Vlad the Impaler - The True Story of Dracula

Here is a documentary called "Vlad the Impaler - The True Story of Dracula". It begins with mentioning some facts that I'm also presenting as more as I can. They exagerate when saying the Castle of Bran has absolutely no connection with the story of Vlad the Impaler. In fact is very probable Vlad stopped by once or twice. While the guy mentiones he visited the Castle on his research trip to Transylvania he presents The Cross on Caraiman Mountains (Bucegi Mountains) so everyone could mistakenly associate the Cross with Transylvania. But NO it is not in Transylvania, it is in Wallachia. And the look down to Prahova Valley is on the rivers' flow in Wallachia. Then it presents Braşov city, strongly connected with Vlad the Impaler.

History of Dracula

From the History Channel, the second episode of "The Lost World of Dracula":

It starts with the presentation of Bran Castle, where Vlad Dracula stopped by in 1415. The castle has been modernized by the Romanian Royal Family (remember, Bran Castle belonged to the royal family in the first half of the XX-th century), so its interior is very different from what it was in middle-ages. But, by using floor plans of the castle the experts pieced together how it looked 500 years ago.

Here is a simulated image of Bran Castle, obtained by high class computer simulation. Compare it with a picture of the nowadays Bean Castle and you'll be amazed of how different it is. It was not the gothic castle that we see today, but a strong, secured border castle. Placed of the Transylvanian border with Wallachia, the castle occupies a strategic place. However, building the castle was a huge undertaking. The territory was not allowing easy construction and the first difficulty was getting the stuff on the place.
What few people know is that Dracula, in order to build-up his dream (a strong, independent country of Wallachia) , he had started one of the most ambitious building programs in his small country.

A team of experts explore Vlad's construction projects. After seizing the throne of the princedom of Wallachia, in 1456 , he began an extensive building project, trying to impose order in an unruly land.

Vlad III set his capital city in Târgovişte. Is the place where most of Dracula's atrocities took place. in the XV-th century the rule was pretty very simple in politics: kill or be killed . Vlad's first thought was getting rid of the boyars, that were representing the power in the country, changing the ruling prince upon them wish. The princely court in Târgovişte is strengthened, he build something more imposing than every building erected before. The whole complex was surrounded by walls of 5 feet thick. The construction was made up of cellars. The arches, typical for the byzantine architectural style of building, were constructed using a timber framework and helped creating huge volumes. Once Târgovişte was transformed in a highly secured head-quarter, Dracula had begun exterminating his enemy boyars.


The documentary is to be watched more that once:



See also:

• Sky News documentary about Vlad Dracula and Bran Castle
• History of Dracula on Discovery Channel

Documentary about Vlad Dracula

Third party of the documentary speaks about the medieval town of Sighişoara, the house where Dracula was born in 1430 - 1431, his strange relation with John Hunyadi, governor of Hungary and ruler of Transylvania, a hero of Christian World. Hunyadi's castle in Hunedoara is also presented, with it's gothic architecture and his evolution in time. The legend explains history of Iancu of Hunedoara (John Hunyadi) by him, killing with an arrow ravens that steal his royal ring. Therefore the Hungarian kind decided to give him the lands around Hunedoara, as well as put the raven on John's coat of arms.
Then we can see the ruins of Vlad's princely court in Târgovişte, his first residence as Wallachian ruler. Chindia Tower is also to be seen near the ruins. While is true what the documentary mentions, that Vlad's punishment methods are similar to the one use during middle-ages by other rulers like Ivan Third, Luis 11th, Families of Visconti, Sforza and Borgia, Richard IIIrd or The Inquisition. However I'd say the punishments of Dracula spread allover Europe because he exposed them, he used terror to impose law and order in Wallachia. Is unbelievable people were used to this, were watching this "spectacles" with a strange joy, satisfaction and happiness.
While we are not sure about how Vlad Dracula died, the theory presented (his killing by one of his men) could be true, but there are no proofs to sustain this.

Vlad the Impaler on Discovery Channel

The last part of the documentary presented by Discovery on the history of Vlad the Impaler. Vlad's retreat in Transylvania, his last reign and his death near Bucharest are briefly presented:



Also watch the first and the second part of the documentary .

Vlad the Impaler - Discovery documentary

Vlad the Impaler - Dracula.

The second part of the documentary about Vlad Dracula presents the reign of Vlad Dracula from his second ascent to the Wallachian throne. Professor Raymond Mc Nally , author, together with Prof. Radu R. Florescu of the book "Dracula - prince of many faces", is a real Dracula expert, as well as Matei Cazacu.

