Eerie Transylvania

Transylvania is now visited by tourists from around the world who want to take a journey into the eerie past of this region. Read here what makes the area so hauntingly beautiful!

Sure, everyone has heard of the bloodthirsty deeds of the vampire Dracula from Transylvania. But could you tell us exactly where Transylvania is located? Well, it's not that far away; it is located in the center of Romania, surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains. It is a land full of myths and legends, and once you arrive, you will find yourself in a bygone era. Learn more about the history of Count Dracula, his homeland, and the spookiest hotels in the area in this article from the travel magazine. Let the impressively mystical landscape with its castles and forests work its magic on you-and who knows, maybe you'll get a taste for it and your next trip will take you to the eerie Transylvania, the homeland of vampires.

The most famous vampire figure is the notorious Count Dracula, who is also referred to as the father of all vampires. Vampires are typically known as cruel beings with snow-white skin and sharp teeth, who awaken from their graves at night and feed on human blood. They can only be definitively destroyed by driving a wooden stake through their heart. Many believe that vampires were invented to explain disasters, sudden death, and terrible diseases, and to find someone to blame.

The character of Count Dracula was created by the Irish writer Bram Stoker, who wrote the famous horror novel in 1897. Whether Draculea actually existed remains unclear, but it is said that the cruel prince Vlad III. Draculea served as inspiration for the character, known for his brutal deeds. He ruled Wallachia, a principality in present-day Romania, in the 15th century. His homeland was the legendary Transylvania. The name of the cruel prince fits him well, as 'Dracul' also means 'the Devil' in Romanian. Thus, Dracula translates to 'Son of the Devil.' Vlad was considered a merciless warrior, earning him the name 'Tepes,' which means 'the Impaler.' He had a gruesome penchant for impaling his victims and watching them die.

He is also said to have drunk the blood of his victims and even forced men to eat their own wives or children. At the end of 1476, Vlad III. Draculea, known as the epitome of terror and tyranny, was beheaded. However, his body has never been found to this day. His grave in Romania's Snagov was opened in 1931, but no remains were discovered. Has the bloodthirsty prince risen from his grave and is he still living among us as a vampire? One thing is for sure: The legend of Count Dracula and his historical counterpart Vlad is immortal.

Transylvania, the homeland of Vlad III. Draculea, is now haunted by tourists from all over the world who want to take a trip into the eerie past of this area. Transylvania translates to 'beyond the forest,' and its surroundings are characterized by wild landscapes and surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains.

The German name Siebenbürgen refers to the 7 castles in the area: Bistrita (Bistritz), Brasov (Kronstadt), Cluj Napoca (Klausenburg), Medias (Mediasch), Sebes (Mühlbach), Sibiu (Hermannstadt), and Sighisoara (Sighisoara). Many towns still exude a medieval charm, such as the baroque old town of Cluj Napoca. The most famous tourist attraction in Transylvania is undoubtedly Bran Castle. Less than 30 kilometers from Brasov, it is said that Vlad the Impaler once lived here. There is no evidence for this, yet this castle is known as Dracula's fortress.

It is difficult to separate truth from legend because many tales and myths surround Dracula. Without these, the area would hardly provide a backdrop for spooky stories and eerie moods. The Sherlocks among you might investigate whether Poenari Castle could indeed be the 'real castle of Dracula' as claimed by some. Nevertheless, he is said to have resided there for real-and he surely had a great view, so this is definitely worth checking out.

When strolling through the streets in the evening, a chill often overcomes you, an uneasy feeling that follows you step by step. As night falls, certain images linger in your mind. At night, you would surely prefer to lie in your beds when you hear the wolves howling in the distance from the forest. The former principality of Transylvania spans nearly 60,000 km², with large parts consisting of dense forests, where enormous creatures like vampires, witches, and werewolves are said to dwell. To the south lies Wallachia, an undiscovered rural jewel in southern Romania.

Thanks to Wizz Air, there are cheap flights to Romania all year round. You can reach the airports in Cluj-Napoca, Tirgu Mures, and Sibiu for about €20. You can also get to Bucharest for a small price, but the capital is in Wallachia and not in Transylvania, so you might need to drive a rental car to Transylvania. During your trip through Transylvania, you should definitely rent an affordable car since public transport in this region is not well-developed, and your excursions would take much longer. With a rental car, you are independent and can explore the spookiest places on your own, and quickly retreat to your hotel if you get a little scared.

