The surname Dracula means 'from the clan of Drac(in native tongue it means Dragon). 'Vlad II Tepes Dracula' is supposed to be the person after whom the Dracula character was created. Tepes means Impale. Vlad II ruled Transylvania in 15th century. His palace is in the midst of a highway which links the western corner of Romania to the eastern part of Romania. This highway was frequently used by traders(mostly Germans and Ottomans(read Turks)). Just behind this palace one can see a thick pine-forest, awesome sight this i.e the palace is facing the plains/landscapes/grasslands on one side and the forest on the other! Vlad II was born in a medievel-town called Singhisora. Singhisora hasnt changed much in the last 500 years and the small streets, bricklanes, churches all give a distinct old-Europe!
The German-population in Transylvania has always had skirmishes with the native-Romanians and Turks during those times. The Germans felt victimised by Vlad II's reign and they started the mass-campaign agains Vlad II and accused him of being a tyrant. And this grapevine was picked by Bram Stoker when he wrote a play on Dracula. Soon, Hollywood picked up this thread and made a huge number of movies surrounding the legend of Dracula!
The Romanian communist government nationalised this castle from the then-rulers. There was a conscious campaign by the Romanian nationalists to ignore the Dracula-story and thus one will be amazed to see the little or no information about the famous-Dracula in this palace. One will get to see the name and photos of 'Queen Maria', who is said to have conserved most of the artifacts in this palace! The palace is the biggest claim to fame of Romania to the western nations. Scores of travellers visit this place. I am sure all the people who have read the Dracula stories and seen those Dracula movies will be disappointed by the little or no documention on Vlad II in this palace.
Contrastingly, the bazaar outside this palace has done a superb job in selling 'Dracula' tourism unlike the government. One gets to see key-chains, clothes, bracelets, tea cups, pencils, idols etc., with Dracula's face on it!
The beautiful landscapes in this part of Romania is a treat to watch, covered by mostly grasslands and small hills!
It's only summer-months does, one get to see this part of country brimming with activity!
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