The
Castle Vases - Limited Edition
Bran
Castle
Perched
high on a rock in the midst of Transylvanian forest, Bran Castle,
named after the nearby town, is one of Romania’s most famous
attractions, thanks to its connections with Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula.
Built
between 1377 and 1382 as a palace and military fortress, it was once
the residence of Queen Mary of Romania, the granddaughter of
Queen Victoria, whose heart is reputed to have been found hidden in
the castle in a silver box. During the six centuries of its life, the
Bran Castle changed its destination several times: at the beginning it
was a fortress, after that a customs house and local administration
office and later, in the first half of the 20-th century, a royal
residence. This is why the castle’s architecture and functionality
changed in several points during the rehabilitation and improvement
works. Nowadays, visitors who dare enter the eerie chambers can see
collections of furniture, weaponry and armor, and admire the
well-preserved Gothic architecture.
The
Legend of Dracula
In
the eve of the 15th century a Romanian prince called Vlad was sent by
the emperor Sigismund of Luxembourg to rule in the state of Valachia
situated south of Transylvania, between the Carpathian mountains and
the Danube River.
As a sign of appreciation, the emperor gave Vlad a necklace with a
dragon medallion. This dragon (Latin: draconis) became the
emblem of the state of Valachia and Vlad was nicknamed Vlad Dracula.
Vlad ruled Valachia for a decade and had a son whom he also called
Vlad.
When
his son Vlad became the ruler of Valachia, he had to defend the south
border against the Turks and the northern one against the Hungarian
army; in the meantime, he also had to face his inside enemies. He
reestablished the order in Valachia by judging and killing thieves,
beggars, traitors, but also boyars and nobles in public executions,
generally by impaling.
His
cruelty and ruthlessness made him famous and he was surnamed Vlad the
Impaler, but he also used his father’s name, Dracula, which came
perfectly in line with the meaning of its name in the Romanian
language: Dracul or
Satan. It was this Vlad that inspired Bran Stoker’s novel.
Hunedoara
Castle
A 14th
Century Gothic
masterpiece, the Hunedoara
castle was built on old Roman fortifications, on a strategic position.
On a rocky cliff Turkish prisoners hewed the castle wall out of 30
meters of solid rock. The Hunedoara Castle
is evocative, with three huge pointed towers, a drawbridge and high
battlements. Five marble columns with delicate ribbed vaults support
two halls (1453), the Diet Hall above the Knight’s Hall below. 
In 1974 the
castle became a museum, a handful of its fifty exquisite rooms being
open to the public. Efforts for a second restoration work have been
going on ever since, but due to several rather mysterious encounters
of past inhabitants’ ghosts roaming the castle the workers left each
time.
Peles Castle
The
location of Peles Castle compliments the beauty of the Carpathian
Mountains, and it blends in with the natural backdrop.
Peles Castle used to be
the Romanian 
royalty’s
summer residence
and retreat. It was built in the year 1873
by Carol I, King of Romania.
Nowadays, it is a museum well worth taking the time to visit.
Very few places in Europe
can match its display
of exquisite art and architecture.
Please
contact us today at 1-877-630-8464 to get more information about this
product line or for placing an order.
