Bran Castle

Bran Castle was originally a kind of customs checkpoint guarding a mountain pass. Perhaps because of its rugged appearance it has become associated with the Bram Stoker Dracula story, although the place has nothing to do historically with either Stoker or Vlad Dracula. It’s more associated with the royal family of Romania, who were ousted following the communist takeover at the end of the second world war. The children and grandchildren of the last prince got the title to the place restored after a long legal fight, and now operate it as a major tourist attraction.

Bran Castle © Harold Davis

Related story: Castle Corvin.