Travel: Exploring Transylvania and the Fascinating History of Dracula

A Motorcycle Trip Across Eastern Europe

A few years ago, I made a motorcycle trip across Eastern Europe and stopped for a few days in the Romanian province of Transylvania. I ended up staying in an ancient castle which had been converted to an amazing hotel called Chateau Dracula.

Researching the Region’s Fascinating History

And that’s when I began to research the region’s fascinating history. As it turned out, the character of Count Dracula was the creation of an Irish author named Bram Stoker, and based upon local superstitions and written in the 1890’s. It was published in May, 1897, and quickly became a classic for readers addicted to horror stories. (Interestingly, Satan is Dracula in the Romanian language).

Vampire Traits and Superstitions

Vampires also had strange traits. They could not stand the smell of garlic. That’s when I noticed that the window of my hotel room had two strands of garlic, one hanging on each side. When I asked the concierge what its purpose was, he explained that some superstitious guests, particularly locals, would refuse to stay in the room if garlic wasn’t part of the furnishings.

And there’s more: vampires hate silver because their reflections in a mirror with a silver frame cannot be seen and is considered unholy. And they are frightened by the presence of a cross, which are also part of the hotel’s furnishings. Vampires, the story goes, also suffer from porphyria, which makes them sensitive to sunlight and causes receding gums which makes their teeth appear larger. (That’s one reason why vampires are only seen at night). And the only way to kill a vampire is to submerge their bodies in running water. Iron nails, according to legend, will also prevent them from escaping from their coffins.

A Souvenir and a Quote

When I finally continued my journey, I had a souvenir of my visit, one which I still have today. Recently, I called the hotel and asked if they could ship a few additional bottles to me. Not possible, they replied, their wines were out of stock due to hundreds of visiting guests who had also purchased them as souvenirs.

I remember a quote from a film I once saw about Count Dracula, starring Christopher Lee.

“I never drink red…wine”

Conclusion

My trip to Transylvania was a unique and fascinating experience that allowed me to delve into the history and superstitions of the region. From the ancient castle to the strange traits of vampires, I was immersed in a world of mystery and intrigue. And as I left, I couldn’t help but wonder what other secrets the region held.

FAQs

Q: What is the history of Dracula?
A: Count Dracula was created by Irish author Bram Stoker and is based on local superstitions and written in the 1890’s.

Q: What are some vampire traits and superstitions?
A: Vampires cannot stand the smell of garlic, hate silver, are frightened by the presence of a cross, and suffer from porphyria.

Q: How can you kill a vampire?
A: According to legend, the only way to kill a vampire is to submerge their bodies in running water. Iron nails will also prevent them from escaping from their coffins.