The Bran Castle lifted on a high rock between the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului Mountains, reigns over the beautiful landscapes and villages that surround it for over 600 years.
           On November 19, 1377 Ludovic I D'Anjou gave to the Brasov inhabitants the privilege to build the castle “on their own work and expense”. In exchange for this, the king confirmed the subordination of 13 localities to Brasov town and conferred the leadership of Bran Castle to a lord, who had also jurisdictional attributions. First of all, the castle was meant to be a fortress, as a defence against the invaders, because of its strategic location, the most important pass between Transylvania and Wallachia. All merchants who were coming to Wallachia to sell their products had no other way but crossing this pass and pay the corresponded customs for their merchandise. It was the place from where inland and outland commercial traffic was kept under control. The castle had a permanent garrison of 12 - 24 soldiers.
          Because of some unfortunate events in1419, the castle returned in Sigismund's possession till 1424. Later on, when Iancu de Hunedoara reigned in Transylvania, the Bran Castle passed under his rule. There are documents attesting that during the reign of Vlad the Impaler, the voivode visited a few times the castle, living there for short periods of time, though, nowadays it is known as Dracula's Castle. His real residence was a castle, now in ruins, in the Arges Valley.
           On December 1st, 1920, the Brasov Town council donated the Bran Castle to Queen Marie of Great Romania, as a symbol of gratitude for her contribution to the achievement of the “Great Union” of 1 December 1918. The castle was restored between 1920 - 1927 and transformed into a beautiful summer residence, surrounded by a park with many spring wells and a lake. There were arranged walking alleys, terraces and it was built the “Tea House” of Queen Marie.
            Many legends have kept the walls of the old Bran Castle because of its many rulers, but among all, the legend of Dracula, kept alive by the Bram Stoker's novel is still haunting the castle and its surroundings. Because of its magic attraction, many people from the entire world came to visit the castle and feel the emotion of a journey back in the time of the great ruler, who even now, after centuries, makes our hearts tremble when we pronounce his name, Dracula.