Facts About Vlad Dracula

Vlad Dracula is a Romanian national interdependence ruler who fought against the Ottomans. Also known as Vlad the Impaler, Vlad is considered a national hero in Romania.

Fact 1. Vlad was born in November, 1431 in the fortress of Sighisoara, Romania. The surname “Dracula originated from his father who was a member of the Order of the Dragon. The order was a semi-military religious society created by the Holy Roman Emperor in 1387. “Dracul” meant dragon and Vlad became known as the son of the

Fact 2.  The symbol of the Order of the Dragon, the dragon was the symbol of the devil. The main intention of the fraternal order was to protect Catholicism against the Muslim Ottomans.

Fact 3.    In 1442, Dracula and his younger brother became hostages of the Sultan Murad the Second based upon an agreement between the Sultan and Dracula’s father in protecting the region against invasion from the Turks.

Fact 4.  Dracula ruled Walachia and Transylvania from 1448 until his death in 1476. He faced challenges toward his throne including from his brother Vadu. As a defender of Christianity, he found favour with the Vaticans albeit the Vatican did not approve of some of his methods of managing his enemies.

Fact 5.  Dracula was killed during a battle against the Turks in December of 1476. Dracula’s body was decapitated and his head was to Constantinople where it was displayed as a proof of his death. His body was buried at Snagov near Bucharest.

Fact 6. Dracula was also infamously associated with the nickname of “Vlad Tepes”  which means ‘Vlad the Impaler’. This was due to Dracula’s method of torturing people by impaling and leaving them to die on stakes. As a reminder to others, the bodies would remain on the stakes as birds pecked at the rotting flesh.

Fact 7.  It has been reported that during one battle, Dracula retreated into the mountains leaving behind a trail of impaled people. The Turkish army was halted in their advance due to the stench of rotting flesh.

Fact 8.  To overcome the effects of sin from impaling people, Dracula surrounded himself with religious officials and undertook the building of monasteries. Dracula is noted for having founded five monasteries. Over a period of 150 years, his family is famous for having established 50 monasteries.

Fact 9. Dracula’s place of burial at the isolated Snagov Monastery near Bucharest was also used as a prison and torture chamber. Prisoners who prayed before the Blessed Virgin Mary found the trap door below them opening onto sharp stakes below.

Fact 10. In 1931, archaeologists found a casket partially covered in a purple shroud embroidered with gold. The pieces of silk brocade matched with the shirt worn on an old painting of Dracula. The casket also contained a cloisonné crown with turquoise stones and a ring similar to those worn by the Order of the Dragon. The contents were taken to the History Museum in Bucharest but have since disappeared without a trace.