Dracula has never been here

As mentioned, in this town of approximately 3000 inhabitants, there stands high on a hill a castle, which for architecture is good enough to have a role in the Dracula story. Not the legendary Bram Stoker's version nor the historic count Vlad Tepes have owned this castle.

Quick Tips:

With the castle comes a musuem, of the old village and medieval live in Rumania. It is very interesting. A few houses and farms are reconstructed

Best Way To Get Around:

From Brasov you can go by bus, but we did not find it. After waiting a few hours at a bus stop in the smoke of bad diesel we decided to take a taxi. It cost only a few dollars. Prices may be increased, however.

When we arrived in Bran an old lady asked if we were looking for a sleeping place. We were, and since there were no campings in Bran--only a fully booked hotel--we accepted an invitation to see what she had to offer. She took us to her house. Behind it was another building in very bad shape. Inside that building, it was cold and smelled of fungee. It was cheap, however, and there was water, a shower and a bath; we had a lot of space. The doors were locked but there was a window from which to get fresh air in the room. Every morning we got up sick, throats achy, noses full, eyes thick. But discomfort disapeared once outside. Just for the experience I would recommend it. You go home with a good story to tell. Price was about $5 per night.

Bran's Castle is also called the Castle of Dracula, though both the count of history and legend may not have had much to do with it. The historic count may have lived there for a short while, but no one knows for certain. The Castle was built for controlling a trade route from Brasov to Cimpulung Muscel.

The Castle is incredible. Small corridors end up in large rooms. You haven't got a clue where you are and some stairs give you the idea that they lead to nowhere. It really is a must-see.

Bran is situated in the South east point of Transylvania. There the land is starting to rise. The road from Brasov to Cimpulung lies in a valley between the Piatra Craiului and the Muntii Bucegi. Both has tops above 2000m. There are a lot of woods in the area as well as small little villages, which seem to be in the Medieval period. You can take good long walks around here. A little outside Bran is a small church, which is very beautiful. If you ask you are able to visit it.