After 1918, Transylvania became part of Greater Romania. In 1920 the city of Brașov turned Bran Castle over to Queen Marie of Greater Romania, who restored the castle as a royal summer residence and lived there both before and after the death, in 1927, of her husband, King Ferdinand I. The History of Bran Castle. Bran Castle - History (I) BRAN CASTLE (1377-1920) The Bran fortress was built on a cliff between Magura and The Hill of the Fortress, its position conferring an outstanding view towards both the hills of Moeciu and the ones from the Land of Bârsa. Bran Castle – between myth and history A visit to Bran Castle. But this medieval fortress does have a dark history. The original wooden fortifications in Bran were destroyed during the Mongol invasion in the 13th century. Although Transylvania became part of the Habsburg Empire since 1687, the promises offered by the Princes of Transylvania, including the 1651 sale of the castle, were reconfirmed by the Leopold Diploma. We invite you to experience the history, the myth, the intrigue and the magic of this wonderful place of Transylvania, the Bran Castle...commonly known as Dracula's Castle Le château de Bran (Castelul Bran en roumain) près de Brașov en Transylvanie non loin de la limite avec la Valachie est un monument historique classé et un lieu touristique de Roumanie. The first fortress had been erected probably by Teutonic Knights. Aside from the intersection in history and fiction of the bloodiest Romanian ruler that makes this castle the most famous tourist attraction in Romania, the structure has its fair share of interesting facts that would make anyone want to see it for themselves. From 1920 until 1932, the Castle was converted into a royal summer residence, coordinated by the Czech architect Karen Liman, who designed the castles Peles and Pelisor. The King’s treasury was previously emptied due to war expenses. Wordsworth also visited Dinas Bran, lamenting the castle's fate as follows: "Relics of kings, wreck of forgotten wars, To the winds abandoned and the prying stars." However, Vlad’s history and the stories of Dracula have tied Vlad and Bran Castle together forever. Searching for ghosts inside of Bran Castle. Bran (German: Törzburg; Hungarian: Törcsvár) is a commune in Brașov County, Transylvania, Romania.It is about 25 kilometres (16 mi) southwest of the city of Brașov and consists of five villages: Bran, Poarta (Hungarian: Porta), Predeluț (Kispredeál), Șimon (Simon) and Sohodol (Szohodol).. However, in the fall of 1462, after the army of the Hungarian king, Matei Corvin, captured Vlad Tepes nearby the fortress of Podul Dambovitei, near Rucar, it appears that Vlad was taken to Bran Castle and locked up there for two months. The building of the fortress was imposed by strategic and economic reasons. It has ties to Vlad the Impaler who was once the ruler of Wallachia, a region in Romania. Bran castle was firstly built in 1212 by the Teutonic Order to protect the east border of the Kingdom of Hungary. In 1212, Teutonic Knights built the wooden castle of Dietrichstein as a fortified position in the Burzenland at the entrance to a mountain valley through which traders had travelled for more than a millennium, but in 1242 it was destroyed by the Mongols. In many ways, it was a typical Welsh-built castle. Bran, initially a Saxon fortress. Bran Castle’s History. Mihai T wrote a review Jan 7. Bran Castle - History (I) BRAN CASTLE (1377-1920) The Bran fortress was built on a cliff between Magura and The Hill of the Fortress, its position conferring an outstanding view towards both the hills of Moeciu and the ones from the Land of Bârsa. Today, it acts as a popular tourist attraction and museum. Perched up on a cliff, surrounded by forests and shrouded in myth and legend, Bran Castle is one of the most picturesque fortresses in Europe, with a history spanning six centuries. The castle is beautiful and contains some amazing history. The name Dietrichstein was likely the builder of the castle, as a 1509 historical document states that the castle once belonged to a commander of the same name. The Brasov inhabitants also took on the castle’s profit-making customs as part of the lease. Due to the myth, Bran is one of the most famous castles in South Eastern Europe. The sarcophagus containing the heart was placed into a crypt chapel carved into the rock across the valley from the Castle. Discover its story and doors, for Norm’s last Thursday Doors.. Legend says that the Doors to Heaven are here, in Bucegi Mountains, near Bran Pass and Ialomița Cave. Bucharest, Romania 3 contributions. Currently, Bran Castle is owned by Princess Ileana, descendant of Dominic of Habsburg. For example, in 1593 there was an explosion on the powder mill and in 1617 a severe storm destroyed the roofs. We received your message and will be in touch with you as soon as possible. HISTORY OF BRAN CASTLE. Marie died in 1938, and her daughter, Princess Ileana, was forced out of the … Its privileged location, in the Bran-Rucar Gorge, one of the most important passages of the Carpathian mountains, gave it a key strategic role. The original name of the castle was “Dietrichstein”, and it was mentioned as far back as 1212. History of Bran Castle. All reviews bram stoker bran castle queen maria torture room count dracula romanian royal family audio guide interesting history souvenir