A Complete Guide To The Castles Of Transylvania

A mysterious and eerie part of Europe, Transylvania is home to many grand castles and thanks to writers like Bram Stoker, this strange region has gained a reputation for haunted castles and vampires. Most people think of black clouds, the occasional flash of thunder and lightning and dark stone passages, when thinking of Transylvania, yet this could not be further from the truth. This region has stunning scenery, with lush, green meadows, vibrant forests and even majestic mountains.

Peles Castle, Sinaia, Romania

One of the most majestic of all castles in Transylvania, Peles Castle is from the Neo-Renaissance period and it was built in the mid-19th century for King Carol I. It was used as a summer retreat for the Romanian royal family. The castle consists of 160 rooms, each containing spectacular examples of European art, with stunning stained-glass windows and fine Gothic furniture.

Bran Castle, Brasov, Romania

Bran is a small hamlet near the town of Brasov and the castle is often called ‘Dracula’s Castle’, yet there seems to be no connection between the castle and Bram Stoker’s Dracula story. Of course, the locals have always tried to make Bran Castle a tourist attraction and it certainly looks the part – a dark and foreboding structure. If you book one of the luxury European train holidays offered by a leading UK luxury train tour operator, you can tour Bran Castle with an English-speaking guide and take in the splendour and majesty of this amazing fortress.

Corvin (Hunyadi) Castle, Hungary

Construction of this castle began in the mid-15th century when John Hunyadi decided to build on an old fortress built by Charles I of Hungary. The castle comprises of 3 main sections – Knights Hall, Diet Hall and a large circular staircase. The halls are superbly decorated in marble. When John Hunyadi died, the castle became derelict and several major renovations have occurred over the centuries. This castle is one of the most attractive in Transylvania and it is often used for film shoots and commercials.

Rupea Fortress, Rupea, Romania

Located between Brasov and Sighisoara, Rupea Fortress was built by Transylvanians to protect against Ottoman invasions. Even today, the fortress is a formidable structure and it is in very good condition, thanks to regular renovations. You can spend an entire day admiring this unique fortress, which is a classic example of Transylvanian Saxon architecture.

Rasnov Citadel, Brasov, Romania

Built on a hill, Rasnov Citadel was built by Transylvanian Saxons and it was designed to withstand long sieges. Only once did the inhabitants surrender to attackers, in 1612, when the invaders discovered a secret entrance that was used to bring water into the citadel. After that, a well was dug inside the citadel and the secret entrance was walled up.

Poenari Castle, Romania

The castle is now in ruins and it is quite a hike to reach the castle, which was built on the top of cliffs. Some say this was the original Dracula’s castle, although there is no real evidence to confirm this.

If you would like to tour all the above Transylvanian castles, book a cabin on a luxury train and you can tour all of the castles. Start with a Google search to locate the website of a leading UK luxury train tour operator and you can browse their many tours.

Take the Danube Express for the Castles of Transylvania tour, which is 7 nights and 8 days – a tour you will never forget. An English-speaking guide accompanies you when you tour the castles, which makes all the difference.