Dracula: History and Myth

Posts Tagged: dracula

A multi-lingual sign about Castle Poenari

I just found this old photo I took of a large sign at the base of the mountain atop which Castle Poenari is situated. I’ve zoomed in and cropped out the English language portions, and also the map of the region, which may be useful if you’re planning to visit the area. Please see my articles about my visit to Castle Poenari, as well as my article about getting to Poenari. Here are just the…Continue Reading →

My cemetery photos from Sighișoara, Romania

Here are some more cemetery pics from my first big trip across Transylvania, in October 2005. Sighișoara is the birthplace of Vlad Țepeș, aka Vlad the Impaler, aka Dracula; see my recent posts about Dracula’s childhood home and the bust of him nearby. Sighișoara is a beautiful medieval town, much of which is situated within a 12th-century citadel. More pics of that coming soon. The first group of photos are tombstones that are scattered around…Continue Reading →

My top ten vampire movies

Here are my top ten vampire movies, in no particular order! It was so hard to choose exactly ten! These are the vampire movies that I can watch over and over again forever. Let the Right One In (2008) Beautiful, dark. Make sure to watch the Swedish version, and make sure you’re watching it with the good subtitles instead of the bad ones! This is crucial! Info about that here. Daybreakers (2009) A really intriguing…Continue Reading →

Vlad the Impaler’s childhood home in Sighișoara, Romania

These pictures are from my trip to Sighișoara, Romania in 2006. During this whole big trip across Transylvania I wanted to visit as many Dracula-related spots as I could. I’d heard that Vlad’s birthplace had been turned into a touristy restaurant, and as I approached it was immediately clear this was correct! One small regret I have from this trip is that, as I was backpacking and hitchhiking and traveling with very little money, I…Continue Reading →

Bust of Vlad Țepeș in Sighișoara

Bust of Vlad Țepeș, aka Vlad the Impaler, aka Dracula, in Sighișoara, Romania. This bust is situated across from the house where Vlad Țepeș was born in 1431. The house is now a restaurant. I took this photo in 2005; many more pics and stories from that trip coming soon…

Dracula Untold

Wow, a new movie that appears to be (mostly) about the historical Dracula! I’m cautiously optimistic! Check out the trailer for Dracula Untold: As a huge fan of horror literature, horror films, the historical Dracula, and the fictional Dracula, I’m really excited for this film. It’s like it was made for me. And check out the official site for the film! It’s beautiful and spooky!

See Castlevania First

I love this parody Castlevania poster by ninjaink on deviantART: Wallachia or Walachia is a historical and geographical region of Transylvania. It is situated north of the Danube and south of the Southern Carpathians. Wallachia is sometimes referred to as Muntenia (Greater Wallachia), through identification with the larger of its two traditional sections; the smaller being Oltenia (Lesser Wallachia). It is known as being the home of Castlevania, the ancestral castle of Count Vlad Dracula,…Continue Reading →

DRAC — a Romanian Princess’ dog, buried in a cemetery outside Paris

I was wandering around Le Cimetière des Chiens — the Dog Cemetery in Asnières-sur-Seine, just outside Paris, on a gloomy day a few weeks ago and noticed this tomb for Drac, a dog belonging to a Romanian Princess! The inscription on Drac’s tomb translates as follows: DRAC 1941-1953 Loyal companion during tragic times Precious friend in exile S. M. Queen Elisabeth Princess of Romania A little research reveals that “Queen Elisabeth, Princess of Romania” is…Continue Reading →

Goths banned from ‘Dracula’ graveyard

Thanks, Megan, for this link! A rector has banned “Goths” from posing for photos in a graveyard after catching dozens lounging on tombs. Gothic rock fans flock to Whitby’s historic St Mary’s Church in North Yorkshire during Whitby Goth Weekend to be snapped by photographers in the graveyard. The cemetery is the place Dracula takes his victim Lucy Westernra during the night in Bram Stoker’s classic novel, overlooked by the imposing abbey. Read the whole…Continue Reading →