We can talk about Vlad the Impaler andDracula as one and the same character? Well, no! Dracula is a fictional character and everybody is desirable to distinguish between Vladthe Impaler ashistorical characterand his imaginary Dracula, Bram Stoker created the novel of the same name in 1897.
Bram Stoker was intended to make a person from the Irish stories. During research for the novel came to him stories about Transylvania – a mountainous area, distant and bloody history, which led to change the original name of the place in which the action unfold and establish character castle in Transylvania.

Describing the castle of Dracula, Bram Stoker takes as its starting point an overview of Bran Castle, available in nineteenth century England, this is the only castle in Transylvania, so that was Bran Castleassociated with Dracula.

What has led to confusion between Vlad the Impalerand Dracula?

First, it seems that Prince Vlad the Impalerhad a connection with Bran Castle. The road nearest to Wallachia was in Bran, Brasov closest pass, which in turn link with Targoviste fortress of Vlad the Impaler. Customs fees that were collected were crossing this road at the foot of the castle Bran, but there is no document clearly stating whether or not Vlad the Impalerwon Bran Castle. However, at the end of 1462, Vlad Tepes was taken prisoner by Matei Corvin and jailed for two months in Bran Castle.

Secondly, there are many speculations on the origin of the name „Dracula” that it bears the character of Bram Stoker.

On the one hand, the character’s name is given to a popular Irish name „drochia ola”, which means „bad blood”. On the other hand, the origin, the name „Dracula” had nothing scary, but the association with Vlad the Impaler, a bloodthirsty despot and authoritarian, as it was perceived and legends about ghosts and ghouls in Transylvania, led to creation myth of Dracula. Last but not least, Dracula would come from the name given to an order of crusaders who were associated with both Vlad’s father, and ruler.

Count Dracula in Bram Stoker’s novel is a centuries-old vampire, who was born in the myth that in villages near the Bran that belief in ghosts, come on people who suffer from the curse of immortality and that night haunts villagers because their spirit leaves the body.
So, although there is a tendency to make a connection between Vladthe Impalerthe historical character and fictional Dracula or even confuse you, we should distinguish between the two, between reality and myth.