Bran Castle, Romania

After leaving Peleș Castle, we drove about an hour to Bran to see Dracula's Castle. Along the drive we spied another hilltop castle. It's fun being here :)

Colorful homes.

The Transylvanian countryside was super pretty.

Then we spotted the famous Bran Castle! On a rocky bluff rising from wolf-prowled forests perches a gaunt, sinister castle. Sort of. Bran Castle has a tenuous link to the infamous Vlad Tepes, better known as Vlad the Impaler, but because it inspired the description of Dracula's castle in Bram Stoker's classic Victorian Gothic thriller it is often called "Dracula's Castle."

We parked and hiked up the hill to explore the castle.

The castle is almost 200 feet tall and was built by Saxons from nearby Brasov in 1382 to defend Bran Pass against Turk invaders. It housed Vlad the Impaler for a few months on his flight from the Turks in 1462 after their attack in the Arges Valley.

From 1920 Queen Marie lived in the castle and it served as a summer royal residence until the forced abdication of King Michael in 1947. Most of the furniture on display is from Queen Marie's time.

Super spooky staircase. Most of the castle is very bright and sunny, but there are hints of Dracula...

Tile on a heater.

The castle became a museum in 1957 and in 2006, after 60 years in communist/government hands, Bran Castle was turned over to Dominic Habsburg, a New York-based architect and grandson of Queen Marie. The family has kept it open as a museum.

The interior courtyard looking out to the Transylvanian countryside beyond.

Beautiful Romania.

The kids exploring Dracula's digs. They weren't scared. How could they be on such a beautiful day?

Looking out to Bran.

Farmer painted stuff is my jam.

Our family at Bran Castle.

I love the interior courtyard. So many layers and angles!

Love the texture of this tree on the fancy door.

Another floor shot. I can't help it.

Open windows, letting the air flow through the castle. It was lovely.

Bye bye Dracula's Castle!

We drove down below and a little past the castle to get some good shots of the whole enchilada.

Then we drove three hours back to the heart of Bucharest. From vast greens and wide open spaces...

...to urban life and skyscrapers.

We had a fun adventure! Can't wait 'til the next one - a big road trip through Tuscany, Italy in May!

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Peleș Castle, Romania

Our plan for the day was to get out of the city and explore a couple sights in the Romanian countryside. Before we got up into the mountains we passed several cities.

Lovely yellow fields as we drove out of the town across the Wallachian plain. 

Gold domed church? Yes, please. 

After about two hours of driving we had entered Transylvania and reached our first stop: Peleș Castle. We parked the car then headed up the long slope to the castle.

#itoldyouihavethisthingwithmanholecovers

There she is!

Such a beautiful setting for a beautiful building. 

Peleș castle was intended to be the summer residence of Romania's longest-serving monarch, King Carol I. Construction on the 3,500 square meter residence began in 1875 in a predominantly German-Renaissance style, but the interior has grand reception halls in Moorish, Florentine, and French styles. 

The wood-carving throughout the castle is incredible. 

Wow! The king's wife Elisabeta was largely responsible for the interior decoration. 

This was the first European castle to have central heating, electricity, and vacuuming. 

US President's Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford were both hosted here by Ceausecu. 

The castle has over 160 rooms and it took some 39 years and more than 400 craftsman to complete the castle. 

Gorgeous. 

Mirror details.

The Evans Family at Peleș Castle on Saturday, April 9th 2016. 

Awwww, Fox & Jane.

The grounds around Peleș have several other buildings, including this Swiss-chalet style Foisorul Hunting Lodge which was built as a temporary residence by King Carol I before Peleș was completed. 

Just up the hill from Peleș is the Pelisor Palace. 

This German-medieval palace has a hard time competing with it's fancier nearby neighbor, not many people made the 100 meter walk up the hill to it. King Carol I planned this house for his nephew, the future king Ferdinand and his wife Marie. 

There were homeless doggies alllllll over. Made me sad.

Fox's creations made while waiting for our lunch - he's so clever!

Driving, driving, driving :)

Next stop (and last re-cap for this trip): Bran Castle, aka Dracula's Castle!

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