Dracula: History and Myth

Posts Tagged: vlad tepes

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 →

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!

A map of Castle Poenari

This metal sign is near the castle, but I somehow didn’t notice it during my visit. A lady who’d contacted me with some questions before her own trip to Poenari took this photo and shared it with me when she got back. I did my best to translate the Romanian with Google Translate and Wikipedia, but there are definitely some things that could use some clarification; please feel free to send me corrections if you’re…Continue Reading →

Vlad Tepes documentary

I recently ran across this great documentary about the historical Dracula on YouTube. There are a few really cool shots of Castle Poenari in the snow. I was there in October, near Halloween, when it was chilly and a bit cloudy, but I’d love to see the place in wintertime like that. The documentary also tells some of my favorite weird stories about Dracula, like how he used to keep a golden chalice in the…Continue Reading →

My Dracula rock

I try not to collect things; I try not to own things. Of all of my adventures all over Europe (about twenty countries in the last few years), I’ve only ever kept one souvenir: this small rock that I pried out of the earth within the walls of Cetatea Poenari — the castle built by Vlad Ţepeş, aka Vlad the Impaler, aka Dracula — in the Transylvania region of Romania. It’s about an inch and…Continue Reading →

Videos from Castle Poenari

I used the video feature of my digital camera for just about the first time ever while I was at the top of Castle Poenari, to try to document a little bit about the layout and size of the place. The first one is a video showing the entrance into the tower archway, the room below, and the open ceiling above.   The second is a look around from the highest point of the castle….Continue Reading →