In Romania, Vlad the Impaler, is a national hero. The rest of the world knows this controversial figure better in his fictional form as Dracula. The New York law firm Herzfeld and Rubin is handling the sale of the Transylvanian Castle of Vlad the Impaler, known more formally as Bran Castle.
A price has not been released to the public, per London’s Telegraph newspaper, as this is a quieter type of sale. You won’t see a giant “For Sale” sign or have a stream of Jonathan Harker-type Solicitors walking in and out of the property. Basically, if you have the type of money it takes to buy Dracula’s castle, you will know. I can tell you right now that the life of a freelance journalist does not pay enough for this sort of residence.
The castle area has been a fortress since the 1200’s and became a castle in the 1400’s. The structure has managed to stand through battles with the Turks and even the desolation of Eastern Europe during the period following World War II. Herzfeld and Rubin and the Romanian government alike are hoping a wealthy investor turns the property into a strong tourist destination, hopefully with hotel facilities. As long as no one uses it for public executions, or cheesy black cape tour guides, Bran Castle should be safe.
Although I may never be able to afford Bran Castle, I wish the best to the future owner and request that they keep their crucifixes at the ready.