shops dracula story rooms vampire furniture legend transylvania fiction tourists connection tat bucharest inspiration halloween. Bran Castle. The building of the fortress was imposed by strategic and economic reasons. Later on, the new stone castle became a customs post besides its role to protect the Transylvanian province from an Ottoman invasion. They spoke up against him and declared a rival family to be better-suited leaders. Legend and reality come together at the castle, which stands tall on the hillside showing its dominance. In September 1990, Princess Ileana, who since 1961 lived in a convent and was ordained as Mother Alexandra, visited Bran Castle and witnessed the damaged buildings and loss of some of the inter-war construction. SHARE ON: Anda Galffy — September 15, 2016. Bran Castle - History. That way, you can sit back and enjoy the scenery rather than worrying about driving. In 1388, the castle’s construction was complete. According to the allodial expenditure registry, he was paid 1 florin and 25 cents. Vlad gained his reputation as ‘the Imapler’ when he plundered Saxon villages and took the captured people to Wallachia where he had them impaled. After some rough years of changes and decay, the castle was given to Queen Maria of Romania in 1920. Undoubtedly, it is a sight whichbrings shivers down the spines of the brave visitors that want to delve into thehistory and legends that surround the place. The Archduchess continued the planning for the castle's future. Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle): Castle of history - See 5,873 traveler reviews, 9,315 candid photos, and great deals for Bran, Romania, at Tripadvisor. Before we go on to talk to you about our visit to Castelul Bran, let’s say a couple of things about the castle’s history. From a fortress to a castle to a royal residence and a communist holding, Bran Castle has remained a towering example of Romanian fortitude and heritage, bringing in 500,000 visitors a year. Although Bran ceased to be a border and customs point of Austro-Hungary, the castle continued to be an administrative seat. Everybody knows something about Dracula, the renowned character from Bram Stocker’s book, a book that had a remarkable echo. From 1920 until 1932, the Castle was converted into a royal summer residence, coordinated by the Czech architect Karen Liman, who designed the castles Peles and Pelisor. Bran Castle quickly became a favorite of hers and she restored it for use as a summer residence by her family. Bran Castle is a fortress that was constructed in the Medieval Times. After the Dracula film was released, it became a worldwide attraction. Bran Castle is one of the country's most important tourist attractionsand thousands of tourists flock here each year. This registry also contains an inventory of the weapons at Bran Fortress in 1577: 22 gun-flints on pikes, long spears, and halberds. The main reason for foreign tourists choose to visit Bran Castle is the legend that was created around it. It was turned into a museum featuring pieces of royal heritage and medieval … The Castle was built on a steep cliff between Măgura and Dealul Cetăţii (“fortified town’s hill”), with an exceptional view of the nearby hills, Moeciu Valley and Valea Bârsei. By the end of the fifteenth century, the castle’s commander also held the title of Vice-Voivode of Transylvania. She loved Bran Castle so … Bran Castle, The Royal Residence of Romania. Bran Castle: Caught Between Legend and History From its foundation on the naked rock near the riverbed, the fortress of Bran rises majestically above the valley. Bran Castle was transformed by the communist authorities into a museum. The City Administration of Brasov transferred the castle to the region’s forestry. Medieval Bran Castle, located at historical Bran Pass, is a fortress turned legend yet its door had been kept under key for centuries. Everybody knows something about Dracula, the renowned character from Bram Stocker’s book, a book that had a remarkable echo. The grateful inhabitants thanked Queen Marie, to which she referred in her writings: “poor villages, pure Romanian that in a near future would not have had this advantage.”. Bran Castle: Caught Between Legend and History From its foundation on the naked rock near the riverbed, the fortress of Bran rises majestically above the valley. If you’re interested in the Romanian history and you’re intrigued by the story behind the legend of Vlad Țepes (Vlad the Impaler), commonly known as Dracula, you have to visit the famous Bran Castle. Firstly, because the fortress was placed at the crossroads of trade routes. Bran Castle (Romanian: Castelul Bran; German: Schloss Bran; Hungarian: Törcsvári kastély) is a castle in Bran, 25 kilometres (16 mi) southwest of Brașov.It is a national monument and landmark in Romania.The fortress is on the Transylvanian side of the historical border with Wallachia, on road DN73.. Bran is the fictional setting for Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel. Bran Castle – 5 facts that most tourists don’t know Bran Castle is the most famous tourist attraction in Romania due to the connection to the bloodiest Romanian of all times – Count Dracula. However, the Romanian Government, through the Ministry of Culture, provisionally administered the castle for another three years. Read more, The region between Bucegi