Dracula’s Castle Is Now For Sale

Dracula’s castle is currently being sold in Transylvania, Romania. Bran Castle was made famous as the setting for Bram Stoker’s Gothic horror novel Dracula. Although it is currently owned by Archduke Dominic, a real estate agent said he is ready to sell.

In 1377, Hungarian King Louis the Great granted the people of Brasov permission to build a castle. Although it took 11 years, the castle was completed in 1388. Originally serving as a fortress, Bran Castle was built on a steep cliff, which towers above the picturesque Moeciu Valley.

Throughout history, the castle served as a customs depot, a refuge, a military complex, and a personal residence. However, the castle’s most notorious inhabitant was Vlad “The Impaler” Tepes.

A member of the House of Dr?cule?ti, Tepes has a reputation as a cruel and ruthless leader. He was given the nickname Vlad The Impaler, as he often tortured and killed his victims by impaling them on large stakes. Even more gruesome, Vlad often left his victims hanging from the stakes as a warning to others. Historical illustrations suggest the woods were littered with hundreds, if not thousands, of impaled corpses.

As reported by The Telegraph, Vlad was rumored to have spent several months imprisoned in Bran Castle. Although Bram Stoker never confirmed the character Count Dracula was based on Vlad The Impaler, it is widely accepted as fact.

Stoker admittedly never traveled to Romania. However, his description of Dracula’s Castle closely resembles Bran Castle. As discussed by Bran-Castle.com, Stoker likely referred to illustrations of Bran Castle while writing his infamous book:

“He depicted the imaginary Dracula’s castle based upon a description of Bran Castle that was available to him… he imaginary depiction of Dracula’s Castle from the etching in the first edition of Dracula is strikingly similar to Bran Castle and no other in all of Romania. Stoker is widely purported to have used the illustration of Bran Castle in Charles Boner’s book, Transylvania: Its Product and Its People… to describe his imaginary Dracula’s Castle.”

Although the price has not been revealed, Dracula’s Castle is now for sale. Attorney Mark Meyer is handling the sale of the estate. Meyer admits the property is in disrepair. However, the castle’s notorious history and eerie reputation certainly add to its appeal.

Meyer hopes the buyer will consider make the necessary repairs and “continue running it as a tourist destination. Although the castle attracts numerous visitors every day, Meyer said the profits are disappointing. If the property is fully restored, Meyer believes the castle will attract more tourists and generate a reasonable profit.

Dracula’s Castle remains one of the world’s most mysterious and interesting tourist attractions.

[Image via FoundWalls]