House of Drăculești

Research reveals the medical motive behind Vlad the Impaler’s tears of blood

Cloaked in a black cape like the infamous count himself, 10-year-old Niklas Schuetz runs through the dark corridors of a hill-top castle in search of the truth about Dracula.

"He was a Romanian prince, not a vampire," said the schoolboy, as he tripped by torchlight through the nocturnal gloom of Forchtenstein Castle.

While many Romanians revere the 15th-century prince nicknamed 'Vlad the Impaler' as a national hero, a Turkish production has stirred a debate by presenting a darker side.

History enthusiasts are holding their breaths for the restoration of Tokat Castle in Turkey, where archeologists say Vlad the Impaler was held hostage for four years in the 15th century. (DHA Photo)

The Bucharest Municipality Museum launched on Wednesday the "Cinema Museion" section of its website, which provides free access to a collection of vintage documentary films that provide additional information to the resources represented by the permanent and thematic exhibitions which are temporarily closed until the state of emergency is lifted.

The first documented mention of the "citadel of Bucharest" as princely residence comes up in a document issued on 20 September 1459 by Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler), ruler of Wallachia (1448, 1456-1462, 1476-1477).

Dracula's story, apart from being filmed by Hollywood, is also recorded in historical documents - which lead to the northern Bulgaria's town Svishtov.

Water coming out of a hidden tunnel has caused difficulty in the progress of the restoration work on Tokat Castle, also known as the "dungeon of Dracula."

The hidden tunnel, named "Ceylan Yolu," was discovered during the restoration work, which started in 2009, on Tokat Castle in the northern Anatolian province of Tokat.

A Danish YouTuber calling himself Vlad Tepes, filmed himself crossing the German boarders with a mask and holding an ISIS flag.

Thousands of visitors, mostly from Western countries but including Romanians, too, have been heading for Bran Castle in Romania's Transylvania region this weekend to celebrate Halloween in the so-called home of Count Dracula.