The famous and mythic Bran Castle, or popularly known as Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania has been put on sale. A Habsburg heir is hoping someone might turn up to accept this national landmark according to a US based investment company. However, no pricing has been fixed yet.
Back in 1212, Bran castle was built as a stronghold by Teutonic Knights. By 1938 the building started acting as a defense against the Turks, and later became a customs check post on the mountain pass between Transylvania and Walachia. From 1920 to 1948, the castle became the residence of royal family and later it became the museum of medieval arts. This structure is basically known for its unique architecture and it is famous because of myths that once it housed Vlad the Impaler, an infamous medieval warlord, whose cruelty inspired Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel ‘Dracula’.
It is not confirmed that Vlad the Impaler ever lived in this castle. But there are stories that he spent two days in the Bran Dungeon. Because of the disputed connection between Vlad the Impaler and fictitious character Count Dracula, the Bran castle is commonly known as ‘Dracula Castle‘ among the visitors. Credit goes to Bram Stoker, who surely had some inspiration of Vlad the Impaler while creating the character of Dracula. He also used Bran castle as his model of dracula’s castle. This castle became more and more famous with every sitation of this castle in various Dracula movies till date, and has someday became informally known as Dracula Castle.
Local people also take every measure to boost the rumour. The local economy make use of the dracula connection of the castle to boost tourism. A small market exists at the castle gate selling numerous articles connected to Dracula and Vampires. In recent years the castle saw bats flying around in twilights have strengthened the story of vampires and lured film makers from various part of the world to come forward and start shooting documentaries on the castle.
In May 2006, the castle was returned to Princess Ileana’s son, Dominic Habsburg. He offered to sell the castle last year also to local authorities for $80 million, but the offer was rejected. This year also he has put up the castle for sale to the right people under right circumstances. He predicted that the castle will be sold to a proper person ‘who will treat the property and its history with appropriate respect’. In his words,
Aside from the castle’s connection to one of the most famous novels ever written, Bran Castle is steeped in critical events of European history dating from the 14th century to the present.
The castle has been officially put for sale on the market Monday. Though no selling price is specified, they expect something around $ 135 million. The government can also have a priority to buy the national landmark, provided they can provide the best price. Now it is time to cross our fingers and wait to see the next owner of this most infamous castle.
