are still present. The town's twisted streets, gloomy courtyards, and dilapidated houses, in need of repairs for over 500 years, still house the locals. However, the people of Sighisoara do not consider Dracula a national hero and do not place flowers at his monument. They believe that the tales of his cruelty were invented by the Saxons who did not want to pay tribute to Dracula.
Bucharest: The Central Capital
Dracula could not resist visiting Bucharest, the capital of Romania, known for its numerous heroes and villains. In the heart of the city lies the old court where Dracula resided for thirteen years. It is said that the walls retain the warmth of the infamous vampire's touch, and nearby residents claim to hear heavy moans and footsteps at night.
Targoviste: The Hideous Castle
In Targoviste, Dracula revealed his true monstrous nature. The once magnificent castle, now in ruins, served as his residence, and a memorial plaque stands as a reminder. From the tower, he witnessed the death of 20,000 enemies, traitors, and swindlers impaled on stakes. Dracula developed this gruesome execution method, impaling people with a stake without damaging vital organs, causing them to live in agony for up to four days.
Poenari Castle: The Chilling Staircase
The Poenari Castle, perched on the Carpathian Mountains at an elevation of 2,500 meters, required climbing 1,500 steps to reach its gates. It is believed that Dracula devised this hellish staircase as another form of torture. The castle's history is as intriguing as the ascent. The enraged boyars who built the castle were lured there by Dracula, where they toiled day and night to construct the fortress using river stones.
Snagov Monastery: The Final Resting Place
Dracula's life ended, and our journey through Romania concludes at the Snagov Monastery, accessible only by boat. The monastery used to be a prison from which no one returned. Prisoners endured tortures as brutal as Dracula's creative methods. Those who committed grave offenses were left waist-deep in freezing water before being beheaded or impaled. Dracula built his mausoleum here during his lifetime, hoping it would be his final resting place. However, only his head lies beneath the central tombstone. His body was torn apart and scattered by his own soldiers, who betrayed him. The Turks took his severed head to Constantinople and displayed it in the city square. Dracula's relatives eventually retrieved and buried his head beneath the monastery's vaults, but his infamous soul continues to haunt the premises. During prayers, the monks send curses to the man who killed and tortured innocent people for 45 years.
