While the character of Dracula is fictional, it was inspired by the historical figure of Vlad III, also known as Vlad the Impaler. Vlad III was a Romanian prince who ruled Wallachia in the 15th century, known for his brutal methods of execution, including impalement.
Though there is no evidence that Vlad was actually a vampire, his terrifying reputation and the dark historical context of his reign provided fertile ground for the creation of the vampire myth.