Is presented his revenge over the boyars (that allegedly killed his father and elder brother Mircea); boyars are send to build the castle of Poienari, still considered the real Dracula Castle.
The impaling technique is also presented, however so far I haven't heard of any serious proof that Vlad was putting his bread in the blood of the people he was impaling.
The war of 1462, against the Sultan Mehmed II presents impressive war strategy for that time.
Anyway, let's better watch the documentary:

The first part of the documentary is here
The last part of the presentation of Vlad Dracula in the Discovery's series of Most Evil Men in History.

History of Dracula on Discovery Channel

History of Vlad the Impaler

Discovery Channel presents this professional short movie about the life of Vlad III Dracula, in the series "The most evil men in history".

I like it for respecting the historic truth, although McNally sometimes presents as facts some aspects that are only supposed, without enough proofs.

Watch the second part of the documentary.

Documentary Movies about Dracula

Dracula Documentaries

There are a lot of documentary movies about Dracula, both amateur video as well as professional ones.

Movies about Vlad Dracula's life

1. an amateur five minutes video describing Dracula's History.

2. After following the first video here is a proffesional documentary, emphasizing more the myth part of the story around Vlad Ţepeş (Vlad the Impaler), somehow normal considering this is a commercial movie. However I didn't find big errors in the movie, my comments are inside the post.

3. The full documentary about Dracula

Discovery Channel Dracula documentary

4. A professional short documentary with History of Dracula is this one realized by Discovery Channel. You can also watch the documentary about Vlad Dracula here

5. Here we have part 2 of the documentary made by Discovery upon Vlad the Impaler

6. and the third and last part of the Discovery Channel's documentary movie about Dracula

7. Transylvania. History, Legend, Mistery. A very nice romanian documentary presenting Transylvania (even if it starts with the the Sphynx, that is not placed in Transylvania, but few meters away, in Bucegi Mountains. There really are something like two kilometers from the Sphynx to the Dragosn's Ridge, in the same Bucegi mountains, that represents the geographical and geological determination of the limit between Transylvania and Wallachia), the history and the legend of Vlad Dracula. Part II of the documentary about Dracula, the origins of the legends about his cruelty - please also read my comments for this. here is the third part of the documentary about Dracula's life.
Fourth part of the documentary presents the fortified citadels in Transylvania, the reason and the way the fortifications were built, as well as the villger's systems used to defend themselves
Fortified citadels of Fagaras, Codlea, Prejmer, the medieval town of Medias are presented in fifth part.
Middle-ages people's mentality, medieval town of Sibiu, gothic architecture in Cluj Napoca.
Last part of the documentary "Transylvania. History, Legend, Myth" speaks about the beauty of life, the pleasure of discovery and the beauty of history and ...of life.

8. Sky News about Vlad Dracula. Origins of Dracula's name, Bran Castle, Poienari Castle, how Vlad is seen today.

Lost World of Dracula (by History Channel)

9. A fantastic animation brings back to life a lost world: the World of Dracula, of the middle-ages in Transylvania and Wallachia.

10. History of Dracula: Bran Castle, Târgovişte (Dracula's first princely court)

11. Impaling - Vlad favorite punishment. Poienari Castle - it's construction, architecture, engineering.

12. Vlad Dracula's campaign against the Saxons in Braşov. His palace in Bucharest.

Another Dracula Documentary

A short sequence of a documentary aiming to present what is true and what is only myth in all the stories about Vlad the Impaler

Cities of the Underworld. Dracula

Documentary of History Channel

In search of ...Dracula

A nice documentary that I find very helpful for my project. I mind you one of the targets of this project "Dracula - The Truth" is the help distinguishing Dracula myth from the historic reality.
Here it the first part of the documentary
In search of Dracula - part II
In search of Dracula - part III

Vlad Dracula armor and impaling techniques

Here is a documentary by Massimo Polidoro about impalement methods in the middle-ages

Voyager - Documentary about Dracula

Dracula documentary in Italian

Vampire Secrets

Part 1, part 2, focused on Dracula, part 3 - about Elizabeth Bathory, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8, part 9

Documentary short clip about Vlad the Impaler

The life of Vlad the Impaler is briefly presented in this short movie called Killers for Christ.

[UPDATE: Video was removed, but I'll keep the post as a collection of references to others related to Vlad Țepeș]




Here are my comments on it:
1. it is only supposed that Vlad III was born in November or December 1931

2. The facts about Vlad Dracul are true (or what in history is a generally accepted truth), one can find here more details about the fascinating life of Vlad Dracul.

3. After 1448 Vlad came to Vallachia to take the throne and, taking advantage of the fact that Vladislav II was attacking the turks on the right side of the Danube, together with his protected John Hunyadi. In fact the real reason for Vlad's liberation was, from the Turks' part, to set him as a ruler of Wallachia. His brother Radu the Handsom remained and there are good proof that he became sultan's lover.

4. at min. 1:42 indeed in Chindia Tower in Târgoviste there are some copy of the old designs representing the building of Poienari citadel. I only wish to remind that the capital was in Targoviste by that time, that's why there was a 50miles trek up to Poienari.

