Term
|
Definition
| Targoviste is one of the places were Vlad Dracul spent his first years, especially when he received his education. One of the most interesting places to visit is the Chindia Watchtower. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Curtea de Arges, the former capital of Wallachia, is the region where Vlad actually ruled (not Transylvania, like many people seem to believe). In Curtea de Arges, tourists are able to visit the 14th century Princely Court. The Princely Church has one of the oldest Romanian frescoes interiors, as they portray some of the first examples of Romanian paintings. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Sighisoara, a medieval city located in Transylvania, is the place where Vlad was born (according to most sources). Founded by Saxons during 12th century, this city is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, and UNESCO designated it as a World Heritage Site. The cobbled streets, towers, burgher houses and ornate churches are perfectly intact since the 16th century. Vlad Dracul’s house where he was born and lived with his father for a short period of time is located in the Citadel Square, next to the Clock Tower. The house still stands and serves as a restaurant on the ground floor and Museum of Weapons on the first floor. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Bran Castle is what inspired Dracula’s Castle in Bram Stoker’s book. Although the castle was owned at some point by Vlad, as well as other Wallachian rulers, it was not his main residence. However, the castle’s architecture and location, dating from the 14th century, make it seem like the perfect castle surrounded by mystery. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The ruins of the Poenari Fortress still stay strong high on a cliff, overlooking the Arges River, just at the foothills of the Carpathians Mountains, in a truly fairytale location. The first Wallachian rulers built the fortress at the beginning of the 13th century. The fortress was left in ruins, but Vlad recognized its potential and he ordered that the structure be consolidated and repaired, turning it into his main fortress during his reign. The fortress has no less than 1.462 steps that you need to climb in order to reach it. The fortress was completely abandoned in the 16th century and a portion of it crashed into the river because of a landslide. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Fringed by the peaks of the Southern Carpathian Mountains and resplendent with gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture, as well as a wealth of historical attractions, Brasov is one of the most visited places in Romania. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The Snagov Monastery is considered to by Vlad the Impaler’s final resting place, as his grave can be found there. The monastery was built in 1364 and it’s believed that monks were those who found Vlad’s remains in nearby forests after he was assassinated by his enemies. |
|
|
