Transylvania Tours
Transylvania Tours
Transylvania Tours
Transylvania Tours
Transylvania Tours

Dracula in Wallachia - 2 day trip

Stories, legends, myths, fairytales

Each corner of the Wallachia region is filled with stories, legends, and myths, imported from the pagan times. Related to various ceremonies, including death rituals, these customs and traditions hide deep meanings, about human relationships, or about people's relationships with nature.

This tour follows locations related to Vlad the Impaler (Tepes), the Wallachia prince who ruled the region in the 15th century, as well as places rich in history since the immemorial times. Our sights will be enchanted by unique, unreal and truly magical places, full of history and legends, surrounded by enchanting picturesque landscapes.

Day 1. Bucharest - Vidraru

Drive up north, towards the mountains.

Stone Ravens (Corbii de Piatra) Monastery was excavated in a gigantic rock wall, measuring 30 meters high and 15 meters long, being the only place of worship in Romania that has 2 functional altars on a single nave. It has used as temple by Dacians, church by Christians, court by Neagoe Basarab prince of Wallachia in 13th century, or hide (by outlaws); 14th murals in Byzantine tradition adorn the walls, the oldest of its kind in Romania. Active since the 18th century either as church or monastery.

The drive continues to the mountains, upstream the Arges river. Poenari fortress stands on a cliff, overlooking the valley; accessible to those tourists willing to make the harsh trip to visit it by ascending 1480 stairs up a steep hill, the fortress actually has true ties to Dracula. It was first erected at the start of the 13th century by Wallachian leaders, then fall into ruins until Vlad the Impaler noticed its potential to be revived and usefulness for defensive strategy. Legends states that noblemen who plotted against him were used to refurbish the place, and then killed or impaled in the valley once the construction was completed. We are taking our way up knowing about a beautiful reward with incredible views from the mountain-top

Deep in the valley, where the steep walls seem to touch each other, we discover Vidraru dam. The construction was finished in 1966, the 5th biggest in Europe at that time; the view towards the background mountains with zipped ridges and the water below is impressive. Across the dam, on the hilltop we discover the statue of Prometheus from the Greek mythology, the son of Iapetus and Clymena, who stole fire from the Gods to give it to the people, therefore he was trapped by Zeus, and chained on a rock.

Accommodation in the area, traditional B&B, dinner included.

Day 2. Vidraru - Bucharest

We’re following Dracula, towards Bucharest, the city that was documented first during his reign, in 1459.

Highlights: The Royal Court of Targoviste, Snagov Monastery.

The Royal Court of Targoviste, the former capital of Wallachia. It was built in the 14th century and strengthened by Mircea cel Batran’s (Mircea the Old) time and used as fortification and residence by the next rulers of Wallachia; among the construction that are still standing today we mention: the Royal Church built by Petru Cercel in 1584 and the famous and beautiful Chindia Tower, built by Dracula, in the 1450’s.

The court ensemble includes the Museum of Printing and Old Romanian Book, an imposing New-Romanian style building which houses rare manuscripts about religion and school system, since the 16th century onwards, also a 18th century print.

Close to Bucharest we pay a visit to Snagov Monastery - an oasis of tranquility in the middle of nature, the presuming tomb of Dracula. As it was his life, veiled in mystery, so the death.

The monastery, located on an island by Snagov lake represents an architectural gem of feudal art, important for the Wallachia spirituality and culture during the Middle Ages. The beginnings are traced back to the 13th century, when a small chapel was built, then in 1456 Dracula decided to develop the construction, adding also a prison for traitors, a connection bridge to the earth, and an underwater refuge tunnel (which doesn’t exist anymore).

The main church lasted since the 16th century, during the time of Neagoe Basarab (1521), being refurbished a century later by Matei Basarab, which endowed the settlement with a printing press. The interior frescoes, representing some religious moments as well important leaders of Wallachia represent one of the largest mural ensembles from the Middle Ages, preserved in a church from this region.

We know that Dracula was either murdered in a battle against the Turks, or assassinated by the Wallachian boyars which were against his leading style, in 1476. The head was sent at Istanbul and the body buried in a place which is still a mystery. One version states that the monks buried him in this remote setting, with an additional precaution: the body was placed deep beneath the church floor. Above his tomb they created a false grave and filled it with animal bones; so, the archeological findings from 1933 reveal only the latter.

Return to Bucharest by evening.

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Description

Each corner of the Wallachia region is filled with stories, legends, and myths, imported from the pagan times. Related to various ceremonies, including death rituals, these customs and traditions hide deep meanings, about human relationships, or about people's relationships with nature.