5. min 2:26 - he used brutal punishment methods (like impaling) againd Transylvanian merchants but especially agains the transylvanian saxon population that was hospitating and sheltering him rivals for the Wallachian throne.

6. Facts about 1462 are generally accepted but the romanian historians still discuss if the Turks' campaig in Wallachia was a failure or a success. Only an unfortunate confusion made Vlad not killed the sultan. While the turkish army was resting on the left side of the Danube, after hardly passing the Danube in Vidin Vlad attacked by night and, even if he has been spying the turks's camp before he missed sultan's tent and so the opportunity to kill him.

7. At 3:42 we can admire the terrifying figure of Bela Lugosi in the movie Dracula, of 1931, the first official movie about Dracula.

Generally this video respect the historic truth and is a good short presentation of Vlad Dracula's life. I really like it for this and highly recommend it !

Dracula Souvenir or Dracula Kitsch ?

While visiting Sighisoara I spot this cups and I couldn't resist the temptation to take some photo:

The kitsch is a danger that appears in all the tourist places (and Sighisoara is such a touristic place).

I think that if Vlad the Impaler looked like this it could only make the people laugh, not scare at all. At least I was rolling on the floor laughing where I cut this photo from a bigger one.

and another cup of...Vlad Dracula:

(poor guy, too much lipstick)

and another one, green of fury:

and the asian Dracula:

An the winner is......

Dracula joke

Dracula joke

Besides the numerous movies (I read somewhere that there are about 300 movies inspired by Dracula), the books and the songs, there are also some jokes about Dracula and the vampires.
Is true that these jokes are confusing people associating the vampires with the myth of Dracula, however I'm going to relate one that I heard yesterday evening on Italian Television RAI 1.

"Somewhere in Transylvania there was a castle (my comment: this is also confusing people: while Vlad the Impaler was born in Sighisoara, Transylvania) he lead Wallachia, died there and was buried also in Wallachia).
On a windy night the castle doors where moving and the thumbs begun to shake. Dracula and two vampires exit and need to eat some blood. They are afraid to go out in the storm, however Dracula get some courage and dears to exit the castle.

After a while he comes back to the others with some blood in the corner of his mouth. The others are excited about him being so brave, such a good hunter and ask him how he managed to get some blood.
- You see that tower up-there? , he says
- Yes, we see it, was it there that you found the victim?
- No, no, is that tower that I head so hard, while looking elsewhere.....

Short clips, slideshows and other media resources about Dracula

Besides the well-known Dracula Movies, there are thousands of short clips, slideshows, interesting images about Dracula and Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler) that (most probably) has inspired Bram Stoker for his book.


Let's start with this slideshow containing images from movies (starting with Dracula, 1931 - the image of Bella Lugosi), the well-known portrait of Vlad the Impaler as well as a relaxing music:

The Immortal, Vampire Myth

Another short clip is this one, rather amusing, called bride of Dracula

Gerard Butler. Dracula makes the music of the night, a nice slideshow.

Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) preparing to seize the Wallachian Throne

After the Moldavian prince Bogdan II gets killed by the men of Petru Aron Vlad goes to Transylvania, probably Sighisoara or Brasov.

John Hunyadi seems to tolerate this as he was afraid Vlad will form an ally with the Turks.
But was not a good moment for that. the new sultan, that will remain in history as Mehmed II the Conqueror, son of Murad II, was preparing the siege over Constantinople and for this he needed to conclude the peace with Hungary and Austria. On November, 20^th, 1451 he signed a three years armistice with Hungary. This was also considering the position of Vladislav, principle of Walachia. His throne was "guaranteed" until the end of the armistice, and if he dies before the end of the armistice no part would have the power to nominate a principle, therefore they will respect the one that the country will choose.

On February, 6^th, 1452, Hunyadi sends a letter to inhabitants of Brasov, mentioning that Vlad Dracula is preparing to attack Vladislav, the Wallachian Prince. He announces them that he has signed a non-belligerence agreement, therefore he will do nothing against Vladislav. Because he knows that Vlad lives in Brasov and prepares to conquer the Wallachian throne without letting him (Hunyadi) know and against his wish. Therefore the inhabitants of Brasov had to disallow Vlad to pass into Wallachia, and to capture him.

Therefore, as Vlad is under his protection he will take care that he is safe and sends him to Moldavia. In Moldavia was Alexandrel occupying the throne again (he had easily defeated Petru Aron with the help of Poland’s King. Vlad however leaves Brasov heading West, to exit the Saxons territory. He was had to avoid not only Hhunyadi’s men, but also the inhabitants of Sibiu, that were forbidding him to enter them town (Stuhl). In Geoagiu, near Orastie, two men of Hunyadi set him a trap that could have been fatal. Vlad III manages to escape and address Hunyadi directly. This one proposes Vlad III to take him under his protection as a subordinate, but Vlad, son of a prince, refuses. This irritates John Hunyadi (Iancu de Hunedoara - in Romanian) which sends Vlad to Moldova (as results from a letter that Iancu de Hunedoara sent to the inhabitants of Brasov in 1452, March, 30th).