and Piatra Craiului has sparked a series of historical episodes, from prehistoric days until current times, all due to one major geographical and historical factor: the Bran Gorge. … Bran Castle is the most famous tourist attraction in Romania due to the connection to the bloodiest Romanian of all times – Count Dracula. Medieval Bran Castle, located at historical Bran Pass, is a fortress turned legend yet its door had been kept under key for centuries. The Castle became a favorite residence of Queen Maria, who restored and arranged it to be used as a residence of the royal family. Though Bran Castle is not the ‘real’ Dracula’s Castle, it is still an impressive site to visit. In 1932, the castle added a hydroelectric power plant on the stream Turcu, to light the castle but was also connected to the towns of Bran, … History of Bran Castle. For 30 years, the castle fell into decay – it was inhabited, up to 1918, by the foresters, woodsmen and forest inspectors coming from Brasov. by Rebecca Tucker Posted on 02 October 2017. The Castle was damaged over time, often by sieges and otherwise by common negligence or even by forces of nature. Read more, After 1918, Transylvania became part of Greater Romania. Ten years after the communist regime in Romania, Bran Castle was opened as a museum of history and feudal art. The fortress is on the Transylvanian side of the historical border with Wallachia, on road DN73. In 1212, Teutonic Knights built the wooden castle of Dietrichstein as a fortified position in the Burzenland at the entrance to a mountain valley through which traders had travelled for more than a millennium, but in 1242 it was destroyed by the Mongols. After the Vienna Award, when Romania lost the South Danube territories, Queen Marie’s heart that had been in the Stella Maris chapel of the Balchik’s palace on the Black Sea, was brought in its sarcophagus to Bran. Vlad the Impaler (Vlad Tepes) was allied with Bran and Brasov during his first reign (1448) and through the start of his next reign, after the Princes of Transylvania requested that he handle the anti-Ottoman resistance at the border. You don’t need to have a major in history to love this place. After the death of the Romanian Prince in 1419, due to the political instability of Wallachia, Sigismund took over the castle and entrusted it to the Princes of Transylvania. The Turks raided Transylvania, but John Hunyadi (Iancu de Hunedoara) defeated them in Bran. The purpose of this gift was to establish the Teutons in the area and to defend the Southeastern border of Transylvania from the Cumans and the Pechenegs. Bran Castle – between myth and history A visit to Bran Castle. Shortly after this, Queen Marie moved in, claiming it as her home and retreat. The Princess Ileana built a hospital in Bran, she named it “the Hospital of the Queen’s Heart”, which serviced the treatment for wounded soldiers from Brasov after the Red Cross hospital was bombed by American aircrafts. An elevator was installed into the well shaft to provide easy access between the castle and the park for the Queen suffering from arthritis. The Castle was reopened as a museum and was reintroduced into the tourist circuit. This castle is called Terchvar (Bran).” On July 15, 1575, as mentioned in another document, Ioannes Fux was sent to Bran Fortress on a mission to fortify and guard the Gorge. The building of the fortress was imposed by strategic and economic reasons. Best castle in Europe. After 1945, the hospital continued to treat people wounded and maimed in the war and the population of the region. The first pages in the history of Bran Castle were written in distant past of the early 13-th century, when invited by Hungarian king Andrew II, the Teutonic Knights appeared in in south-eastern Transylvania tasked with protecting the kingdom borders against invasion of combative peoples of the Pechenegs and the Cumans. Before you visit, just remember that its real story has nothing to do with Dracula, but everything to … Transylvania's Bran Castle — a.k.a. The easiest way to get to Bran Castle from Bucharest is on a guided tour. The castle’s restoration works, which had started in 1987, were finished. Princess Ileana herself cared for patients as a nurse and even operated in the hospital. Ileana moved via Switzerland and Argentina to the United States in 1950, together with her six children: Stefan (born 1932), Maria-Ileana (born 1933), Alexandra (born 1935), Dominic (born 1937), Maria – Magdalena (born 1939) and Elisabeth (born 1942. Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle): History - See 5,871 traveler reviews, 9,214 candid photos, and great deals for Bran, Romania, at Tripadvisor. On 19 November 1377, Bran Castle was mentioned for the first time by Louis of Hungary in his act. Extensive restoration work was carried out. Aside from the intersection in history and fiction of the bloodiest Romanian ruler that makes this castle the most famous tourist attraction in Romania, the structure has its fair share of interesting facts that would make anyone want to see it for themselves.
