If you are in the process of selling your home and worry about finding a potential buyer, then spare a thought for the owners of Bran Castle in Romania. Not only does the huge, imposing castle command a 135-million-euro price tag, it is affectionately known as Dracula’s castle by the locals. Situated high up in the Romanian mountains, the castle is currently on the market for a buyer that enjoys macabre historical buildings and enormous heating bills.
Bran Castle – Romania
History Of Bran Castle
Bran Castle was built in the 14th century to replace a wooden castle built by the Teutonic Knights a century earlier. The beautiful structure has been home to a number of royal guests including Mircea the Elder of Wallachia, King Vladislas II and Queen Marie of Romania. The castle has remained standing through several wars and was even used as a fortress to keep the Ottoman Empire at bay not long after its construction. After changing hands several times, the castle is currently owned by Archduke Dominic von Habsburg, who is a direct descendant of Queen Marie. Today, the castle is a historical landmark and serves as a museum dedicated to its history and hosts a variety of different events such as pageants, fairs and music festivals.
Connection To Dracula
Bran Castle earned the nickname Dracula’s Castle due to its resemblance to the fictional castle of Count Dracula in Bram Stoker’s gothic horror novel. Legend has it that Stoker based his castle on a sketch found in a book on the history of Transylvania. Due to similarities between Dracula’s home and Bran Castle, many tourists have flocked to visit the castle, and the owners have even devoted a room to Stoker’s Count Dracula. Many people mistakenly connect the 15th-century ruler of Wallachia, Vlad Tepes, to Bran castle, but records show that the prince only ever passed through the gorge close to the castle. Vlad Tepes’ actual residence was the Old Fortress of Bucharest.
Vlad the Impaler and the Turkish Envoys
Surrounding Villages
No castle is complete without villagers, and the villages surrounding castle Bran are renowned for their beauty and adherence to the traditional way of life. Prince Charles has even lent his hand to conservation efforts in the area that still practices ancient farming methods using horse and cart rather than modern agricultural machinery. Many tourists that visit the towns looking for a different way of life often enquire about purchasing a home before they leave, and a two-bedroom farmhouse can be bought for a mere 5000 euros. If you prefer something a little more modern and close to home, then you can visit the Palmer Snell webpage.
View from the upstairs balcony.
Buying A Castle
Although purchasing a castle may seem like a pastime for a Russian oligarch, there are some available that actually cost less than the price of an apartment in New York. The Chateau Blavou in Normandy boasts ten bedrooms, eight baths, a wine cellar and a guest house for the low price of 1.1 million euros. Those that are familiar with real estate in New York will know that one million euros barely cover the cost of a decent parking space in the Big Apple. However, the cost of renovating an old castle will probably amount to more than the value of the property itself. You will also have to shell out for an entire team of gardeners to keep the castle grounds in good repair as well as a small army of servants.
Although the vast majority of castles in England have been converted to museums or historical sites, there are a few that still serve as permanent residences. Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, UK is the second largest inhabited castle after Windsor Castle, the queen’s official residence. Alnwick is home to the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland and may seem a little familiar to movie fans. Harry Potter, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and Mary, Queen of Scots were all filmed at Alnwick Castle. During the summer, the doors are opened to the public, who can view the inside of the castle and wander around the stunning 42-acre grounds. Those thinking of investing in a castle may want to reconsider their options as Oscar winner Nicholas Cage was recently forced to sell his 500-year-old Bavarian castle at a loss of 1.5 million euros in order to settle a tax bill.
Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland
Almost every child grows up dreaming of living in a castle, and the lucky few that have money to spare can actually make it happen. However, castle living can have its downsides such as eye-watering property tax, enormous maintenance bills and the occasional invasion from neighbouring countries.
Photo Credits
Bran Castle – Wikimedia Creative Commons
Vlad the Impaler and the Turkish Envoys. Painting by Theodor Aman – Wikimedia Public Domain
View from the upstairs balcony – Wikimedia Creative Commons
Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland – Wikimedia Creative Commons
Guest Author Bio
Leanne Powers
Leanne Powers is a freelance researcher and has encountered some pretty amazing properties that have been featured online and in print. She loves sharing her experiences and discoveries with an online audience and her work is found on a variety of different websites.
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