This tour follows locations related to Vlad the Impaler (Tepes), the Wallachia prince who ruled the region in the 15th century, as well as places rich in history since the immemorial times. Our sights will be enchanted by unique, unreal and truly magical places, full of history and legends, surrounded by enchanting picturesque landscapes.

Day 1. Bucharest - Vidraru

Drive up north, towards the mountains.

Stone Ravens (Corbii de Piatra) Monastery was excavated in a gigantic rock wall, measuring 30 meters high and 15 meters long, being the only place of worship in Romania that has 2 functional altars on a single nave. It has used as temple by Dacians, church by Christians, court by Neagoe Basarab prince of Wallachia in 13th century, or hide (by outlaws); 14th murals in Byzantine tradition adorn the walls, the oldest of its kind in Romania. Active since the 18th century either as church or monastery.

The drive continues to the mountains, upstream the Arges river. Poenari fortress stands on a cliff, overlooking the valley; accessible to those tourists willing to make the harsh trip to visit it by ascending 1480 stairs up a steep hill, the fortress actually has true ties to Dracula. It was first erected at the start of the 13th century by Wallachian leaders, then fall into ruins until Vlad the Impaler noticed its potential to be revived and usefulness for defensive strategy. Legends states that noblemen who plotted against him were used to refurbish the place, and then killed or impaled in the valley once the construction was completed. We are taking our way up knowing about a beautiful reward with incredible views from the mountain-top

Deep in the valley, where the steep walls seem to touch each other, we discover Vidraru dam. The construction was finished in 1966, the 5th biggest in Europe at that time; the view towards the background mountains with zipped ridges and the water below is impressive. Across the dam, on the hilltop we discover the statue of Prometheus from the Greek mythology, the son of Iapetus and Clymena, who stole fire from the Gods to give it to the people, therefore he was trapped by Zeus, and chained on a rock.

Accommodation in the area, traditional B&B, dinner included.

Day 2. Vidraru - Bucharest

We’re following Dracula, towards Bucharest, the city that was documented first during his reign, in 1459.

Highlights: The Royal Court of Targoviste, Snagov Monastery.

The Royal Court of Targoviste, the former capital of Wallachia. It was built in the 14th century and strengthened by Mircea cel Batran’s (Mircea the Old) time and used as fortification and residence by the next rulers of Wallachia; among the construction that are still standing today we mention: the Royal Church built by Petru Cercel in 1584 and the famous and beautiful Chindia Tower, built by Dracula, in the 1450’s.

The court ensemble includes the Museum of Printing and Old Romanian Book, an imposing New-Romanian style building which houses rare manuscripts about religion and school system, since the 16th century onwards, also a 18th century print.

Close to Bucharest we pay a visit to Snagov Monastery - an oasis of tranquility in the middle of nature, the presuming tomb of Dracula. As it was his life, veiled in mystery, so the death.

The monastery, located on an island by Snagov lake represents an architectural gem of feudal art, important for the Wallachia spirituality and culture during the Middle Ages. The beginnings are traced back to the 13th century, when a small chapel was built, then in 1456 Dracula decided to develop the construction, adding also a prison for traitors, a connection bridge to the earth, and an underwater refuge tunnel (which doesn’t exist anymore).

The main church lasted since the 16th century, during the time of Neagoe Basarab (1521), being refurbished a century later by Matei Basarab, which endowed the settlement with a printing press. The interior frescoes, representing some religious moments as well important leaders of Wallachia represent one of the largest mural ensembles from the Middle Ages, preserved in a church from this region.

We know that Dracula was either murdered in a battle against the Turks, or assassinated by the Wallachian boyars which were against his leading style, in 1476. The head was sent at Istanbul and the body buried in a place which is still a mystery. One version states that the monks buried him in this remote setting, with an additional precaution: the body was placed deep beneath the church floor. Above his tomb they created a false grave and filled it with animal bones; so, the archeological findings from 1933 reveal only the latter.

Return to Bucharest by evening.

Price

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Included:

  • 1 night accommodation in Vidraru dam area, 3* traditional B&B
  • Traditional dinner
  • Round-trip transport by air-conditioned car or minivan   
  • Professional and friendly English speaking driver-guide for the entire tour – escorted tour

 

Not Included:

  • entrance fees to the attractions 
  • meals, except breakfast 

 

Private and fully refundable tour. 

The tour is fully refundable in case of cancelling up to 30 days before the scheduled trip

Special prices for groups! Contact us to get a quotation.

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