At first glance, the castle looks like a set for a Gothic movie: massive stone walls, narrow windows, sharp towers and heavy wooden doors. When the sun disappears behind the mountains, everything around is immersed in a thick fog, and the castle seems to come to life. At such moments, it's easy to imagine a figure in a black raincoat quietly gliding through its dark corridors.
The legend of Dracula became known all over the world thanks to the novel by the Irish writer Bram Stoker, published at the end of the 19th century. His character is a mysterious vampire count who lives in a gloomy castle and goes hunting at night. The image of Dracula is partly inspired by the historical figure of the cruel ruler Vlad Tepes, who ruled in the 15th century and inspired fear in his enemies.
It is believed that the prototype of the castle from the novel was Bran Castle in Romania. It stands on a steep cliff and towers over the road, as if guarding the entrance to Transylvania. Narrow staircases, hidden passageways and antique rooms create the feeling that time has stopped here.
But the real magic of this place appears at night. The wind whistles in the towers, wooden floors creak softly, and long shadows from candles dance on the walls. Some visitors admit that they feel a strange chill here and feel as if they are being watched from the dark.
Of course, most historians are sure: These are just legends. However, it is these legends that make Dracula's castle so attractive. People come here from all over the world to feel at least for a moment the atmosphere of the old mystery.
And who knows, maybe somewhere in the depths of the dark corridors there is still a secret that should not have survived the centuries.