VLAD, THE IMPALER

Probably one of my favorite sites to see while in Budapest was in the heart of the Hungarian capital...a medieval castle that at first glance you would think dates back thousands of years. Vajdahunyad Castle is located in City Park and after visiting there it is one stop that should be on your list. The entrance to City Park is known as Heros Square and reflects the various Hungarian leaders throughout history.

The history of the Vajdahunyad Castle is actually more a recent then you might think. Construction started o this beautiful medieval masterpiece in the late 19th century and was finished in 1896. The original construction of the castle was made out of wood and cardboard...a unique feature which of course didn't stand the test of time. In the mid 20th century, the Budapest government decided to make Vajdahunyad Castle a more permanent structure using brick and stone and was completed in 1908. You may be wondering what it is so spectacular and special about this place that I loved so much? Aside from the beautiful exterior and the overall appearance of the castle, the overall design has an inherent meaning which the architect, Ignac Alpar, intended. His design mimics each architectural style in Hungarian history. From Romanesque to Gothic to Baroque, Vajdahunyad Castle features a number of components in the architectural design that reflects each of the styles. As you begin exploring the grounds, it's possible that will you notice more artistic styles in the composition of the castle. Depicting some of Hungary's most beautiful places. The castle exquisitely takes some of the most breathtaking elements and ideas of these prestigious landmarks.

The Church of Jak was probably the oldest part and the original part of the castle and was in fact a monumental basilica of the Benedictine monastery and was finish around 1256. The church was picked as the best representation of the Romanesque architecture in Hungary. And managed to survive the many battles against the Ottoman Turks, the great fires and other damages. The church of Jak was restored in the late 19th century by Frigyes Schulek, the architect of Fisherman's Bastion from a previous post.

And if that isn't enough, it is also where Bram Stoker is said to get his inspiration for Count Dracula and its castle in the story. Stoker had visited this castle prior to writing the Dracula novels. Dracula's character was most probably based on Vlad the Impaler, the 15th century Transylvanian prince, also known as Vlad III Dracul of Wallachia, who was imprisoned by John Hunyadi in Vajdahunyad Castle for years. So, there is that. The place did indeed give me some sort of eerie vibes I can't lie. But most beautiful...and it's charms draw me in.