Dracula’s Castle For Sale

The castle in Transylvania, Romania, that inspired Bram Stocker’s Dracula, is up for sale. Stoker never actually visited the castle but his book was based on descriptions of it in turn of the century England. It is Bran Castle and dates back to the 13^th century.

The castle was used in the 1400’s as a defense against the Ottoman Empire. Even though Dracula is a fictitious character he is believed to be loosely based on Vlad the Dragon who rued the region in the mid-15^th century. Vlad was also known as ‘Vlad the Impaler’ and Vlad Dracul (Dragon).

Today the castle is a tourist attraction in Romania but the descendants of the Romanian Royal Family that own the castle want to sell it. They have offered to sell it to the government for $80 million but they are entertaining other offers. They would like to see the place turned into some kind of Bed & Breakfast where people would like to stay for a couple of days.

Philly.com