Transylvania, a land shrouded in legend of bloodsuckers and dark overlords, is home to two of Romania's most fascinating castles - Bran Castle and Hunedoara Castle.

Bran Castle, commonly known as 'Dracula's Castle,' is undoubtedly the most iconic building in all of Romania. Situated on a steep hill, it towers over the surrounding area like a sentinel guarding the entrance to the land of vampires. Although historically Vlad the Impaler (the prototype of the literary Dracula) probably never lived here, it was this castle that Bram Stoker chose as the home of his fictional hero. The castle, dating back to the 14th century, impresses with its medieval architecture and mysterious corridors that lead through dozens of chambers filled with old furniture and artifacts. Particularly intriguing are the narrow, winding staircases, secret passages and hidden chambers that add to the place's air of mystery.

The most frightening part of the castle is the so-called 'torture chamber', where tools used to inflict pain in the Middle Ages are gathered. Local legend has it that on moonless nights the moans of Dracula's victims can be heard in the castle, and some tourists claim to have seen shadows flitting through the corridors. The castle is especially popular on Halloween, when special night tours and themed events are held there.

Hunedoar Castle, on the other hand, while less well-known among foreign tourists, is even more impressive and sinister to many. This Gothic fortress, also known as Corvinus Castle, is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe. Built in the 15th century by Jan Hunyadi, father of Matthias Corvinus, the castle impresses with its monumental architecture, which combines Gothic and Renaissance elements.

Hunedoara Castle is famous for its dark legends. One of them tells of a well that was dug by Turkish captives. They were promised freedom if they dug into the water. After 15 years of hard labor, when they finally reached the source, death awaited them instead of freedom. It is said that to this day you can still hear their lamentations coming from the depths of the well. Another story tells of a mysterious tunnel under the castle that leads to hidden treasures, but is guarded by the ghosts of the former residents.

A unique feature of the castle is the Knights' Hall with its impressive columns and vaulted ceiling, as well as the Drawbridge, which, according to legend, was the place where disloyal subjects were executed. The castle is surrounded by a deep moat, which was filled with water in the past and now adds an ominous character to the structure.

The two castles differ significantly. While Bran Castle is smaller, more intimate and strongly associated with the legend of Dracula, Hunedoar Castle impresses with its grandeur, monumental architecture and authentic medieval atmosphere. Bran Castle is more commercial and crowded, especially during the summer season, while Hunedoar Castle offers a more authentic experience and smaller crowds of visitors. Ticket prices are comparable - mid-level in both cases, although you'll have to pay more for additional attractions, such as night tours.

Leaving the dark castles of Transylvania, it's worth heading to two monumental buildings that represent a very different face of Romania - the fairytale-like Peleș Castle and the gigantic People's Palace in Bucharest.

Peleș Castle, located in the picturesque village of Sinaia, is a striking contrast to the grim fortresses of Transylvania. This Neo-Renaissance mansion, built between 1873 and 1914 as the summer residence of King Charles I, is resplendent in splendor and elegance. However, behind the façade of the fairytale palace lie dark secrets and incredible stories.

Peleș Castle was one of the most modern buildings of its time - it had central heating, electricity and even its own power plant. Particularly impressive is the Hall of Honor, with a wooden vault that can be opened on warm days, turning the room into a courtyard. The weapons collection of more than 4,000 artifacts from various eras is awe-inspiring, while secret passageways and hidden doors add to the mansion's air of mystery.

Few tourists know that the castle is said to be haunted. According to local stories, the ghost of King Charles I still walks the corridors of his beloved residence, making sure everything is in perfect order. Castle servants tell of strange noises coming from empty chambers, doors opening of their own accord and portraits of royalty whose eyes seem to follow visitors.

Another terrifying legend associated with the castle is the story of an Italian worker who died during construction. Her ghost is said to appear at night, seeking revenge on the royal family. Some claim to have seen a female figure in a white dress sneaking through the castle gardens at dusk.

In contrast, the People's Palace in Bucharest, also known as the Palace of Parliament, represents a very different kind of horror - a nightmare of communist megalomania. This gigantic building, the second largest in the world after the Pentagon, was erected on the orders of dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu. Its construction, which began in 1984, consumed vast resources at a time when ordinary Romanians were suffering poverty and starvation.

