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The Scene for Stokers Dracula was set in Transylvania in Romania. Although Bram did not get to travel to Romania, he did read a lot of books on anything to do with Vlad and the historical places associated with him.

Tales of the Supernatural have been in Romanian Folklore for centuries. Some people believe that Transylvania sits on the strongest electromagnic field on earth and this is why there is a strong incidence of esp amongst its people. In a country full of myths and legends their people believe you should never hang around crossroads on St George Day and the eve of St Andrew as you just may meet a Vampire.

I have mentioned that the inspiration for one of our most well loved Vamp novels was Vlad Tepes AKA Vlad Dracula or Vlad the Impaler. This ruler lived a short and violent life but never the less had a very interesting history. Vlad was born in Sighisoara in Romania but spent his whole adult life in Walachia where he ruled from 1456 to 1462 in between imprisonment in Hungary and Pest. He was born the second son of Vlad Dracul and Princess Cneajna of Moldavia. Vlads family were exiled to Transylvania when his father was ousted by Boyars working for Ottomon Sultan when Vlad was just a youngster. In the end on the threat of invasion from the Sultan, Vlads father was forced to give up his two younger sons as hostages. At the age of 5 Vlad was inducted into the order of the Dragon as his father and Grandfather were before him. The Order of the Dragon was created in Hungary in the late middle ages and its initiates were sworn to uphold the cross and fight the enemies of Christianity.

Vlad first came to the crown when he was 17,the same year he was released from prison in Hungary. The Sultan put him there as a puppet ruler and his reign was short. When coming into power Vlad immediately had all the Boyars (Nobles) arrested and the older ones and their families were impaled. The rest he forced into hard labor as he set about rebuilding the ruins of Poienari Castle which he wanted for his stronghold.

Vlad lived a violent life and was beheaded in a battle with the Turks near Bucharest in 1476. His head was sent to Istanbul where the Sultan put it on display as proof that he was dead.

For those of you who are interested in following the life and times of Vlad The Impaler…his country is full of stories and historical places you can check out.

You can visit the home that Vlad was born in Sighisoara which is now a Restaurant and a museum for medieval arms. Snagov Monastery is where legend has it Vlads remains are buried. Poenari Fortress is the original Dracula Castle.

Note: Vlad lived in a time of great history and this is a very scaled down version of his life. He lived in a time of War and Political turmoil,where a person lived by sword and died by the sword.

As for Bram Stokers Dracula

“We Draculas have a right to be proud… I am the last of my kind”