The majestic Bran Castle is located on the boundary between Transylvania and Wallachia in Romania. A huge stone stairway leads to the castle's entryway. Inside Bran Castle, Queen Marie's residence includes a bedroom, bathroom, dining area, hall, dressing room, and two salons. The castle contains a hidden passageway that connects the first and third floors of the fortification, which was found in 1927. The core of the castle is graced with a lush courtyard, a characteristic feature of medieval edifices. The wealth of architectural details within the castle makes it a very interesting visit, historically and culturally.
More About Bran CastleBran Castle has a total of 57 rooms that have witnessed centuries of history. King Ferdinand’s rooms are among the most well-restored rooms in the castle. Ornate furniture and wonderful views of the village below can be appreciated in King Ferdinand's suite. Hand-carved and elaborate fixtures cover the walls and ceilings of the expansive rooms. A room of the castle also occupies the torture museum with various unsettling artifacts.
There is also a stone secret passage among the 57 chambers inside that was so narrow that only one person could pass through it at a time. The secret corridor connects the first and third floors, albeit it is no longer secret. The entry to the secret corridor was hidden behind an antique fireplace. It was discovered in the 1920s while Queen Marie was renovating the castle.
The top of an old water well is present in the courtyard of Bran Castle, but there is no well. However, the well is more than just a decorative feature. When the fortress was built in the 14th century, a 60-foot-deep well was drilled through solid rock. There was also a secret room carved into the rock just above the water level, which was used to hide the castle's treasures in the event of an invasion.
The gothic architecture of Bran Castle is breathtaking. The enormous structure is built of a mix of wood and stone. The round tower, or Donjon, is one of the castle's features, as it is remarkably well kept. Unfortunately, lightning struck the old tower and it was completely destroyed. The current round tower design dates from 1593.
Before her death in 1938, Queen Marie requested that her heart be interred at a chapel in the village of Balchik, near the Black Sea, where her family owned a palace that was the queen's favorite summer retreat. Balchik's heart was placed at Bran Castle when she was returned to Bulgaria in 1940. On the southwest side of the castle, across the small brook at the edge of the woodland, you can view the resting place of the Queen’s heart.
Performing the longest approved ride of 31.5 meters between two stations in all of Romania, this elevator showcases an interactive multimedia exhibition about the culture and history of Bran Castle. While descending the first 8 meters, you can see the original rock tiles that were used in 1937.
The nearly one-minute ride down the elevator is definitely a must-try with its elegant ghosts, fire-breathing dragons, dancing supernatural maidens, and if you’re lucky, even a cloud of bats flying right at you! The multimedia experience also includes a glimpse of the construction and installation of the Stone Elevator.
Count DraculaA. There are about 57 rooms inside Bran Castle including a torture museum, Queen Marie’s suite, King Ferdinand’s quarters, and a well-maintained courtyard.
A. Yes, it is possible to explore the insides of Bran Castle.
A. Vaccinated individuals can gain entry to Bran Castle from the main entrance. You can book your Bran Castle tickets online to gain entry.
A. Among the many rooms inside Bran Castle, you can explore King Ferdinand’s quarters that include some ornate furniture and artifacts. You can also explore the dungeon, visit the chapel of the Queen’s heart, climb the narrow stairway and enjoy the multimedia show in the Time Tunnel.
A. Although Bran Castle isn’t large, you should wear comfortable footwear if you are planning to explore all the rooms that are open to visitors as there are a lot of stairs throughout the castle.
A. Yes, you can easily purchase Bran Castle tickets online.