Ruins of Poenari Castle (Real Dracula's Castle)

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

THANKS FOR WATCHING!! 👍 If you enjoyed the video please consider LIKING & SUBSCRIBING - they really help me out! 👍 🇷🇴 All of my ROMANIA videos → bit.ly/mwt_romania | 📍 My videos on a TRAVEL MAP → bit.ly/mwt_map

[@nathanbarger3449]

I would love to see the place. But I would need a ton of energy drinks to get me up the mountain.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

I know what you mean Nathan. After a few hundred steps I was pretty worn out but I knew the reward would be seeing the castle so i stuck with it!

[@christopherstevenrankin]

I agree. And i don't even drink those.

[@larryhobgoblin6172]

It’s because you have a shit diet

[@claudiu8426]

Romanians* Wallachians or Vlah is an exonym (=a name used exclusively by foreigners). Romanians (be they moldovan, transilvanian or wallachian) called themselves romanians. Wallachia itself is an exonym. Its romanian name (the native one used by its inhabitants în their native tongue) was "Țara Românească" (meaning "Land of the romans/romanians"). Moldova too appears as "Țara Românească a Moldovei" in internal documents. I wanted to clarify also this aspect. Welcome to our country! :)

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you very much for the welcome, I had a great time and enjoyed my trip very much. Thanks for the information, I was enjoy learning more about the places I visit - there's always so much to know!

[@Klklk181]

Imagine VLAD having encountered bears and bears running away from him

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Yeah tell me about it! Vlad = bears running away, Me = bears running after me!

[@Enk64]

I'll just point out the H in Wallachia is silent, so it's pronounced 'Wa - Lacky - Ah'

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you, that's really useful. Always good to get an example. Thanks again!

[@timelesstimeless6892]

In English maybe. In Romanian the H is loud and clear pronounced. The Romanian form is "Valahia" (pronounced "va'la.hi.a").

[@WITYTRAVELS]

Great location for your hotel. It's nice to be able to see your goal right off the bat. So mean of those school children to chase you! Maybe they were being chased by a bear.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Turns out they were after my autograph. ☺️

[@WITYTRAVELS]

@@MattWhitingsEurope 💰💰💸🤑

[@sethguest781]

It would be fantastic to see Poenari Castle rebuilt, from what I saw in a 3D recreation of the fortress in its heyday, although it was small, it looked quite impressive for a residence for a man like Vlad III Dracula.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Totally agree! Thanks for watching. 👍

[@timelesstimeless6892]

It was a fortress and an observation point, not a residence.

[@sethguest781]

@@timelesstimeless6892 I understand that, it was built primarily for stationing garrisons not hosting fancy parties and such, nothing glamourous but necessary to defend the borders. But they said Vlad was in such a tight spot being pursued by his enemies he had no choice but to live there as the country didn't have very many decent livable castles save for Bran. He also would have preferred such an area as it made it more difficult for his foes to reach him.

[@timelesstimeless6892]

First of all, Transylvania and Wallachia were different countries then and Bran Castle was in Transylvania, which was under Hungarian rule. Vlad was the ruler of Wallachia. Vlad resided between Bucharest and Targoviste, the two capitals of Wallachia. Targoviste was walled, Bucharest no. So the ruler and its court were living in one city or another (depending on the Ottomans' attacks).

[@sethguest781]

@@timelesstimeless6892 As I stated previously, he was always looking to get beyond the reach of his enemies and from your statement that says he was always constantly moving around and would have his court in the most well-defended cities whenever danger threatened. However, because of the meddling of his traitorous half-brother Radu, he was forced to flee when the Ottomans approached Poenari in full force and attacked the citadel. Only because of Bram Stoker's hit novel (which is kind of meh) that Bran is often associated with him it seems.

[@lewiscollins4842]

Brilliant video thank you

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.

[@tonycarver9570]

I'd love to camp inside the ruins overnight. Spooky!

