What do you think of when someone mentions Transylvania, Romania? Is it the gothic castles, medieval streets or Dracula, the bloodsucking vampire made famous by Bram Stoker and Christopher Lee?
When I used to think of Transylvania it was always about Vlad the Impaler or Vlad Tepes, the inspiration for Dracula! So what better way to spend Simon’s 30th birthday (which happens to fall on Halloween) than a Dracula tour around Transylvania! Oh yes, we spent our time driving around Sibiu, Bran Castle and Sighisoria in a pimped up Dracula bus complete with red and black leather walls, red velvet curtains and blacked out windows – fabulous!
Feet Do Travel show you how we spent the spookiest of holiday’s; Halloween in Transylvania.
When I used to think of Transylvania it was always about Vlad the Impaler or Vlad Tepes, the inspiration for Dracula! So what better way to spend Simon’s 30th birthday (which happens to fall on Halloween) than a Dracula tour around Transylvania! Oh yes, we spent our time driving around Sibiu, Bran Castle and Sighisoria in a pimped up Dracula bus complete with red and black leather walls, red velvet curtains and blacked out windows – fabulous!
Feet Do Travel show you how we spent the spookiest of holiday’s; Halloween in Transylvania.
Our pimped out bus for the duration of the tour!
So, what can I tell you about Transylvania other than Dracula? Well, it’s a region in the central part of Romania and has its own airport in the second most populous city in Romania, Cluj Napoca. Surrounded by the Carpathian mountains, it is known for its forest region, medieval towns and fortified churches and castles.
For history lovers, there are seven walled citadels populated by the Saxons of Transylvania in Bistrita, Brasov, Cluj, Medias, Sebes, Sibiu and Sighisoria.
For our Dracula tour, we found the perfect trip with Transylvania Live which included a visit to Bran Castle, the towns of Sibiu and Sighișoara and the highlight... a fancy dress Halloween party in the birthplace of Vlad Dracul... the inspiration for the Dracula genre.
For our Dracula tour, we found the perfect trip with Transylvania Live which included a visit to Bran Castle, the towns of Sibiu and Sighișoara and the highlight... a fancy dress Halloween party in the birthplace of Vlad Dracul... the inspiration for the Dracula genre.
Which leads me nicely onto Dracula. Who was Vlad Dracul and why is he known as Dracula?
I will quickly give you a history lesson; Vlad Dracul (also known as Vlad Tepes or Vlad The Impaler) ruled Wallachia for a only seven years over three separate reigns from 1448. For a period of time during his reign, Vlad and his younger brother were held as hostages by the Ottomans and it’s suspected it was during this imprisonment that he first witnessed the in-humane torture of impaling people on stakes. As you can probably tell from his nickname “Vlad the Impaler” this is something he later became famous for.
As a ruler, to the people of Transylvania he wasn’t considered memorable; he wasn’t particular good, and although it cannot be denied he was pretty evil and tortuous to other humans, he wasn’t unordinarily cruel for that particular period of time in history. He also didn’t reign for very long, so our tour guide and other locals cannot understand the fascination with him, they just know that his name brings in plenty of tourists!
I will quickly give you a history lesson; Vlad Dracul (also known as Vlad Tepes or Vlad The Impaler) ruled Wallachia for a only seven years over three separate reigns from 1448. For a period of time during his reign, Vlad and his younger brother were held as hostages by the Ottomans and it’s suspected it was during this imprisonment that he first witnessed the in-humane torture of impaling people on stakes. As you can probably tell from his nickname “Vlad the Impaler” this is something he later became famous for.
As a ruler, to the people of Transylvania he wasn’t considered memorable; he wasn’t particular good, and although it cannot be denied he was pretty evil and tortuous to other humans, he wasn’t unordinarily cruel for that particular period of time in history. He also didn’t reign for very long, so our tour guide and other locals cannot understand the fascination with him, they just know that his name brings in plenty of tourists!
