Patricia Furstenberg, Writer of Historical Fiction, Children's Books
Travel via Stories
While looking at an old map of Constantinople, Istanbul today, I felt lost even if I knew my way around. Some buildings were there, while others not yet. Old maps can be unsettling, but ancient maps of cities you just visited even more so.
Continue reading “When an Old Map of Constantinople Meets Istanbul City Today”
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.
Continue reading “Stories at Bucharest’s Map Museum: Transylvania in Fries’ 1525 and Mercator’s 1595 Maps, and Dacia in Fries’ 1541 Map”
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?
Continue reading “Where Vlad Dracula Lived – His Last Years, 1462-1476: Captive. Crowned. Killed.”
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.
Continue reading “The Unique National Museum of Maps and Old Books in Bucharest”
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?
Continue reading “Where Did Vlad Dracula Live as Voivode of Wallachia, 1456-1462, Part 5”