The Transylvanian castle said to be Dracula’s home is now up for sale. Bran Castle, built in the 13th century, is located in the countryside, with the closest town a few miles away.
Many people have occupied the castle over the years, including knights and warriors. However, its most well known inhabitant is Vlad “The Impaler Tepes, who was said to be imprisoned there sometime in the 15th century.
Vlad of the House of Draculesti, made Dracula’s name famous. It is said that Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, saw images of Bran Castle and used that as inspiration for the home of Dracula. Stoker’s description of Dracula’s castle is also the perfect description for Bran Castle: “The castle is on the very edge of a terrific precipice. A stone falling from the window would fall a thousand feet without touching anything!”
However, the castle’s official website says that Vlad the Impaler’s real castle now sits in ruins in the Principality of Wallachia. The reason Bran Castle is called Dracula’s castle, is that it is the only castle in Transylvania that fits the description of Dracula’s home.
The Habsburgs, the descendants of Queen Victoria of Britain, now own Bran castle. All three of the siblings are in their 70s, and they do not have the energy and time to renovate and maintain the castle.
Reports say that the property was offered to the Romanian government for $85 million. Mark Meyer, who is handling the sale of the castle, refuses to disclose the real price. He said that the owners are looking for the “right” buyers. “It doesn’t have to do with class, it has to do with who will preserve the castle,” he said.
According to reports, the castle is making profit, but it still has a big potential to generate even more profit when renovated.
Bran Castle, Transylvania
Image via Wikimedia Commons