Beyond Dracula: The Heart of Bran Castle

Who would have thought that the world-famous "Castle of Dracula" would have a heartwarming and vibrant story beyond the horror legends everyone knows?

Bran Castle had its beginnings entirely unrelated to vampires. It was simply a tax collector's fortress, built in 1377 by a Hungarian king to control the trade route between Transylvania and Wallachia. At that time, the only sound was the sound of horses and the wind blowing through the valley.

The story of "Dracula" came to life hundreds of years later, when Irish author Bram Stoker wrote his novel "Dracula" in 1897. Although he had never visited the castle, the image of the castle perched on a cliff inspired the world to imagine a vampire's lair. Since then, Bran Castle has become a symbol of horror.

But for Romanians, a heartwarming true story began in 1920, when the castle was given to Queen Marie of Romania. She transformed the cold stone tower into a loving and warm holiday home, decorated with flowers, artwork, and local artifacts from the surrounding villages.

Queen Marie was a highly compassionate woman. During the war, she worked as a nurse herself, establishing a field hospital and caring for wounded soldiers, earning her the nickname "Mother of the Wounded."
This legacy of compassion was continued by her favorite daughter, Princess Elena, who reopened the castle as a field hospital until Bran Castle was seized during the communist era, and it was returned to the royal family in 2009.

Today, the castle exhibits Queen Marie and Princess Elena's personal belongings, including nurse's uniforms, diaries, and old photographs. As you wander through the rooms, you'll realize that this is not a home for legendary vampires, but a "home of the heart," filled with stories of love and compassion.

📍 Bran Castle, Brașov, Romania

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Post by Mr. Choon | Oct 12, 2025