Bran Castle (Castelul Bran) Guide

Perched high on a rock in the midst of Transylvanian forest, Bran Castle, named after the Romanian word for gate or fortified place, is one of Romania’s most famous attractions, thanks to its connections with Bram Stoker’s novel, ‘Dracula’. In fact, Stoker cites his further north than Bran Castle, but its Gothic towers, winding corridors and labyrinth of secret passages fit the image of the vampire’s home so perfectly that it has been dubbed Dracula’s Castle. Built between 1377 and 1382 as a palace and military fortress, it was once the residence of Queen Maria of Romania, the granddaughter of Queen Victoria, whose heart is reputed to have been found hidden in the castle in a silver box. Nowadays, visitors who dare enter the eerie chambers can see collections of furniture, weaponry and armour, and admire the well-preserved Gothic architecture.

Castelul Bran, 498 Traian Mosoiu Street, Bran, Romania
Tel: (068) 238 332

Air: Bucharest Otopeni Airport. Rail: Brasov Station. Road: Coach: Services to Bran (from Brasov). Car: Drum National Road 1, then National Road 73A and National Road 73 (from Bucharest); National Road 71, then National Road 72A and National Road 73 (from Bucuresti).

Ministerul Turismului (Ministry of Tourism)
Strada Apolodor 17, Sector 5, Bucharest 570633, Romania
Tel: (01) 410 0491. Fax: (01) 336 6784. E-mail: turism@kappa.ro
Website: www.mturism.ro or www.MTRomania.or
Romanian National Tourist Office
22 New Cavendish Street, London W1H 8TT, UK
Tel: (020) 7224 3692. Fax: (020) 7935 6435. E-mail: uktouroff@romania.freeserve.co.uk

Romania