The People's Palace overwhelms with its size - 12 floors (four of which are underground), 1,100 rooms, a total area of 330,000 m² and a height of 84 meters. One million cubic meters of marble, 3,500 tons of crystal for 480 chandeliers and 700,000 tons of steel and bronze were used to build it. To make room for this monstrous structure, Bucharest's historic district was razed to the ground, forcibly displacing some 40,000 residents.

The People's Palace is haunted not by ghosts in the traditional sense, but by the specter of suffering and victims of the Ceaușescu regime. Legends circulate about workers who died during construction and were walled up in the walls to hide the accidents from the dictator. Some guides whisper about strange noises coming from empty halls and mysterious tunnels under the palace that were supposed to serve as escape routes for Ceaușescu in the event of a revolution.

Comparing these two monumental buildings, the contrast could hardly be greater. Peleș Castle captivates with its elegance, harmony and beauty, while the People's Palace overwhelms with its gigantic size and cold splendor. Peleș Castle is surrounded by picturesque mountains and forests, creating a fairy-tale setting, while the People's Palace dominates Bucharest's urban landscape like a concrete colossus. Ticket prices for both venues are about average, though the People's Palace offers different tours at different prices, and some parts of the building are off-limits to tourists, further fueling legends of mysterious rooms and Ceaușescu's hidden treasures.

At the end of our tour of Romania's amazing sites, we'll visit a place that combines death and.... laughter. The Merry Cemetery (Cimitirul Vesel) in Săpânța is one of the most unusual necropolises in the world, which completely breaks the stereotypical image of gloomy, depressing cemeteries.

The Merry Cemetery was created thanks to local artist Ioan Pătraș, who in 1935 began creating colorful wooden tombstones with carved scenes from the lives of the deceased and amusing, often ironic epitaphs. After his death in 1977, the tradition was continued by his student, Dumitru Pop. Today the cemetery has more than 800 bright blue crosses that create a surreal, colorful landscape.

What makes the Merry Cemetery so unusual is its approach to death - instead of mourning and sadness, the tombstones celebrate the lives of the dead, often in a humorous way. Epitaphs, written in the first person, tell of the lives, passions and even the causes of death of those buried there. You can find tombstones depicting a drunkard warning against excessive alcohol consumption, a housewife preparing a meal, or a shepherd watching over sheep.

One of the most famous stories associated with the cemetery concerns the tombstone of a man who was known for his infidelity during his lifetime. His epitaph warns other women to stay away from his wife, who killed him out of jealousy. Another tells the story of a young girl who died tragically under the wheels of a train - her tombstone depicts the moment of the accident and contains poignant words addressed to her parents.

Despite its apparent cheerfulness, the cemetery has something disturbing about it. The bright colors and naive sculptures contrast with the often tragic stories, creating a surreal atmosphere bordering on the grotesque and macabre. Some tourists describe a strange feeling of unease that accompanies their visit - as if the dead, through their colorful tombstones, are still actively participating in the life of the village.

Local legend has it that on the night before All Souls' Day, the souls of the dead return to the cemetery and have a merry feast there, rejoicing in how they were memorialized. It is said that residents of nearby houses then hear laughter and music coming from the cemetery, although no one dares to check.

The Merry Cemetery provides a fascinating contrast to the other sites described earlier. While castles and palaces impress with monumental architecture and opulence, this small rural necropolis charms with its simplicity, folk art and unique approach to death. Bran and Hunedoara Castles exude a dark, Gothic atmosphere, the People's Palace overwhelms with gigantomania, and Peleș Castle impresses with elegance - meanwhile, the Merry Cemetery surprises with color and humor in a place where one would least expect it.

The price of admission to the cemetery is low, making it the most financially accessible attraction of all the places described. Additionally, unlike crowded castles, especially Bran Castle, the Merry Cemetery offers a more intimate experience, allowing for quiet contemplation of this unusual approach to death.

Romania, with its fascinating mix of history, legends and unique traditions, offers much more than the stereotypical associations with Dracula. From monumental castles to communist colossi to colorful cemeteries, each site tells a different story, showing different facets of this fascinating country. Whether you're looking for thrills, historical curiosities, or simply an unusual experience, Romania is sure to have something you'll remember long after you return from your trip.