Located in the beautiful Transylvania, in the immediate vicinity of Brasov, Bran Castle is one of the most popular touristic destinations in Romania.
In this article, we wanted to share with you some fascinating facts about this castle which are likely to make you want to book one of the available tours to Brasov right away.
The Obscure Myths and the Fascinating History Behind Bran Castle
It’s impossible to talk about Bran Castle without mentioning Dracula.
The fictional vampire created by the author Bram Stoker in 1897, was inspired by a cruel and bloodthirsty Romanian ruler named Vlad The Impaler.
The castle described in the novel does resemble some parts of Bran Castle, but it’s not an exact match. Still, as history has it, Vlad did briefly live here in the 15th century.
Most people come to the castle lured in by the mystery associated with Dracula and end up getting much more than expected.
If you decide to visit – whether it’s on your own or by booking one of the tours to Brasov- you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover an actual historical medieval gem.
Sitting atop a massive cliff and surrounded by tall mountains, the fortress dating back to 1377 served a military purpose for hundreds of years.
That changed in 1920 when Queen Marie of the Royal Family of Romania decided to start a restoration process.
Her wish was to turn the military stronghold into a royal summer residence.
The castle became a favorite residence of Queen Marie.
After her death, her heart was placed in a beautifully ornated silver box inside the Bran Castle for a while, as the queen wished.
Princess Ileana was the one who inherited the castle, as specified in the Queen’s will.
The princess also inherited Queen Marie’s love for Bran Castle which held a special place in her heart until her passing in 1991.
A box containing earth from the foot of Bran Castle was put in her grave.
Adjusting to Modern Times: the Medieval Fortress Today
In 2009, Bran Castle re-entered the possession of its legal heirs, the descendants of Princess Ileana.
The castle is now a museum, hosting over 560,000 visitors a year. In addition, Bran castle is used as a one-of-a-kind venue for special events.
- A Halloween costume party is hosted here every year. Attendees get a chance to experience the magic of the place during the spookiest night of the year.
- In 2016, Airbnb ran a global competition. The prize? Spending Halloween in the imposing medieval fortress. The winners arrived at the destination by horse-drawn carriage, enjoyed a “blood-enriching meal” and slept in red velvet-laced coffins.
Planning to Visit? A Few Details You Should Know
Visiting Bran Castle in Transylvania is going to be a remarkable experience that will leave you with many beautiful memories – and some cool photos. Just make sure to plan your trip and avoid missing out on things.
Visiting Hours
Low season: OCTOBER 1 – MARCH 31
Monday: 12 PM – 4 PM
Tuesday–Sunday: 9 AM – 4 PM
Last Admission: 4 PM
High Season: APRIL 1 – SEPTEMBER 30
Monday: 12 PM – 6 PM
Tuesday–Sunday: 9 AM – 6 PM
Last Admission: 6 PM
How to Get to Bran Castle?
The castle is sited at the entrance to the Rucăr – Bran passage, on the road connecting Braşov to Câmpulung.
The most popular ways to get here are by car (via road E60) and by train. The castle is less than 30 km far from Braşov.
We’ve shared more in-depth information about how to get from Bucharest, Romania’s capital, to Brasov in a previous article. Take a look.
Tours to Brasov: Make the Most Out of Your Visit
The easiest way to make good use of your time in Transylvania is to book one of our tours to Brasov. We’ll help guide your choices and ensure you’re not missing out on anything.
Here are three of the most popular packages we offer:
For any additional information, call us today at 40 735 525 710.