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Dracula

 
 

Our expert Romania

Dracula

Dracula Dracula You can't possibly visit Romania without hearing about Vlad Tepes. One thing that is open to debate, however, is whether this most famous of vampires would appreciate being buried underneath a monastery... Vladimira Dvorakova / age fotostock;

The legend of Dracula was inspired by the historic character Prince Vlad IV (1430-1477), Wallachia's voivod, who led a fierce fight against the Turks. His legendary ferocity and cruelty gave him the nickname of "Tepes", meaning the ?impaler', a technique he used at will to punish his enemies and insubordinate subjects. Dracula actually indicates that he belonged to the order of the Dragon knights, a title which was passed on to him by his father. Despite his devilish side, Vlad Dracula inspires great respect in Romania, because he is considered the original initiator of a nation not yet called Romania. Ceausescu would later create the identity of the whole nation, by keeping up his image as the defender of Romanian independence in the face of the Soviet big brother, raising Dracula to the level of national hero (which he was, in some way). Legend has it that Dracula's body was buried in Snagov's monastery, near Bucharest, a place where visitors could start their itinerary.

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