In early May 2021, Bran Castle—iconic for its Dracula legend—announced a COVID-19 vaccination center on its historic grounds. This creative initiative has effectively drawn local visitors and boosted vaccination rates, with crowds surging since the reveal.
In 2014, archaeologists uncovered secret galleries and cells during renovations at Tokat Castle in Turkey. One cell reportedly held Vlad, Prince of Wallachia—the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula—on orders from Ottoman Sultan Murad II. While no historical records link 15th-century Romanian ruler Vlad III "the Impaler" to Bran Castle in Transylvania, the site embraces this folklore with immersive tours. Each year, it draws between 400,000 and 500,000 visitors.
Romania faced over one million COVID-19 cases and around 30,000 deaths, slashing Bran Castle's attendance. In response, administrators posted on Facebook on May 7, 2021, announcing a vaccination center in the castle's medieval customs buildings, operating Fridays through Sundays all month.
Bookings have poured in since the announcement. Vaccinated visitors can tour the castle—no obligation required—and enjoy free access to the torture instruments exhibit. Those receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech dose get a themed certificate featuring a vampire-fanged nurse with a syringe, praising their "temerity and responsibility" and granting castle entry "for the next hundred years."
This bold move at Bran Castle smartly revives local tourism, increases footfall, and promotes coronavirus vaccination. Nearby, the village offers local foods, crafts, and Dracula-themed souvenirs.
