- Title: Tourists get their teeth into Halloween at Dracula's castle
- Date: 30th October 2022
- Summary: BRAN, ROMANIA (OCTOBER 29, 2022) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ACTOR DRESSED AS COUNT DRACULA ACTING FOR VISITORS TO CASTLE, SAID TO BE THE INSPIRATION FOR DRACULA'S CASTLE IN THE NOVEL BY BRAM STOKER GUESTS IN COSTUME INTERACTING WITH CAMERA (MUTE) DRONE SHOT OF CASTLE EXTERIOR VARIOUS OF PEOPLE QUEUING TO ENTER CASTLE VARIOUS OF PEOPLE IN CASTLE COURTYARD VIEW OF CASTLE COURTYARD (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARKETING MANAGER FOR CASTLE, ALEXANDRU PRISCU, SAYING: "There's the day tour, which is specially crafted for families with children, and the night tour. Both of them with little light - I mean the night tour is after dark of course - and with actors and effects." STONE 'SECRET' PASSAGEWAY LIT IN RED WOMAN IN COSTUME LAUGHING IN DARK CORRIDOR DINNER TABLE AND FIREPLACE IN DARKNESS SCREEN SHOWING ANIMATION OF VAMPIRE, LIGHT REVEALING CROSS AND GARLIC, VAMPIRE RECOILING (SOUNDBITE) (Romanian) SOFIA (SURNAME NOT GIVEN), MEMBER OF A FAMILY OF MOLDOVAN ORIGIN FROM KYIV WHO FLED TO ROMANIA, SAYING: "I was scared by Dracula. He suddenly showed up on the screen and I was very scared." VARIOUS OF VIDEO PROJECTION OF GHOSTLY WOMAN ACTOR DRESSED AS CHEF IN BLOOD-STAINED CLOTHES WALKING TOWARDS CAMERA WITH CLEAVER TOURISTS IN COSTUME POSING FOR PHOTO WITH ACTORS (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOURIST FROM GERMANY, UWE (SURNAME NOT GIVEN) SAYING: "You know, the atmosphere, it's unique all over the world that you have this kind of castle here, and it's a great experience and you have a special view of the castle on the Halloween night of course." VIDEO PROJECTION OF GRIM REAPER ACTORS, INCLUDING ONE DRESSED AS THE HISTORICAL ROMANIAN WARLORD VLAD TEPES, ALSO KNOWN AS 'VLAD THE IMPALER' VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING THROUGH CORRIDOR WITH HORROR DISPLAYS ON SCREENS ANIMATION ON SCREEN SHOWING HOODED FIGURE BREAKING GLASS TO REACH VIEWER (NIGHT SHOT) LIGHT PROJECTION ON EXTERIOR OF CASTLE SHOWING BATS AND RED LIGHTS
- Embargoed: 13th November 2022 11:45
- Keywords: Bran Castle Count Dracula Halloween celebration Romania costume party vampires
- Location: BRAN, ROMANIA
- City: BRAN, ROMANIA
- Country: Romania
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Europe
- Reuters ID: LVA001568330102022RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Costumed tourists flocked to a castle in Romania said to be the inspiration for the home of Count Dracula on Saturday (October 29) to get into the Halloween spirit.
Perched on an outcrop of rock overlooking a river, Bran Castle is the closest match in the Transylvania region to the home of the fictional vampire described by author Bram Stoker in his 1897 novel, according to information on the castle's website.
The castle is a popular tourist site for its associations with Dracula as well as its long history as a fortress and residence of Romanian royalty.
After passing through the castle courtyard, visitors were greeted by actors in gruesome costumes and spine-tingling decorations and video projections.
Dracula "suddenly showed up on the screen and I was very scared" said one young visitor, Sofia.
German tourist Uwe said the tour was "a unique experience" especially so close to Halloween.
As dark fell, guests gathered for a dance party in the castle courtyard.
Kristin, a tourist from Chicago, said she had enjoyed her visit.
"It was just really awesome to make your way through and not know what to expect", she said.
(Production: Anca Cernat, Lewis Macdonald) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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