If you love to travel know that at Bran Castle in Transylvania Romania, there is exciting history awaiting for you and you can get your Covid-19 vaccine too. No appointment necessary, but do consult official sourced before heading to Bran.
And, while still at Bran Castle after you received your Pfizer vaccine you will be rewarded with a free tour of the 52 medieval instruments of torture…
This is Bran Castle part 1, where we commence.
“Who blinks in the night? Who watches from its inky spark?
A wolf’s call, is it a chant? A lonely howl? A witch’s chant?
An owl’s hoot, is it despair? Is it a lost love song, to the moon?
The light that flickers in the night, up in the tower, were none lives, is it a dream? A traveler that’s found safe ground? Or ’tis a memory that’s lost, without a lord?”
(Patricia Furstenberg)
Bran Castle rose at the right moment in history, and in the right place, on a mountain slope between Bucegi Mountain and Piatra Craiului, King’s Stone, overlooking Bran Gorge. A mighty pass, where trade routes overlapped military tracks during a rough history.
It was the beginning of the 10th century when the aggressive Hungarian empire extended eastwards, over the mighty forest, in Transylvania.
In 1211 Hungarian King Andrew II, eager to secure his kingdom against any inner turmoil… by enforcing of Magyar policies in the region, and against outside attacks… of the neighboring Cuman tribes, and later the Tatars and the Ottomans too, King Andrew II donated this land of Burzenland, with its mountains and forests, its rivers too, known as Țara Bârsei, to the Teutonic Knights…
Assuring the castle’s inhabitants autonomy during long sieges, a water well (detail above) provided resources for putting out fires, or cheap ammunition – if boiled…
The well of Bran Castle is extra special for it was dug 60 feet (20 meters) deep through solid rock (remember, the castle sits atop a mighty cliff).
As Bran Castle, the secret (at least one of them) lies in the well…
It is said that just above the water level there is access to a secret room where the castle’s treasury was hid in times of attack.
Is the passage still there? I’ll tell you in a later blog post.
So, soon after the Teutonic Knights began work on a wooden castle, and the time of the German migration into Transylvania began.
We’ll return to Bran Castle soon and pick up where we left off.
Quick update on my writing
My work in progress #2, historical fiction set in medieval Transylvania, reached just over 78 000 words, up 20 000 words from last Thursday. I can see myself approaching its completion. I know how it will end, but ’tis still a winding and exciting road ahead 🙂 and I’m enjoying it very much.
Thursday Doors is a blog feature everyone can take part in, hosted by Dan Antion over at No Facilities blog – where you can discover more doors from around the world.
If you decide to travel to Bran Castle to get your Covid-19 Vaccine know that the unique vaccination center at Bran Castle is part of the Romanian government’s initiative to vaccinate 10 million people by September (just over half the country’s population).
In comparison, know that South Africa started its vaccination program in February and today, three month later, only (just over) 400 000 people – medical staff – have been vaccinated (out of nearly 58 million souls). Those over 60 years of age can also get their shot from Monday.
As always, you can find all my books on Amazon.
Too funny! Get stung at a vampire castle. 🙂 Say, is that you the one who wrote the poem at the beginning? I’m impressed. Bravo, Patricia! And know that I’m excited about your new book as well. I’m glad you progress so nicely.
Yes, that’s my poem, Jo. Thank you 🙂
I also found this to be a commendable idea, offering a Covid-19 shot in such a memorable location. Wish I could go! 😉
Oh, so my comment wasn’t lost. 🙂 Well, I don’t regret saying twice how much I liked your poem. ❤️
🙂
I commented on your site and I think my words are gone. Eh! I was praising you for your verses at the beginning of the post. Then I said I was happy that you progress so nicely with your book. ❤️ And of course I got amused by the idea of getting stung at a vampire’s castle. 🙂
Your first comment worked. Maybe WordPress took an extra bit this morning.
Thanks, Jo. Have a lovely Thursday further!
And to think I got my shots in a drab modern pharmacy. This is such an intriguing offer, and a great idea. I love the story about the secret passage. I look forward to the answer.
I meant to add congratulations on the progress you’ve made on you work-in-progress.
Isn’t it? An one of a kind idea. Imagine, for once in your life you look forward to getting a shot 😉
I think this secret passage will be the closest I’ll ever get to owning one. But, never say never. After all, even Dan Brown has one in his home 😉
And kind thanks for your support. Last year I wrote 150 000 words alone on my blog. I am sure that you did too, even more. This time I must condense my writing, time-wise. And hold myself accountable 😉
I am also working on a writing project “off blog” and it is a very different demand. I am impressed with your progress.
Best of luck with it, Dan.
I discovered that keeping track of my daily writing progress helps me, in the long run.
Hi Patricia! Wow, getting the Covid-19 vaccine at a castle makes the experience much more appealing and interesting.
Congratulations on your writing progress!
Something to remember, isn’t it 🙂
And thank you so very much!!
Da, mi se pare o idee geniala … o campanie de marketing super marfa
Desteapta foc 🙂
I’ve always wanted to go there.
I do hope you will, Joanne 🙂
That is a good incentive to get folks to go for the vaccine. Amazing castle thanks for the tour
I thought so to and I am sorry that we’re not in Romania right now 🙂 My kids would have loved it!
Great pleasure, Alice, thank you for visiting.
I think that’s an excellent idea, Patricia, a good incentive to get the vaccination and get to see something this interesting, although it amuses me that seeing instruments of torture is linked to getting the Covid shot. 🙂 It’s an attractive castle and I enjoyed your poem.
janet
Original, isn’t it?
Oh, I think the torture room has an entrance of it’s own so they can make that part of the castle free to visit.
Thank you, Janet 🙂
Vaccinated in a castle . . . cool! Excellent post that began with a great poem, fascinating history . . . a secret door in a well. 🙂 I wish you all the best as well in your WIP.
Thanks, Mark!
Few would refuse such an opportunity, isn’t it? Too bad we have international travel restrictions…
Love it! Especially the secret door 🙂
Yes, isn’t it 🙂 But no way would I crawl in there…