Inside Bran Castle

Bran Castle's magnificent shape rises majestically over the valley below from its rock base near the riverbed. It is a gloomy yet majestic building that appears to be looking down on the crowds of people who pass through its gates. However, it’s not just the outer appearance of the castle that is intriguing. Read on to know what awaits your visit inside Bran Castle.

About Bran Castle

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 Castle

The Rooms

Bran 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.

Narrow Stairway

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.

Old Water Well

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 Donjon

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.

The Queen’s Heart

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.

Bran Castle History >

The Time Tunnel

When the medieval Bran Castle was built, a seven-meter-deep water reservoir was dug inside the castle's courtyard. The reservoir was transformed into a 59-meter-deep hole carved into the granite rock during the 17th century. Bran Castle was given a new well in 1937, and the old well was repurposed as an elevator shaft. This elevator, along with a 40-meter-long twisting horizontal gallery, gave Queen Marie of Romania access to the Royal Gardens, which are located at the base of the cliff on which Bran Castle stands.

Many years later, a multi-disciplinary group designed a multisensory experience on a part of the rock that survived the ages. The project was designed over the course of 7,000 hours by people with a variety of skills, including architecture, resistance studies, restoration, electrical installations, sanitary facilities, heat ventilation, and technology specialties.

Today, the Time Tunnel exists and thrives as a result of human imagination and inventiveness in the field of technology. The Time Tunnel as a media presentation can be enlarged and adapted to new technologies in the future and is sure to wow every visitor.

Bran Castle Facts >

Inside Bran Castle Time Tunnel

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 Dracula

How to Enter Bran Castle?

Bran Castle is a ticket attraction, which means that if you wish to explore the castle, you will have to get tickets for the same. We recommend that you book your Bran Castle tickets online to make sure that you will gain entry into the castle upon your arrival. This way, you can have a planned itinerary and also avail great online discounts!

Plan Your Visit >

Book Your Bran Castle Tickets

Bran Castle Entry Tickets

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1 hr.

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Bran Castle Guided Tour

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1 hr.

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From Bucharest: Bran Castle, Peles Castle & Brasov Full-Day Guided Tour

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12 hr.

Transfers included

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Bran Castle Audio Tour

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From Bucharest: Bran Castle, Peles Castle, & Brasov Full-Day Guided Tour with Audio Guide

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12 hr.

Audio guide

Guided tour

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Visitor Facilities

Toilets: Toilets for public access are present just outside the main entrance of Bran Castle. The toilets, however, need to be accessed via a slope.

Shop: There is a small gift shop just outside Bran Castle where you may find some souvenirs to take back home. There is also a cluster of shops outside the main entrance of the castle where more items are available.

Frequently Asked Questions About What’s Inside Bran Castle

Q. What is inside Bran Castle?

A. 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.

Q. Can I go inside Bran Castle?

A. Yes, it is possible to explore the insides of Bran Castle.

Q. How do I enter 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.

Q. What can I see inside Bran Castle?

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.

Q. What kind of footwear do I need to wear inside Bran Castle?

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.

Q. Can I buy tickets to Bran Castle?

A. Yes, you can easily purchase Bran Castle tickets online.