Right near Bran Castle, the former home of Dracula and the city of Brasov, lies the hotel House of Dracula. It offers the best in spookiness! The Dracula Hotel exudes a unique atmosphere; it is luxuriously furnished yet feels like Dracula is not far away. In just 30 minutes, you can be at Bran Castle in your rental car, letting the intimidating walls soak in. Besides a torture chamber, which is of course no longer in use, there is also a wellness and spa area at the 'House of Dracula' hotel. You can treat yourself to a relaxing massage after a long day of sightseeing or hiking through the dense forests.

If you want to experience the spooky atmosphere only during the day and sleep peacefully at night, you should definitely check out the excellent 4-star Hotel Kronwell Brasov. Located right in Brasov, it provides an ideal starting point for fantastic excursions in the area. In addition to an extensive wellness offering, the hotel also provides top-class dining! The generous breakfast buffet and culinary highlights for dinner in an elegant atmosphere are sure to satisfy every guest.

Especially in bad weather, a visit to the salt mine in Turda is highly recommended. There stands a former salt mine where you can even go paddle boating in its depths. Definitely a great excursion where a bit of eeriness is likely to arise underground.

The town of Sighisoara (Sighisoara), where Vlad III. Draculea was born, should also be explored by you, as it exudes an Old Saxon ambiance. The late medieval fortress, a castle complex with defensive towers, as well as the Gothic church and the listed streets will transport you back in time when creepy creatures were said to abound. In the Almasche Cave, icicles grow on the ground as if by ghostly hands, forming human figures. Is this the work of Dracula, or are other undead beings wreaking havoc here? Of course, we have already prepared your trip to Sighisoara and written a little article about the city since it has become part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

For all Dracula fans, it is a tragedy: A theme park entirely in the style of Dracula has been in planning for 15 (!) years and has yet to be completed. Initially, it was to be built in Sighisoara (Sighisoara), as this is Vlad's birthplace and has a direct connection to Dracula. The park was supposed to appear as a dark version of Disneyland, but the Romanian government decided quite late not to approve the park's construction after fearing that they would lose UNESCO World Heritage recognition, which is extremely important for this region. Many millions of euros of investor funds were lost due to this decision. The park was then planned near Vlad's burial site in Snagov - but it seems a curse is placed upon this project.

Wherever we are, we always want to try some authentic favorite dishes of the locals. Do you feel the same way? Romanian cuisine is traditionally very meat-heavy, but the friendly Romanians always find an alternative even for vegetarians. Especially in Bucharest and all other larger cities, you can enjoy hearty home-cooked meals as well as very fine, international, and varied cuisine. However, we always try to stick to the very traditional regional dishes, which might even be prepared by the lively grandma in the back room of the small restaurants.

Especially in the cool autumn and winter months, there's nothing better after a long day outdoors than a hot, hearty soup. In Romania, there are various versions available, especially slightly sour vegetable soups with meat or fish are nearly everywhere to be found.

Restaurant recommendations for soup in Cluj Napoca and Brasov:

In small traditional markets, you can really shop well and find many local products in small shops. It's best to buy some freshly baked bread, a piece of cheese, and some smoked sausages, and sit in the marketplace of the old town of Brasov. There, you can watch the people go by while enjoying a delicious picnic.

Many of us will know them - the traditional cabbage or savoy cabbage rolls. They are usually filled with ground pork, spices, dill, onions, and bacon, and are often served with tomato sauce and sour cream along with a filling side, but sometimes also with pork ribs or crispy belly. Oh, just the thought makes our mouths water!

Restaurant recommendations for rolls in Cluj Napoca and Brasov:

Just as hearty and traditional are the mici, ground meat rolls similar to those we know from Yugoslavia and Greece. They are typically served with mashed potatoes, a hearty sauce, and sautéed cabbage.

Restaurant recommendations for mici in Cluj Napoca and Brasov:

Dessert! In Romania, you can find various delicious desserts that you should try, preferably a different one every day. To start, we suggest Dobrogeana, a moist cheesecake. You can surely find these pastries in cafés and many small bakeries, just give them a try; they are heavenly.

We hope that you haven't been too horrified while reading, but Count Dracula and his historical counterpart Vlad III. Draculea are indeed spooky creatures of the past. Their presence is still felt there, and the tales and legends are sure to never die. On your next trip, consider visiting Transylvania and discover this unique landscape for yourself. How about a road trip? Or perhaps arriving above the clouds?

Currently, the country is still a true hidden gem and thus quite inexpensive. The landscape is incredibly diverse, charming old towns exude genuine medieval flair, and the unique tales and stories make a visit here an absolute highlight. Allow yourself to be enchanted by spooky places, charming restaurants, and stunning nature. Off to Romania!

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