Bran Castle (Castelul Bran)
Located 30km southwest of Brasov, between the Bucegi Mountains and Piatra Craiului Mountain, Bran Castle is a very important spot for the Romanian tourism, because of its beauty, architecture, scenery and the legend of Count Dracula. The renown castle, built over a bad of stone, was primary documentary certified in a letter written in 1377 by the Hungarian Ludovic I D'Anjou, giving to the inhabitants of Brasov some privileges.
After some years, at the end of the 14th century, King Sigismund gave the castle to Mircea cel Batran but a few years later the fortress was returned to the Hungarian king. At the end of the 15th century the castle was subordinated to the authority of the Szeklers Committee. From the time of Iancu by Hunedoara the fortress is under the authority of the Transylvania's ruler.
During the history, it was a strategic military objective, defending Transylvania against the invasion of the Turks, coming from Walachia through the Rucar Pass.
On May 1st, 1920 the Brasov City Council donated the Bran Castle to Queen Maria, as a gesture of gratitude for her contribution to the Great Unification of the Romanian Principalities. Between the years 1920-1927 Bran Castle was renovated by the architect of the Royal Court being transformed into a very beautiful summer residence surrounded by a park with alleys, lake, wells and halt terraces. In 1938 Princess Ileana, Maria's daughter, inherited the castle being the owner of this place till 1948 when the communists confiscated it. Since 1956 the castle is used as a history and medieval art museum. In 1987 the fortress has been completely renovated, the work was finished in 1993.
Many legends are connected with Bran Castle. It is said the castle belonged to Count Dracula (Vlad Tepes), but there is no proof. Maybe Vlad Tepes passed through this area like any other traveler but never stopped in the fortress. The real castle of Vlad Tepes, called Poienari fortress, lies on the Arges Valley, on the Transfagarasan road. Bran Castle became famous in 1897 because of Bram Stoker's novel, Count Dracula.
In reality Vlad Tepes, known as Dracula because he used to sign with his father's name Dracul, meaning The Devil, was Prince of Walachia. Vlad Tepes introduced a very strict order in Walachia, punishing the thieves, the boyars (noblemen) and others by impaling. Also, he enforced the army, assisted trading with the neighboring countries and was merciless towards those who turned against him. He adopted a totalitarian leadership and fought against The Ottoman Empire scoring many victories.
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Rucar-Bran Corridor (Culoarul Rucar-Bran)
One of the most picturesque tourist itineraries in Romania can be found in the area stretching between Rucar and Bran. Who crosses the mountain corridor that divides Leaota and Bucegi Mountains from Piatra Craiului and Iezer Papusa Mountains is astonished by the beauty of the road that links Brasov with Campulung Muscel, passing through Rucar and Bran. The remote villages like Sirnea, Dambovicioara, Fundata, Moeciu de Sus with splendid landscapes, are the best places for accommodation in guesthouses. The villages, not only have amazing views, but also represent true starting points towards the mountains like Piatra Craiului and Bucegi. Here you can discover the real beauty of the Romanian villages, seeing shepherds, cow breeders and peasants walking on the roads with their carts pulled by horses. Fed up eating only from plastic boxes? Well, here you'll eat only fresh food, directly from the source.
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