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BBC News Online: World: Europe


Thursday, 22 March, 2001, 02:31 GMT

Romania builds Dracula Land


Bran Castle in Transylvania where Vlad the Impaler lived
The Romanian Government has announced plans for a theme park in honour of the controversial figure of Count Dracula.

Tourism Minister Matei Dan told journalists the park - Dracula Land - would open in the summer of 2002, at an as yet undisclosed location, widely assumed to be in Transylvania.

Dracula poster
Count Dracula is a Romanian national hero better known outside the country for the association with legends of bloodsucking vampires - as described by 19th century author Bram Stoker.

Mr Dan dismissed criticism that the park would harm Romania's image.

The plans

Announcing the project - expected to cost $60m - he said the park would be a tribute to "the image of a great Romanian hero".

He said the proposal included plans for a Dracula Institute, consisting of several conference rooms and a library.

Mr Dan said the institute would enable contact with about 4,000 Dracula clubs around the world, which would supply visitors to the park.

The minister refused to disclose the location of the new park, which is being built by an American company, in order "to avoid property speculation".

The legend

The myth of Dracula, launched by the 1897 novel of Irish author Bram Stoker, is based on the life of the prince of Vlad, Vlad-the-Impaler.

His escapades against the neighbouring Turks and Hungarians in the 15th century have given him the stature of a national hero in Romania.

Bram Stoker's 1897 book
But to the outside world, he is better known for his appalling cruelty, for impaling his victims on wooden stakes.

The BBC central Europe correspondent, Nick Thorpe, says the novelist combined the already violent accounts of Dracula's life with legends of bloodsucking vampires from the same mountainous regions of eastern Europe.

This heritage worries many Romanian critics of the Dracula Land project.

"There are some voices in Romania who accuse me of selling a false legend," the tourism minister said.

"But I am a pragmatic man and these critics do not put me off.

"This is a fantastic project," he added.


Related to this story:
Tourist board stakes Dracula claim (21 Mar 01 | Scotland) 'Dracula' sex attack suspect arrested (29 Nov 00 | UK) DNA tests in 'Dracula' hunt (31 Jul 00 | UK) Fang-tastic new music for Dracula (06 Oct 99 | Entertainment) Count of the silver screen (02 Mar 01 | Entertainment)


Internet links: Romanian Government | Bram Stoker's online book | Dracula's Homepage |
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