transylvania is known as the home of dracula, and the imposing bran castle (just south of brasov) is the epicenter of the dracula universe. vlad tepes was a real person who lived in the area, but the myths of dracula were concocted by bram stoker, who posited many years after tepes that he may have lived in bran castle, despite no evidence to support this. in any case, tourists flock to the castle. there were very few foreign tourists in romania this summer, but the place was still packed with domestic tourists. the castle and the area around it are very picturesque.
there was a semi-temporary extensive exhibit of medieval torture when i was there, which was fascinating, and probably the highlight from my perspective.
