Bran Castle, often referred to as **Dracula's Castle**, is a historic fortress located in **Bran**, a town in central Romania, near the city of **Brașov**. It is perched on a cliff in the **Carpathian Mountains**, strategically positioned on the border between the regions of **Transylvania** and **Wallachia**.
### Key Features of Bran Castle:
1. **History:**
- The castle was built in **1377** by Hungarian King **Louis I of Anjou** to defend the strategically important mountain pass against invading forces.
- Over the centuries, it served various military purposes, and it was later used as a royal residence.
- The castle gained worldwide fame due to its connection with **Bram Stoker's 1897 novel "Dracula"**, even though Stoker never visited the castle. It is believed that Bran Castle inspired the fictional castle of Count Dracula.
2. **Architecture:**
- The castle is a **medieval fortress**, characterized by **Gothic** architectural elements, such as narrow windows, steep roofs, and defensive walls.
- Its design includes a series of towers, bastions, and a drawbridge that create a distinctive and imposing silhouette.
- The interior features **museum displays**, including royal artifacts, furniture, and historical exhibits that depict its past as both a military stronghold and royal residence.
3. **Connection to Dracula:**
- Despite the link to **Bram Stoker's Dracula**, there is no evidence that Stoker had Bran Castle specifically in mind when creating his fictional castle. However, its dramatic appearance, along with its association with the Transylvanian region, has contributed to its association with the Dracula myth.
- Some elements of the castle’s architecture and setting reflect the dark, eerie atmosphere Stoker created in his book.
4. **Tourism:**
- Today, Bran Castle is a major tourist attraction. Visitors can explore its **towers**, **dungeons**, **armory**, and the **rooms** once inhabited by the royal family.
- The castle is open to the public year-round, with special events and exhibits hosted during the summer months.
- In addition to its historical value, it has become part of Romania’s cultural identity, with many tourists visiting to learn about its history and its ties to the Dracula legend.
5. **Royal Ownership:**
- In the 1920s, the castle became the royal residence of **Queen Marie of Romania**, who made several improvements to the interior and added a personal touch to its decor. The castle remained in the royal family until the monarchy was abolished in 1947 by the communist regime.
- In 2006, after a long legal battle, the Romanian government returned the castle to the descendants of the former royal family.
### Modern Day:
Bran Castle is now a museum, drawing visitors interested in its history, architecture, and the Dracula legend. It’s an important cultural landmark for Romania and a symbol of its medieval heritage.