Europe

[Visited: July 2020]

We have arrived the evening before, directly from spotting bears in the wild north of Zărnești. It is early evening, and in our search for accommodation, we get a glimpse of the famous castle of Bran. We soon discover that, even in Covid-19 times, Bran feels like a very touristy place. Every other house offers accommodation, there are restaurants, bars, souvenir shops... The next day, we make sure to be up early, and when we arrive at the castle, find out it is not open yet. We walk around a small park, get another distant glimpse of the castle that rises straight above the rocky outcrop on which it is built. When we walk to the castle again, the souvenir stalls are opening up. Fortunately, we are the very first to buy an overpriced ticket, and make our way up to the castle.
On the way, we see banners with Dracula, and even social distancing pictures in which Dracula plays a role. During the communist years, the government marketed Bran castle as being Dracula castle, but historians have not found any proof that the infamous Vlad the Impaler ever called Bran castle his home. He probably never even set foot in the castle; claims that he was imprisoned here are also unlikely. Instead, Bran castle was a preferred home to Queen Marie, who had it renovated in the 1920s after it was transferred to the royal family from the Saxons of Braşov. Her daughter, Princess Ileana, transformed the castle to a hospital in the Second World War. The castle was confiscated when the royals were expelled in 1948, sending Ileana into exile in the United States, where she founded the first Englishh speaking Orthodox monastery.
After walking up the rather steep path, we enter the high-walled castle, and since we are still the only visitors, decide to leave the courtyard for later, and walk the tour. There is a permanent exhibition of the furniture and art used by Queen Marie, in beautiful rooms with dark wooden floors, and ceilings supported by sturdy wooden beams. This is not the eccentric collection of items we have seen the day before in Peleș castle, but a modest display of household objects that everyone can relate to. When we have seen all rooms, and enjoyed the views from the top floor, we walk back to the courtyard, and see other visitors arriving. The courtyard is surprisingly small, with buildings rising high above it on all sides. We walk around the castle, to the backside, and find a way to get out of the fence. We cross the Turcu river, climb a very steep hill for a great view of Bran castle with its impressive setting and dramatic towers. When we are back in town, it is already overflowing with tourists: it is time to leave.

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Personal travel impressions both in words and images from Bran castle (Romania). Clicking on the pictures enlarges them and enables you to send the picture as a free e-card or download it for personal use, for instance, on your weblog. Or click on the map above to visit more places close to Bran castle.
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Bran castle > Romania > Europe

[Visited: July 2020]

Around the World in 80 Clicks

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