Did you know Count Dracula is believed to have been a real person?
While stories have long depicted him as a vampire with a thirst for blood, many historians think he was actually a Wallachian Prince. Vlad Dracula, also known as Vlad the Impaler, ruled during the late 1400s and was known most widely for the cruel & unusual punishment of his enemies.
the real count dracula
The Story That Started It All
Following the publication of Bram Stoker’s Dracula in 1897, Transylvania became world-famous for its ties to this storybook character. Set among the Carpathian Mountains in central Romania, this was also home to Vlad the Impaler. While the fictitious Dracula had supernatural powers (hypnosis, shape-shifting, and the power to control animals) the real-life Vlad earned his reputation for brutality without any such magic. Strangely enough, the name Dracula means devil in Wallachian, his native language.
Visiting Transylvania Today
If you visit Transylvania today you will, without a doubt, see and hear all about Dracula. The former Prince lived in several castles that still stand today. Bran Castle, also referred to as Dracula’s Castle, attracted more than 835,000 tourists in 2018 alone. Ironic considering Vlad never actually lived there. But it’s easy to see how the gothic appearance combined with tales of horror might make for the perfect tourist attraction.
Just for Fun
Now that you know a little bit of the history, try your hand at drawing Dracula’s Castle!
