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Bran, Romania (May 2006)

Bran, Romania is in Brasov County, Romania. The main attraction putting Bran on the map is the medieval Bran Castle. Perched high atop a 200-foot-high rock overlooking Bran, it is the purported setting for Count Dracula, in Bram Stoker's “Dracula". Persistent myths are that it was once the home of Vlad Tepes, ruler of Walachia. While the association with Dracula is sketchy at best, the castle is a popular tourist attraction, which holds a strong attraction for Count Dracula fans. Bran Castle was built on the site of a Teutonic Knights stronghold dating from 1212. From 1920 to 1957, Bran Castle served as royal residence of Queen Marie of Romania. It was a gift of the people of Brasov to her. The castle is now a museum displaying art and furniture collected by Queen Marie. Its narrow winding stairways leading through some 60 timbered rooms, many connected by spooky underground passages, make it an apt setting to perpetuate the Dracula legend.
Bran, Romania cover page.
Bran, Romania cover page.		 Map of Romania with a star indicating Bran's location.
Map of Romania with a star indicating Bran's location.		 Frontal southern view of Bran Castle which is on the top of a rock.
Frontal southern view of Bran Castle which is on the top of a rock.		 The castle belonged to Mircea the Wise, grandfather of Vlad Tepes (Dracula) between 1395-1427.
The castle belonged to Mircea the Wise, grandfather of Vlad Tepes (Dracula) between 1395-1427.
Picture of Vlad Tepes (also known as Vlad the Impaler) who the Dracula myth is based on.
Picture of Vlad Tepes (also known as Vlad the Impaler) who the Dracula myth is based on.		 Vlad Tepes never lived in Bran Castle, but, instead, in one without a tourist road going to it!
Vlad Tepes never lived in Bran Castle, but, instead, in one without a tourist road going to it!		 Queen Marie (1875-1938) lived in the castle in the early 20th century. She furnished much of it.
Queen Marie (1875-1938) lived in the castle in the early 20th century. She furnished much of it.		 The communists stole the castle & possessions. It was returned to the rightful heirs in 2006.
The communists stole the castle & possessions. It was returned to the rightful heirs in 2006.
The steep stairs leading up to the entrance of Bran Castle.
The steep stairs leading up to the entrance of Bran Castle.		 Me on the stairs leading up to the entrance.
Me on the stairs leading up to the entrance.		 Lamp in front of the entrance to Bran Castle.
Lamp in front of the entrance to Bran Castle.		 Door knocker on the front door of Bran Castle.
Door knocker on the front door of Bran Castle.
Interior shot of Bran Castle with fireplace.
Interior shot of Bran Castle with fireplace.		 A fabulous wooden chest in the castle.
A fabulous wooden chest in the castle.		 An unusual looking piece of furniture.
An unusual looking piece of furniture.		 Me standing next to Queen Marie's 18th century, Baroque style, rose wood, baldaquin bed.
Me standing next to Queen Marie's 18th century, Baroque style, rose wood, baldaquin bed.
As one can see, Queen Marie furnished it well. Sorry to spoil the myth, but it's not spooky!
As one can see, Queen Marie furnished it well. Sorry to spoil the myth, but it's not spooky!		 Nice makeup table and furnishings for Queen Marie!
Nice makeup table and furnishings for Queen Marie!		 It looks good, but I don't know how comfortable this chair is!
It looks good, but I don't know how comfortable this chair is!		 Playing along with the Dracula myth, I would rather be strangled than impaled!
Playing along with the Dracula myth, I would rather be strangled than impaled!
View of the courtyard, tower and rooftops of Bran Castle.
View of the courtyard, tower and rooftops of Bran Castle.		 A view from Bran Castle facing south.
A view from Bran Castle facing south.		 More rooftops of Bran Castle.
More rooftops of Bran Castle.		 Me standing on an upper balcony of Bran Castle.
Me standing on an upper balcony of Bran Castle.
The fountain in the courtyard conceals a labyrinth of secret underground passages.
The fountain in the courtyard conceals a labyrinth of secret underground passages.		 To the north of the castle is an open-air Village Museum adjoining a pond.
To the north of the castle is an open-air Village Museum adjoining a pond.

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fanjetuk16-Jan-2007 19:21
I've been here, 1974
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