Follow In The Footsteps Of.....
Prince Charles and Count Dracula in Transylvania
The traditional home of Count Dracula seems an unlikely place to find the future British king, but Prince Charles is soon to visit his newly renovated house there.
Until the end of the war, Transylvania was batted between Romania (which now claims it) and Hungary, so both languages are prevalent. It is an area of forest (Transylvania translated from the Latin means ‘the land beyond the forest’), mountains, small villages and a pace of life more reminiscent of the 19th rather than the 21st century.
Prince Charles bought a former judge’s home in Zalanpatak, with 37 acres of land, in remote eastern Transylvania in 2008; it sits at the end of a forest track, overlooking pastures and two streams.
The appeal of the quiet, sustainable, picturesque villages built with traditional techniques is obvious for HRH The Prince of Wales, whose vision of arcadia is unspoilt, unenclosed countryside, unpolluted by modern farming practices.
Despite small signs of progress since the demise of Nicolae Ceausescu in 1989 and Romania’s subsequent admittance to the European Union three years ago, it remains an idyllic, peaceful area for visitors – although no doubt a harder life for those living there.
The village of Viscri, just north of Charles’ home, is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Photogenic horses and carts are still the usual transport. And the fact that there are wolves, lynxes and even bears in the woods adds a frisson of excitement and adventure for any traveller to the region.
Transylvania is home to some of Europe’s best-preserved medieval towns, most notably Brasov, featuring Old Saxon architecture and citadel ruins; Sibiu with its cobblestone streets and pastel-colored houses, and SighisoaraM, adorned with a hilltop citadel, secret passageways and a 14th century clock tower. Tiny shops offer antiques and fine hand-made products by local artisans and artists.
One little known fact is that Romania is one of the world’s leading producers of cabbage! It forms the basis for the delicious national dish, “Varza a la Cluj” – the Romanian version of lasagne - prepared from several layers of finely shredded cabbage (fresh or sour), minced pork or veal, mixed with rice and bacon and baked in the oven.
Visitors will also encounter stunning castles such as Bran, near Brasov, - a Gothic fairy-tale structure, often associated with 15th century Walachian Prince Vlad Tepes, the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula. While the connection with Vlad is tenuous, the deep bond of local villagers with the legend is not.
So whether it is the prospect of vampire tales or the lure of a visit to a way of life largely lost in the rest of Europe, Haslemere Travel can help you find your way around Transylvania – without recourse to any need for garlic or stakes!
Call the expert team on 01428 658777 or visit our shop at 2/4 Petworth Road, Haslemere.
