Dracula and Romania

October 31st is the perfect day to pay homage to Romania's famous "vampire," Vlad Tepes. Vlad, a medieval Wallachian prince famous for his practice of impaling those who opposed him, is associated with sites in Romania significant to his reign. Vlad Tepes, or Vlad the Impaler, was a very real person who is famous both for his cruelty and his opposition to outside forces who wanted control over the region.

The legend of Vlad the Impaler morphed, through Bram Stoker's literary inspiration, into the legend of Count Dracula, whose pale features, bloody fangs, and cape have come to represent the most famous of all vampires. While Vlad Tepes was not a vampire, Romania has a strong vampire folklore tradition that refuses to die.

Explore the history and legend of Dracula and Romania:

• The Real Dracula
• Dracula Sites in Romania
• Dracula Photos