Trick-or-treating could never compare to a night spent in Romania’s Bran Castle.
It ’s fair to say that Dracula ’s Castle — practically teetering atop a steep cliff inTransylvania — is striking . Its true name isBran Castle , but the fort gained its sobriquet and fabled status when author Bram Stoker base his famous lamia novel in this location . And though the Irish author had never been toRomania , he chose the plate of Dracula simply by count at a exposure . It ’s just that telling . Which means the castle ’s underground passages , narrow wandering stairway , and mystic tunnel are the perfect location for one of Europe ’s big Halloween bashes .
Before you get into the revelry and wander theestate ’s dark shadows , you might be inquire if the area has any literal ties to the don of all vampires . After all , at first glance , though the castle is convincingly imposing enough , the environ town seems downright pleasant . Idyllic Bran Village sit in the vale backdropped by the Carpathian Mountains , looking like a townsfolk from a knightly years .
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But it turns out more than just a photo drew the author ofDraculato Bran Castle . The building itself start as a fortress , and though it undergo several makeovers ( like when it was the royal mansion of Queen Maria of Romania ) , it was once a defense reaction battleground against the Ottoman Empire . And one of the most fabled warrior in the conflict with the Ottomans wasVlad the Impaler , who last in this area and was notable for transfix his foeman on stakes . Most notably , because his founding father was in the Order of the Dragon ( who were tax with slaying the fight back army ) , he was also known as the son of the tartar , or Drăculea .
Vlad was quite the terrific grampus , to be sure — but where does the whole blood - sucking matter come in ? That part was actually pulled from local Romanian myths . hoi polloi here once speak ofstrigoi , creature that can rise from the beat , become invisible or metamorphose into an brute , and feed on people ’s blood .
absorb by these legends , Stoker combined the local traditional knowledge with the formidable physical body of Vlad III Drăculea , and the foreboding field of battle castle in the middle of it all . Though there ’s also no grounds that Vlad ever step foot on the castle grounds — or was , you know , undead — that has n’t stopped the locals from encompass the connexion . After all , myth always supersedes realness . It did n’t take long for visitors to start flocking to Transylvania , hoping toexperience some spine - prickle thrill .
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And the grandchildren of Queen Maria , owners of the castle , knew what the people wanted . The owner opened up the palace to the public in 2009 with a Halloween event . “ The first variation had only a night enlistment , between 6 pm and midnight ” say Alexandru Priscu , marketing managing director for Bran Castle . “ And , as far as I think of , there were little over 400 guest attend . ”
But the night tours started getting so democratic — exceeding 1,800 visitors — that the organizers image the potential for more . “ We realized the twelvemonth before that the people attending on Halloween were very much willing to proceed the dark term of enlistment — with a company , ” says Priscu . So in 2012 , they settle to go all out . “ Ever since then , except in 2020 and 2021 , the political party grew and became quite far-famed across the world . ”
Now one of Romania ’s best - know , lore - filled landmarks is home to the ultimate soiree on the scariest nighttime of the year . Though you couldgo on a day turn , wipe out at thecastle eating house , enter theTime burrow , or impose anexhibit consecrate to local folklore(including lycanthrope and the Grim Reaper ) , after dark is when all the adult - only fun begin .
Castelul Bran
On November 2 , visitant can embark on with anight tour , where guides lead guests through the castle while break stories of wraith and strigoi in Bran Village . Afterwards , there ’s the option to walk through the secluded passageway of the Magic Time Tunnel for an interactional experience below the castle . The journeying begins with an elevator ride 100 animal foot down an old well pecker to an abandoned gallery . The infinite has been fit out with light and audio core , fog machine , and even facial expression sleuthing , so be disposed to have your senses mess with .
The next case for the night is the feast . Before the company begins , guests dine on a four - course dinner at Queen Marie ’s Tea House . You could say the repast helps build up their stamina for the even ahead . During the party , guests can get into their best wearing apparel and dance the night aside at Royal Park . The political party , fete , Magic Time Tunnel , and tour altogethercost about $ 450 . The political party runs all dark from 11 pm till 4 am , so you could build some liquid courage should you come across any capable coffins .
And it might not be a bad idea to bring a cross or bit of garlic with you .
Castelul Bran
Castelul Bran
Castelul Bran
Castelul Bran
