- Who was Vlad the Impaler?
- Was Vlad the Impaler the inspiration for Count Dracula?
- Did Vlad the Impaler impale people?
- What are the tourist attractions associated with Vlad Tepeș in Romania?
- Bran Castle
- Targoviste
- Snagov Monastery
- Sighisoara
- Bucharest
- Poenari Citadel
- Vlad the Impaler myths and legends
- Impaling Thousands
- The Forest of the Impaled
- Vlad’s Hatred of the Boyars
- Vlad’s Vampiric Powers
- The Bran Castle Connection
- Vlad’s Pact with the Devil
- Vlad’s Immortality
- The legend of Vlad the Impaler’s death
- The exact location of the tomb
- The tomb at the Snagov Monastery
- The tomb in the Church of Santa Maria la Nova, Naples
Who was Vlad the Impaler?
Vlad III, also known as Vlad the Impaler, was the ruler of Wallachia in the 15th century. Vlad was known for his brutal methods of punishing his enemies, particularly impaling them. He is a historical figure who is often associated with the fictional character Dracula.

Was Vlad the Impaler the inspiration for Count Dracula?
When he created Dracula, Stoker was inspired by Vlad’s reputation for cruelty, but the two characters are different, one being a ruler of Romania and the other a movie character.

Did Vlad the Impaler impale people?
Yes, historical accounts suggest that Vlad the Impaler used impalement as a method of punishment. However, the extent and frequency of this practice is unknown to historians. About 20,000 people are said to have been impaled. There are many unknown elements related to the use of this form of punishment.

What are the tourist attractions associated with Vlad Tepeș in Romania?
Bran Castle
Often referred to as “Dracula’s Castle”, Bran Castle is a popular tourist destination. It is assumed that Vlad the Impaler stayed in this castle for a short time but historically it is not clear how significant his connection with the castle was.

Targoviste
Targoviste is the former capital of Romania and has a special historical significance. It was the place of the royal court of Vlad the Impaler, and you can visit the ruins of the royal court today.

Snagov Monastery
Snagov Monastery is located on an island in Lake Snagov and is often associated with Vlad the Impaler. Legend has it that Vlad is buried there, although this has not been confirmed.
Sighisoara
It is believed that Vlad Țepeș was born in Sighisoara, a medieval city in Romania. The house where he is supposed to have been born is now a restaurant called “Vlad Dracul House” (“Casa Vlad Dracul“).
Bucharest
The capital of Romania, Bucharest, has a history intertwined with Vlad Țepeș. The Old Royal Court in Bucharest was one of the residences of Vlad Țepeș.
Between 1386 and 1418, Mircea the Elder built a fortress. The fortress had brick walls and was surrounded by a defensive moat.
In the 15th century, Vlad Țepeș, lord of the Wallachia, consolidates the fortress built by Mircea the Elder and raises it to the rank of a princely residence, an alternative to the one in Târgoviște.

Poenari Citadel
Poenari Fortress, also known as Poenari Castle, is another fortress associated with Vlad the Impaler. To reach the fortress, visitors have to climb over 1,400 steps and will be treated to panoramic views.
Vlad the Impaler myths and legends
Vlad the Impaler, also known as Vlad III or Vlad Dracula, was the subject of numerous myths and legends, many of which contributed to the infamous Dracula character. While some stories are rooted in historical events, others have taken on a more fantastical and legendary nature.
The legend that he impaled thousands of people
One of the well-known aspects of Vlad the Impaler’s reputation is that he impaled his enemies and others. While historical accounts suggest that he used impalement as a form of punishment, the extent of these actions has likely been exaggerated over time.
The Forest of the Impaled
A particularly gruesome legend tells of a forest of impaled victims created by Vlad the Impaler. Although there is some historical evidence of this, the idea of an entire forest full of impaled screaming individuals is probably an exaggeration.
Vlad’s hatred of the boyars
Vlad is said to have harbored a deep hatred of the boyars and sought to eliminate them all the time. The stories claim that at one point he would invite hundreds of boyars to a feast and in the end impale them all.
Vlad’s vampire powers
Vlad the Impaler’s association with vampires led to myths suggesting that Vlad possessed paranormal powers.
The connection of Vlad Țepeș with Bran Castle
Bran Castle is often referred to as “Dracula’s Castle” and there are stories suggesting that Vlad the Impaler was imprisoned there for a time.
Vlad’s pact with the Devil
Some legends say that Vlad made a pact with the devil to gain power and carry out his merciless deeds. This supernatural element adds a dark and mythic layer to his historical persona.
Did Vlad Tepeș acquire immortality?
Stories circulate that Vlad Tepeș achieved immortality through dark rituals or supernatural means.
The legend of Vlad the Impaler’s death
The legend of Vlad the Impaler’s death is shrouded in mystery and there are various theories as to the circumstances of his death. A legend says that Vlad Țepeș was killed in battle in the hills around Bucharest, but the exact details are unclear. One version of the legend suggests that Vlad the Impaler died in a battle against the Ottoman Turks. Another legend suggests that Vlad the Impaler was assassinated, possibly by boyars or his political rivals. The reasons for his assassination could have been related to internal power struggles or dissatisfaction with his leadership.
The exact location of the tomb
The specific location of Vlad the Impaler’s death is uncertain. While some legends suggest that he died on the battlefield, others suggest that he was killed in some other way, such as being killed near a battlefield or during a political gathering.
The tomb at the Snagov Monastery
A common part of the legend is that Vlad the Impaler was buried at the Snagov Monastery. According to some accounts, his head was cut off and sent to the Ottoman Sultan as proof of his death. However, the exact location of his burial within the monastery is unclear.
The tomb in the Church of Santa Maria la Nova, Naples
Vlad the Impaler’s decapitated body would have been buried more than half a millennium ago, at the Church of Santa Maria la Nova in Naples, Italy, some historians say. Legend has it that Vlad was beheaded in 1476 by an Ottoman patrol in Romania, and his head was taken to Constantinople. Some hypothesized that the aristocrat Maria Balsa, the secret daughter of Vlad the Impaler, fled to Naples with his remains and placed them in a marble sarcophagus in the church.
The fact that Dracula’s tomb is located in the historic center of Naples seems to becoming more and more concrete, thanks to the discovery of the presence of the Romanian voivode’s name at the place of the tomb.