Historical Alba Iulia
Coronation Cathedral
From Cluj, we headed south towards Alba Iulia, the largest Citadel in Romania also referred to as “the other capital”. We strolled around Coronation Cathedral, a charming Roman Orthodox cathedral built October 1922 to mark the coronation of King Ferdinand and Queen Maria. The architecture is “Romanian National Style”, modern yet impressive with huge expansive vaults and arches, surrounded by a lovely courtyard.
This cathedral is considered an important historical place for Romanians because it symbolises the National Unity of the Romanian Nation.
This cathedral is considered an important historical place for Romanians because it symbolises the National Unity of the Romanian Nation.
Close to the Cathedral is the restored Alba Carolina medieval fortress which is a highlight of any visit to this Citadel. It’s a large, aesthetically pleasing and serene place to stroll around, full of ancient and modern history. The views are very impressive and you could easily lose a few hours here – we certainly did!
It was here our first group photograph was taken – the first of many and a sign of things to come!
Pub 13 was our lunch stop, an authentic medieval restaurant built into the wall of the Citadel at the fortress entrance. It was actually used as the Armoury for the fortress back in the day. If you want to step back in time, you will be in your element here!
The walls and ceilings are decorated with weapons and armour and the food was delicious; we ordered a wonderful slap up meal of meat and potatoes – good old fashioned, traditional Romanian grub!
It was at this point our group realised we were going to be in for a hoot for the duration of the time we would spend together. We hadn’t stopped laughing and joking up until this point and the hours flew by. We were actually supposed to visit another tourist site but decided we had spent too long in this restaurant having fun, and we didn’t want to ruin the good times.
The Medieval Citadel of Sibiu
We arrived in Sibiu when it was dark and oh my, what a splendid place this is! In the Old Town where we were staying, the streets are delicately lit with old fashioned street lamps which cast an orange, romantic glow over its cobbled streets. I loved it! I personally thought it was a photographers’ paradise. There are plenty of secluded lanes and the buildings are all well preserved.
We arrived in Sibiu when it was dark and oh my, what a splendid place this is! In the Old Town where we were staying, the streets are delicately lit with old fashioned street lamps which cast an orange, romantic glow over its cobbled streets. I loved it! I personally thought it was a photographers’ paradise. There are plenty of secluded lanes and the buildings are all well preserved.
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There are many fine cellar/basement restaurants serving traditional Romanian food and wine, we had a table arranged at Crama Sibiana which was definitely in keeping with our medieval themed day. We left this establishment happy and rather merry after consuming plenty of The Legend of Transylvanian red wine!
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Bran Castle
On 31st October – Halloween and Sy’s Birthday – we visited Bran Castle. This impressive gothic, fairy-tale structure known tenuously as Castle Dracula was built in 1377 and is situated on the border between Transylvania and Wallachia.
View from the main walkway
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Walking up to the entrance of Bran Castle
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It is said that Vlad Tepes, the inspiration for the Dracula movie genre, never actually lived at Bran Castle, so why is it linked to Dracula? Simply because it’s the only surviving castle in Transylvania that fits Bram Stoker’s description! What a brilliant bit of marketing that is!
“. . . on the very edge of a terrific precipice . . . with occasionally a deep rift where there is a chasm [with] silver threads where the rivers wind in deep gorges through the forests.”
“. . . on the very edge of a terrific precipice . . . with occasionally a deep rift where there is a chasm [with] silver threads where the rivers wind in deep gorges through the forests.”
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When walking towards the castle, set aside your thoughts on the whole “Dracula” theme because there is much more to this historic place than a blood-sucking villain who lives in our imagination!
t’s a beautiful castle with large turrets, winding stone corridors leading to small rooms and open walkways looking out onto magnificent views of the surrounding forest.
View of the Transylvanian countryside from a window of Bran Castle
The nearby village is full of little shops and locals selling souvenirs from quaint stalls, it really is a lovely area which feels like a step back in time.
A quick refreshment stop after Bran Castle
Sighisoara – the birthplace of Vlad Tepes!
Right then, so if you are a Dracula lover, Sighisoara is at the heart of this story and, it could be said, where it all began!
Vlad Tepes III was born here in 1431 and lived for just four years with his father before moving.
