Bran Castle
Bran Castle is located in Romania, about 15 miles southwest of Brasov in the Carpathian Mountains. It was originally built in 1377 to protect the city from invasion, and today the castle is more commonly referred to as “Dracula’s Castle.” This is because it was once the residence of Prince Vlad Tepes, son of Vlad Dracul, whom was a knight of the Dragon Order. Vlad used to sign his name as ” The Devil’s Son.” He is most famous for being the basis for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Vlad Tepes was a strong ruler of Wallachia between the years of 1456 and 1462. He was succesful because he increased trade and the strength of the army.
He was ruthless against anyone who stood before him, this especially turned out to be true in his battles against the Ottoman Empire. Vlad was also known to impale his captives on long spears, most of the time as they were still alive. This was a horrible way to die, mostly because it would take hours to die at best. In the courtyard there is a hidden tunnel covered by a fountain that goes 50 meters below ground. Guests who have visited the castle have reported hearing moans and screams coming from the tunnel. The spirit of Vlad is also believed to haunt the castle, where he is most often seen in the chamber he once used. People who have taken pictures there have developed strange mists and light streaks in them.
(Source: Belanger, Jeff. Encyclopedia of Haunted Places. 2005.)
Vlad passed through the town but he never lived in Bran Castle. His residence was Poienari Castle which is now mostly in ruins.