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

I'm not sure if I would dare 🫣

[@OlgasBritishFells]

Oh my goodness, so many steps! Interesting castle and the Vlad the Impaler's history. It would be cool to see a bear but from afar :-)

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

That's exactly what I was thinking, please let me see a bear but one that's on the other side of the valley! 😄

[@jovsitalo]

Excellent video! I noticed you are wearing a jacket and it looks like autumn. Was this video taken last year? On Google it says the castle is closed. I've been waiting forever to visit Romania and this castle is high on my list😊

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. It was actually filmed a few years ago now, right at the end of October. I just had a look at their website and they have the following press release that you might find interesting- "The Poienari Fortress, one of the county's main tourist attractions, will undergo an extensive restoration and rehabilitation process. It will be closed to the public starting Monday, November 8, 2021. The general objective of the project is to boost local development by preserving and consolidating the cultural heritage of the Poienari - Argeș Fortress, respecting the principles of sustainable development." It sounds like it will reopen when refurbished but sadly it doesn't say when - hopefully not too long! Hopefully you get to go there, it's a remarkable place set in the mountains and forests, beautiful area!

[@christopherstevenrankin]

When i think of dracula castle this is what comes to mind.

[@priestessmikokikyo77]

May Vlad III Dracula RIP with his family in heaven. He may of not been a vampire but i believe in the myth of him. He struck fear into the hearts of his enemies, he died a hero and a brave and fierce warrior to his people. He was truly one of the greatest hero's of his time. I pray he lives on forever and ever in the hearts and minds of his people and the generations to come after we are all long dead! God rest the Prince's soul forever. His legend lives on! Love you Vlad forever!

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thanks for the information and context, it’s an area I need to do a bit more research on. Very interesting though!

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

@@harryluceromason 👍

[@christian2M]

As romanian I can tell you that Vlad III Drăculea called Vlad Țepeș, a.k.a. Dracula is in our hearts 4ver. In all big cities in Romania there is a street with the name: Vlad Țepeș.

[@Tante90Emma]

Very interesting, thank you for sharing your journey with us.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for tuning in 👍

[@PrinceAsmodeus]

You know you're a bad person when you have to build a fortress on top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

I enjoyed learning about the history of the castle, I know there's plenty of Romanians who don't see him as a bad person. In fact quite the opposite. Thanks for your comment!

[@alexandrupatru2892]

You know you're a good person when you defend your country from invaders and restore an already built fortress that had the exact same purpose. There's no greater symbol of anti-corruption and fair justice that should make criminals and invading evil empires think twice than Vlad III. The only people that feared him were monsters. And this is how it should be: darkness has to be fought with light, evil with good.

[@PRISCILADUARTE28]

When did you go?

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Right at the end of October.

[@PRISCILADUARTE28]

@@MattWhitingsEurope Thank you. I was told that this time of year is very dangerous because of the bears. I am Brazilian and I am going to Bucharest again in July 2025. I would like to find a tour to this destination! Thank you very much for the video and details.🙏

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

You're welcome. Hope they can help you plan your trip. It's about this time the bears are looking for a final feast before hibernation, there are plenty of signs around so I think it's quite common for them to be in the area. It felt a bit eerie being up there alone, especially when all the tour groups left - it would be much safer to be in a group I think.

[@PostcardAndAPint]

Oo we want to visit here so much! Wills really wants to explore Transylvania. It looks stunning. Looks like quite the climb! It’s a fascinating castle. Great tour. Loved the drone work. Glad you didn’t run into a bear!! Cheers 🍻

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

You really should! I just scratched the surface but it looked like a wonderful area of the country. Glad you liked the drone shots - thanks! Very happy that I didn't run into a bear although seeing one in the wild would be amazing, as long as it's at a safe distance! If there is such a thing regarding a bear!

[@timelesstimeless6892]

Poenari Castle is not in Transylvania, it is in Valahia /Wallachia (or Tara Romaneasca).

[@robinr6919]

Those kids really ruined it for you. I felt vicariously.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Ha it was quite unexpected, thought I was going to be the only one! I've got to admit that once all the children left it was nice to explore the castle on my own. It was an amazing experience! Thanks for watching and Happy New Year to you!

[@wisperingbeard]

Great footage!

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you 😀

[@jorgemoreira2406]

This is the ral dracul castle, not bran castle ❤❤❤

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Agreed! Cool place!

[@priestessmikokikyo77]

That it is, people say Vlad could have spent the night or two at castle bran, before continuing his journey.

[@escapetoparadise2226]

Hotel near by?

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Yes I stayed aty a hotel called the Pensiunea Dracula. Cool place!