Stories at Bucharest’s Map Museum: Transylvania in Fries’ 1525 and Mercator’s 1595 Maps, and Dacia in Fries’ 1541 Map

Map Museum16 century map of Transylvania by Gerardus Mercator, hand painted in red, yellow, green, brown watercolours

Stories at Bucharest’s Map Museum unfold through three remarkable early maps: Lorenz Fries’ 1525 map of Transylvania, his 1541 map of Dacia, and Gerardus Mercator’s 1595 map of Transylvania, each offering a glimpse into how cartographers of the past imagined and recorded these historic lands.

15/10/202608/09/2026

Where Vlad Dracula Lived – His Last Years, 1462-1476: Captive. Crowned. Killed.

Vlad Dracula, the Man Behind the Legend visual timeline titled

During his youth, Vladul lived between Wallachia and the Ottoman world; from Ottoman captivity Vlad III traveled to take the throne of his Transalpine land, at Târgoviște; next Vlad, son of Dracul lived exiled in Moldavia and Transylvania; finally he returned to Wallachia, across the Carpathian mountains, for his second and longest reign as Vlad Dracula – but not his last.

Yet, for Vlad Dracula, a first journey ended in exile; this odyssey to the throne will end in chains. As for his last fight – that will make him immortal. But was it what he would have wanted?

05/10/202605/10/2026

The Unique National Museum of Maps and Old Books in Bucharest

National museum of maps and ancient books Bucharest photo Lysandra Furstenberg 2022 #MuseumMonday

Any visit at the National Museum of Maps and Old Books in Bucharest is a memorable adventure.

As a traveller and historical fiction writer I have always trusted maps and had a thing for ancient books. I know I’m not alone.

01/10/202606/09/2026

Where Did Vlad Dracula Live as Voivode of Wallachia, 1456-1462, Part 5

Vlad the Impaler, Curtea Veche Bucuresti

Curious where did Vlad Dracula live during his second and longest reign of Wallachia, besides Targoviste? Then join my travels today.

Vlad had spent years traveling through the Ottoman lands, Moldavia, and Transylvania—but where did Vlad Dracula live during those years, and which courts, fortresses and roads shaped the man he would become?

14/09/202601/09/2026

Slow Gun Poetry: Romanian Words That Endure

Slow Gun Poetry, as Romanian Words That Endure, is inspired by this year’s theme of the Bucharest International Poetry Festival Slow Gun Poetry — Poezie cu bătaie lungă (Long-Range Poetry) inspired by poet Cezar Ivanescu’s reflection on the force of a single mark on a sheet of paper: how a single word can spark ideas, shape consciousness and even ignite revolutions.

This International Poetry Festival is at its 16th edition and takes place in Bucharest, 14-20 September 2026. All images in this blog post depict Bucharest.