The 10 Most Haunted Places in Romania, Home of Dracula
Are you searching for a Halloween destination? Or do you just enjoy frightening stories and spooky places? You’ve most likely already heard legends and myths about Dracula, the blood-thirsty vampire that lives in Transylvania. But have you visited his secular castle? ‘Come to the dark side’ and discover haunted forests, witches’ rituals, undead souls and Dracula’s residence, which is the less eerie of them all.
Dracula’s Castle
Perched on a cliff, Bran Castle is home to vampire myths and Bram Stoker’s character, Dracula. The fictional character, described as a Transylvanian blood-thirsty count, is often associated with the Wallachian ruler Vlad the Impaler, a ruthless despot who enjoyed impaling criminals of his time. The Bran Castle is strikingly similar to the Dracula’s castle described in Stoker’s novel.
For Halloween, Count Dracula is inviting you to the hottest party of the year. Party until dawn with wicked fairies, vampires and strigoi, the local ghosts. Show off your dark side!
Corvin Castle
Building
Poienari Fortress
The Devil's Precipice
Chiajna Monastery
Church, Monastery, Ruins
Cismigiu Hotel
Hotel, Cabin
Witches’ Pond
Forest
Banffy Castle
Ruins
Iulia Hasdeu Castle
Hoia Baciu Forest
Keeping the best for last, here is the ‘World’s Most Haunted Forest’: Hoia-Baciu Forest. Unusual phenomena, odd voices, unexpected lights, strange shades and a portal that provides access to parallel universes – in other words, it’s all-inclusive. People who have gone into the forest witnessed skin burns, headaches, anxiety or even fainted. Others have said that tormented spirits are haunting the woods. But what is the most unusual is a dead vegetation zone in the forest, a circle of land where nothing grows.
Will you dare to venture to the world’s most haunted forest?
Bonus: International Vampire Film and Arts Festival
June 7–10, 2018
This event features four days of vampirical film screenings, book readings, performing art, and workshops in Dracula’s region of Transylvania. With vampire stories during the day and underground parties at night, it’s perfect for all the horror genre enthusiasts out there.
Need more travel inspiration? Check out ‘When is the Best Time of the Year to Visit Romania’.