Image: dailymail.co.uk
With home prices on an upswing, it’s downright frightening for wannabe buyers right now in the world of real estate.
But things just got even scarier with the announcement that the infamous Bran Castle – the legendary digs associated with the late Prince Vlad Dracul – is up for sale.
As most horror (and history) fanatics know, Dracul was the inspiration for Brahm Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula, which spawned movies, books and a pop culture image of the sexy slayer we all know and fear.
The creepy count lived in, appropriately enough, a tall, forbidding structure much like Romania’s Bran Castle.
The imposing structure – “Casteul Bran” in its native tongue – was built in the 12th century on the border of Transylvania and Wallachia and was probably unknown to later author Stoker, but according to history, it may have at least loose associations with Vlad III (Vald the Impaler, or Vlad Dracul). The actual castle that captured Stoker’s imagination was similar to Bran Castle, and both were located in the territory then known as Transylvania.
The actual locale where Vlad rested his halberd is now in ruins, but Bran Castle stands as the iconic chilling home for all things vampirish…and now, it’s for sale.
Got Leu?
The sprawling Bran Castle is owned by descendants of the Romanian royal family, but they’re now looking to unload it onto a likely buyer (can’t you just imagine hands rubbing together over a hulking, creepy smile? Sorry for any offense to the Habsburgs, who haven’t shown any real-life bloody tendencies…that we know of).
The asking price is a modest $66 million (about 216,000,000 Romanian leu), but it might be flown off with at a steal, according to realtors, who estimate the final selling price could be as little as $13 million.
But don’t lose your head over the price tag. Look what you’re getting – 57 rooms on 22 acres atop a majestic cliff that just screams location, location, location (at least we THINK those are the screams we hear).
And if you’re short on funds, the royal family won’t necessarily bleed you dry. “If someone comes in with a reasonable offer,” realtor Mark Meyer told the British periodical Telegraph, “…we will seriously entertain the idea.”
Stake Your Claim
Sadly, for most of us, the idea of such a purchase is downright flighty (imagine the commute to your current job?). But you can still dream…or is that a nightmare in the making?
Either way, feast your…er, eyes on these fun and freaky photos of this historic locale.
It looks even spookier at night, meaning you and your loved ones will be sure to throw some killer parties with this pensive purchase. Image: dailymail.co.uk
Looking to stretch your legs? Castle Braun has 57 spacious rooms…and plenty of places to hide the bodies.
Even the good guys look spooky at this creepy castle. Shown here: Romanian priest Petru Darascu, frozen in time in eerie effigy.
Come inside and warm up. You’re looking a little pale. Image: dailymail.co.uk
Make this your resting place…just not a final one. Image: dailymail.co.uk
So you say you like a cozy courtyard? You won’t be disappointed. Image: all-that-is-interesting.com
The locale is huge, sprawling, and elaborate – everything a castle-buyer could want. Image: dailymail.co.uk
Location, location, location: the castle is nestled in amazing greenery. Image: rolandia.eu