A wrought iron dragon hangs above the entrance symbolising “the order of the Dragon”, a title given to selected nobility and in this case, to Vlad Tepes II who spent his youth at the royal court later distinguishing himself as a brave knight in the fight against the Ottoman Empire.
The ocher-colored building is now a restaurant and is situated in the Citadel Square close to the Clock Tower.
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Plaque on the wall of Vlad Dracul's birthplace
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Dracula's birthplace is now a restaurant
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In truth, Vlad is just a tiny part of Sighisoara and there is so much more to this Saxon citadel than the Dracula connection. It is considered to be the most beautiful and best preserved medieval town in Europe! Its quaint streets are made up of brightly decorated buildings and cobbled stones.
Built in the 12th century, this town was then known as Castrum Sex (Fort Six), the name of Sighisoara was first noted in a written document issued by Vlad Dracul II, Vlad the Impaler's father, in 1431.
Angie & Sy outside Vlad Dracul's birthplace
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Gorgeous architecture of Sighisoara
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Halloween party!
And so the ultimate birthday party begins … in the medieval citadel of Sighisoria.
But first, we have to drive there .. and the celebrations began on the party bus!
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The absolute highlight and what we had all been waiting for... the Halloween party!
It was held in the basement of an old building and all the stops were pulled out! It was a fancy dress party to end alllllllll fancy dress parties! Everyone looked magnificent and so much effort was made it was very impressive! I dressed as a Vampiress (naturally!) and Sy chose to be the Devil ... in a dinner jacket ... complete with painted red face and horns, although it was the cummerbund and cape that really set off his outfit.
It was held in the basement of an old building and all the stops were pulled out! It was a fancy dress party to end alllllllll fancy dress parties! Everyone looked magnificent and so much effort was made it was very impressive! I dressed as a Vampiress (naturally!) and Sy chose to be the Devil ... in a dinner jacket ... complete with painted red face and horns, although it was the cummerbund and cape that really set off his outfit.
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We ate traditional Romanian festive food washed down with fine Romanian wine although in truth, we cannot tell you how it tasted as the beer consumed on the crazy bus journey from Bran to Sigisioura combined with the bottle of champagne enjoyed whilst getting ready had kicked in some time before!
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Around 11.30pm, prior to the midnight countdown, we were taken outside for more of the evening’s entertainment – traditional folk dancing, sword and axe displays … plus fire breathing!! YES!!!! Fire breathing!! AWESOME!!!
I had informed our tour company that it was Sy’s 30th birthday, and he was called up to be a part of the show! He was given an axe and was the hero defending a maid’s honour ... or something like that, in truth, we had all been drinking champagne and strong Romanian wine for a number of hours and it was all a bit of a blur!
Sy was given a bayonet and certificate as defender of the fair maiden and one thing we clearly remember is he was allowed to wear chainmail and swing an axe around! I think that was a highlight for him! Alcohol and dangerous weapons go hand in hand with Health and Safety, right?!
Sy was given a bayonet and certificate as defender of the fair maiden and one thing we clearly remember is he was allowed to wear chainmail and swing an axe around! I think that was a highlight for him! Alcohol and dangerous weapons go hand in hand with Health and Safety, right?!
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Paintings … made out of spider webs!
Our final stop on this fascinating tour en-route from Sigisoria back to Cluj was in Medias – at Emil Muresan shop to be precise. He is an original artist who has entered the Guinness Book of Records for his unusual art; he “draws” using spider webs! Oh yes, you read that correctly! The sticky stuff you usually brush off your face in the morning as you walk past a bush to your car is actually used by this gentleman to create what some consider as art.
I was captivated by this eclectic and eccentric mix of drawings and couldn’t resist purchasing one for home!
Sadly, our three days in Transylvania with an amazing group of people was over. We were all sorry to see our new friends go their separate ways after the best Halloween we had ever experienced! Some of us remain friends on Facebook, and we still say that none of us have ever had a better Halloween than the one we spent together in Transylvania; driving around in a pimped-up Dracula bus, laughing from morning through to night. You guys rock!
Have you been on a Dracula tour, what did you do and where did you go? If you went to Transylvania, I’m sure your time was very different to ours so share your favourite experiences with us in the comments below.
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