Dracula stigma?

Well I am back in India…back to the grind after three months stay in Romania. The moment I stepped in Bucharest, I was flooded up with lot of questions… some answered and few still unanswered. One of the questions, which was quiet an over-rated was that of link between Romania and Count Dracula….Did u see him??…did u meet him??…how does he look like??…etc..etc.. I had enough of it and think it’s the right time to clarify this one, even if it took bit long. So, what about this Dracula stigma? Did such a person ever exist or was he simply a fictional character of Bram Stoker’s famous 1897 novel? In short, yes, he existed. However, the vampire notion is entirely fictional. Stoker’s inspiration for the Count Dracula character came from Vlad Dracul, a fifteenth century Romanian prince known for his exceedingly cruel punishments imposed during his reign. The most famous of these punishments was impalement, which earned Vlad the nickname “the Impaler”. Unfortunately, Vlad the Impaler’s original castle is nothing but a pile of rubble.

However, Dracula’s unofficial castle can be found in the town of Bran, about 20 miles south of Brasov. Bran Castle’s towering white walls, red-hued shingles, and threatening towers combine for a truly breathtaking site. The mystery and folklore surrounding Vlad Dracula’s involvement in the castle’s history add a sense of intrigue that will leave you hanging on the tour guide’s every word. You’ll climb through secret passageways, hear tales of violent battles and brutal impalement, and stand atop soaring turrets.

Romania’s most famous fictional citizen, Dracula, has certainly become a key promotional tool for the Romanian tourism industry. Even with the fallacy surrounding the Dracula myth, Romania’s tourism industry would be foolish not to use the legend of Dracula to attract visitors. So, if you’re feeling courageous and willing for an adventurous journey into the past, a rewarding and eye-opening experience is soon to follow back there in Romania, and who knows… maybe you turn out to be the lucky one and meet Dracula in person.