Bran Castle, "Dracula's Castle", Brasov, Transylvania, Romania

Bran Castle, also known as "Dracula's Castle", was built as a fortrress on a mountain in Transylvania, Romania, in the late 1300's, and used in defense against the Ottoman Empire in the early 1400's. Originally owned by Hungarian Kings, it became part of Romania in 1920, when Hungary ceded Transylvania to Romania in the Treaty of Trianon. The castle quickly became the favorite residence of Queen Marie of Romania. In World War II, it was used as a hospital. Currently, it is owned by the heirs of Queen Marie, and is operated as a privately held museum, featuring the art and furniture collections of the Queen.

Contrary to popular lore, it has nothing to do with Bram Stoker's "Dracula", and there is no evidence that Bram Sroker was even aware of the existence of the castle. It does have a slight association with Vlad the Impaler, the supposed inspiration for Dracula, who apparently passed through the Bran Gorge several times in the mid-1400's.

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