On October, 6th,1453 Alexander swear fidelity and obedience to King of Poland. In fact Moldavia was paying tribute to the Ottoman Empire since May, the same year.

Târgsor Prahova - The place where Vladislav II was killed with the approval of Vlad the Impaler

I have recently visit Târgsor, a small village in Prahova County, about 60 km North of Bucharest.
Here Vlad The Impaler or betraying boyars, with his approval) seem to have killed Vladislav II runaway prince when he regain the Wallachian throne.
The place is now an archaeological sit, conserving the ruins of a roman fortification but also those of the XVth century monastery and the princely court mentioned under the name Novum Forum from the time of Mircea the Old. The old monk here spoke me about the moral values of our society, about forgiveness and about enjoying the live as it is !

Vlad the Impaler in Battle Against the Turks

Part 5 of "The Dark Prince" (The true story of Vlad the Impaler) presents one of the first battles of Vlad agianst the turks, but also his meeting with his younger brother Radu, that betraded his country to ally the Turks.

Also scenes of the normal city-life of medieval towns (is seemst o be shot in Sighisoaa, in the middle of Transylvania, not in Târgoviste, the capital of Wallachia, but let's consider this just a small detail). His wife Lidia is horrified by his attrocities, meantime she seems to understand that's the only way the country could be led.

The Dark Prince - life of Vlad Dracula

Here is the 4th part of the great movie about the life of prince Vlad Dracula. He comes to seize the Wallachian throne, thirsty for justice.
Vlad starts with a visit to his father grave (presented as being situated in the monastery of Snagov -although there is no proof about this) and revenge against the noblemen, for killing his father and elder brother, Mircea, but also for the political instability they caused to the country. The country keeps being called "Romania", despite the fact that in middle ages there was no Romania, but this is understandable by the commercial nature of the movie. (People has to know what country the film is talking about, isn't it ?).

Dark Prince The True Story of Dracula

The short sequence below is the movie closest to the historic truth about Dracula. There are some doubts, like the Gothic church where he has to face the heads of the Orthodox church (it is presented like a church in the middle of the lake and the same church of that type is the one in the middle of Snagov Lake, an orthodox one, of course !




here is Part 2 of the movie

The Real Life of Vlad The Impaler – Dracula

Life of Vlad The Impaler Dracula - the Childhood



By most probabilities, Vlad was born in Sighisoara, in the year 1431, presumably November or December. As explained in this post describing briefly Vlad Dracul’s life, 1431 is very probable the year of his birth. And as his father Vlad II (Dracul) was in Sighisoara by that time, running one of the state’s mints, is very probably that he was born in Sighisoara in the house still standing today near the clock tower (you can see it in this picture that I took in march 2004 in Sighisoara).

There is no much information about the childhood of Vlad III but we know how young princes were educated at that time. There was a “preceptor”, usually an important boyar to take care of them education. This one was searching for them masters of arms, equitation, etc. In the Germanic world as Sighisoara was in the 15th century there was an emphasis put on “the seven skills”: equitation, swimming, using arms, the arch, fighting, the court life and the tournament. We can easily suppose that Vlad Dracul, after receiving this kind of education himself at Sigismund’s Court wanted his sons to be educated in the same manner.
Doubtless equitation was the main activity, as the horse was the universal transport modality, as well as the close friend of the warriors. Learning horse riding at the Wallach court was going in parallel with the fights on-horse, or the “harta” – term used then for the hunting parties.

About theoretical skills we can suppose that Vlad didn’t know writing at most he was able to read. That’s because we don’t have letters written by him, neither signatures nor any other proofs. Slavonic was the language used for writing at that time in Romanian countries. However, official correspondence with Saxon towns in Transylvania was sometimes done in Latin Language. We don’t know if Vlad was in knowledge of this language, however we knew he was speaking Turkish after his stay by the Ottoman court.

In 1436 Vlad Dracul took the throne of Wallachia and his children went along with him in Târgoviste. Here the boys get in contact with what princely court life means. He gets in touch with the Princely Court’s ceremonial, with all the political intrigues of the boyars, become conscious of the fragility of the Wallachia’s Throne and of the Wallachia as a state itself, facing Hungary and The Ottoman Empire. Both Mircea (first son of Vlad Dracul) and Vlad seems to have been strongly influenced by the record of Mircea the Elder, them grandfather, although they haven’t seen him alive.

The teenage of Vlad is presented in this post.