Princess’ Family Wants ‘Dracula’s Castle’ Back
The descendants of a former Romanian princess are suing the government for the return of an ancient fortress known as “Dracula’s Castle”--or $25 million in compensation.
Culture Minister Razvan Theodorescu said the state would treat the claim from former Princess Ileana’s family “calmly,” but he suggested that it was out of line since the state has repaired the 14th century fortress in the Transylvanian town of Bran.
Vlad the Impaler--the Romanian warrior prince who gave rise to the Dracula legend--never lived in the castle. Nonetheless, it is known as “Dracula’s Castle” and is popular with tourists and filmmakers.
Ileana, a daughter of King Ferdinand, had five kids. She emigrated to the U.S. in 1950 and died in 1991.
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