The countess displayed vampiric tendencies by drinking and bathing in the blood of young virgins in the belief she could attain eternal youth.The Bathory family ruled Transylvania as an independent principality of the Kingdom of Hungary, so she never faced trial for the murders. She continued the work with great efforts until January 1948. Bran Castle is a castle in Bran, 25 kilometres (16 mi) southwest of Bra?ov. In 1932, the castle added a hydroelectric power plant on the stream Turcu, to light the castle but was also connected to the towns of Bran, Simon and Moeciu. Vlad gained power over Romania, but the people of Transylvania were not happy. The lord of the castle was elected by the King, usually from among the Saxons, and whose role was increasingly important in the history of Transylvania. Address: Str. In the United States, Princess Ileana provided for herself, her children and their education through proceeds from lecturing on her life, Romania and Communism. The Castle deterioration led to its closure in 1987 and was reopened only in 1993. When Queen Marie died, on July 18, Bran Castle was bequeathed to the Princess Ileana, now married to Archduke Anton of Austria since 1931. But in 1948 the royal family was exiled by the communist regime, leaving Bran Castle unoccupied. Bran’s Castle is at the heart of Romania’s history and culture. What people don’t actually know is that Bran Castle is the place that inspired the writer. All reviews bram stoker bran castle queen maria torture room count dracula romanian royal family audio guide interesting history souvenir shops dracula story rooms vampire furniture legend transylvania fiction tourists connection tat bucharest inspiration halloween. This is affirmed in the recent volume Vlad The Impaler – Dracula, published by the Mirador Printing House, Arad, 2002, authored by Gheorghe Lazea Postelnicu. Our very own Bran Castle tour Bran Castle History. The name Bran Castle is almost synonymous with count Dracula. She also turned the area around the castle into an English park complete with ponds and a tea house. It is a national monument and landmark in Romania. A guide to Bran Castle, Dracula’s Castle History of Bran Castle . Bran Castle originally dates back to the year 1212, where it was constructed on the site of a Teutonic Knights stronghold, and the first time it was documented was in November 1377, after an act was issued that allowed the Saxons of Kronstadt, or current day Brasov, with permission to construct the citadel. Bran Castle - History (I) BRAN CASTLE (1377-1920) The Bran fortress was built on a cliff between Magura and The Hill of the Fortress, its position conferring an outstanding view towards both the hills of Moeciu and the ones from the Land of Bârsa. Princess Ileana and her family were forced to leave the country by the newly installed communist regime. An imposing, yet graceful structure that seems to be gazing down upon the hordes of visitors that flock to its entry. The Queen’s favourite, according to a statement from Balchik on June 29, 1933. When you say Bran Castle, Romania, the first thing that comes to mind is Dracula. Dracula's Castle — by the numbers The centuries-old Romanian castle is as beautiful as it is steeped in sinister history . At the same time, Archduke Anton returned to Occupied Austria to save what he could of his war ravaged estate. Bran Castle originally dates back to the year 1212, where it was constructed on the site of a Teutonic Knights stronghold, and the first time it was documented was in November 1377, after an act was issued that allowed the Saxons of Kronstadt, or current day Brasov, with permission to construct the citadel. During his second reign (1456 – 1462), however, his army passed through Bran in early 1459 to attack Brasov, in order to settle a conflict between the Wallachia Voivode and the Saxons, who requested higher customs taxes and supported his opponent for the throne. In her grave was placed a small box containing earth from the foot of Bran Castle, collected when she was exiled. Initially built as a fortress in 1211 the castle’s position on the border of Transylvania gave it great military and commercial importance until the border of Transylvania moved in 1836. Commanding a strategic crossroads for hundreds of years, Bran Castle in Romania is an impressive medieval fortification and popular tourist attraction. On November 19, the office of the Hungarian King Louis the Great – Louis I of Anjou – issued a document granting to the people of Brasov (“Kronstadt” – The Crown’s City) the privilege of building a castle. Best castle in Europe. From well-known monuments like Bran Castle to smaller castles that once belonged to the local aristocracy, the hundreds of castles of Transylvania tell a story of their own rise and decay, often directly connected to the troubled history of Romania. A true legend, a huge potential!! It is the perfect setting for a vampire-lord. On June 1, 2009, the Castle fully re-entered the possession of its legal heirs, Archduke Dominic, Archduchess Maria Magdalena and Archduchess Elisabeth. On December 1st 1920, the citizens of Brasov, through a unanimous decision of the city’s council, led by Mayor Karl Schnell, offered the castle to Queen Maria of Romania, who was described in the deed as “the great queen who (…) spreads her blessing everywhere she walked, thus wining, with an irresistible momentum, the hearts of the entire country’s population”. The 57 meter deep well of the castle gave insufficient water; therefore water was piped to the castle from natural springs situated across the valley. 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