Why is Bran castle in Romania called the Dracula castle?

Bran Castle is popularly referred to as "Dracula's Castle" due to its association with the fictional character Dracula, created by Bram Stoker in his 1897 novel "Dracula." However, it's important to note that the castle has no direct connection to the historical figure Vlad the Impaler (Vlad III Dracula), on whom the character of Dracula was loosely based.

Stoker never visited Bran Castle and likely based his descriptions of Dracula's castle on various sources, including other castles and Gothic architectural elements. The association between Bran Castle and Dracula gained prominence in the 20th century, largely due to tourism and the castle's dramatic appearance, which fits well with the popularイメージ of a vampire's lair.

While Bran Castle is a popular tourist attraction due to its Gothic architecture and the Dracula legend, it is essential to recognize that the connection to Vlad the Impaler and the fictional Dracula is largely symbolic and based on literary interpretation rather than historical fact.