Vlad the
Impaler
A Journey Through History
2016 IMEX America Las Vegas
and World Travel Market London
Long before the fictional vampire of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, there was a real figure whose brutal reputation and political intrigue inspired the Dracula legend. His name was Vlad III, more commonly known as Vlad the Impaler (or Vlad Ţepeş in Romanian), and his story is one of the darkest chapters in the history of Eastern Europe.
In 2016, we explored the real story of DRACULA.
In 2016, we embarked on an unforgettable journey into the heart of one of the world’s most legendary figures: Dracula. At both IMEX America in Las Vegas and the World Travel Market in London, we brought the true story of Vlad the Impaler—the man behind the Dracula myth—to life for travel professionals and enthusiasts alike.
A Historic Exploration
Our mission was clear: to unveil the real history behind the legendary figure that inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Beyond the myth of the vampire, we explored Vlad III, also known as Vlad the Impaler, a 15th-century ruler whose brutal methods of defense against the Ottoman Empire gave rise to the dark tale of Count Dracula. At IMEX America and WTM London, we showcased 👑 the fascinating history of Vlad the Impaler 👑 his association with the Order of the Dragon, and the rich folklore of Transylvania that shaped the vampire legend.
The Rise of Vlad III
Born in 1431 in the fortress town of Sighişoara, in the heart of Transylvania, Vlad III was the son of Vlad II Dracul, a member of the prestigious Order of the Dragon, a secretive medieval society founded by King Sigismund of Hungary in 1408. The Order’s purpose was to defend Christianity and protect Eastern Europe from the growing threat of the Ottoman Empire, which was expanding westward.
The name Dracul, meaning “dragon,” was a title given to Vlad II for his membership in the Order. It’s from this title that Vlad III, his son, took the name Dracula, which literally translates to „son of the dragon” or „son of the devil,” depending on the interpretation. It was this very name that later became synonymous with darkness, fear, and legend.
The Age of Conflict and Brutality
Vlad III’s early life was marked by political intrigue, betrayal, and power struggles. At the age of 13, he was sent by his father to the Ottoman Empire as a hostage to ensure his loyalty. There, Vlad witnessed firsthand the brutal nature of the Ottoman regime. When he returned to Wallachia, he was determined to assert his authority and strengthen his rule. He became Voivode (prince) of Wallachia in 1448, though his reign was often interrupted by war, exile, and the constant battle for power against rival factions.
Vlad’s reign was marked by extreme cruelty toward his enemies, a method he used to solidify his rule and send a message of terror to those who would challenge him. He was notorious for his penchant for impaling his enemies—a practice in which victims were slowly skewered on long wooden stakes and left to die, often in public view. This gruesome method of execution earned him the moniker „Vlad the Impaler.”
The most famous tale of Vlad’s cruelty is tied to the Night of the Impalings in 1462, when he launched a brutal campaign to defend Wallachia from the invading Ottoman Empire. As part of his strategy, he impaled thousands of Ottoman soldiers and local traitors, leaving the area filled with thousands of impaled corpses as a gruesome warning to the Turks.
But Vlad’s reign was not only defined by violence. He was also seen as a protector of his people, particularly the Christian faith, which was under siege from the advancing Ottoman forces. His fierce defense of his realm earned him admiration from some, and hatred from others. His ability to withstand the constant threat of the Ottoman Empire—through a combination of fear, cunning, and sheer brutality—made him a legendary figure in Romanian and Eastern European history.
The Legacy of Vlad the Impaler
Vlad III’s legacy is complicated. To many Romanians, he is a national hero, a man who fiercely protected his homeland against foreign invaders. To his enemies, particularly the Ottomans, he was a savage tyrant.
Vlad’s death in 1476 marked the end of his reign, but his name lived on—especially in the West. It was in the late 19th century that Bram Stoker, the Irish author, borrowed the name “Dracula” for his famous novel, shaping the character of Count Dracula into the vampire immortalized in literature and film. Stoker’s Dracula was a vampire who lived centuries beyond Vlad’s death, but the essence of the real man—his ruthlessness, his association with blood, and his connection to the dragon—was retained in the legend.
Join us on an unforgettable journey to the heart of Eastern Europe, where history, legend, and adventure collide. Discover the Real Story of Dracula—not the fictional vampire, but the true story behind the infamous figure that inspired the legend, the Order of the Dragon, and the haunting landscapes of Romania and Transylvania.
Order of the DRAGON 🐉
The Order of the Dragon was a secretive and influential medieval society founded in 1408, with its most famous member being Vlad II Dracul, the father of the infamous Vlad the Impaler (Vlad III), who became known as Count Dracula in literature. The Order’s primary purpose was to defend Christianity in Eastern Europe against the Ottoman Empire, particularly focusing on the protection of the Christian faith in Hungary, Wallachia (modern-day Romania), and surrounding regions.
The Origin and Formation of the Order
The Order of the Dragon was founded by Sigismund of Luxembourg, the King of Hungary and later the Holy Roman Emperor. In 1408, Sigismund created the Order to strengthen the Christian resistance against the increasing pressure from the expanding Ottoman Empire. The Order’s emblem was a dragon, symbolizing strength and vigilance in the defense of Christianity.
Purpose and Symbolism
The Order’s members, including knights and rulers, swore an oath to protect Christianity, defend the kingdom, and resist the Ottoman forces threatening the region. The dragon was a symbol of courage and nobility, representing the knights’ duty to fight against the enemies of the Christian faith. The Order’s full name was „The Order of the Dragon”, and its symbol was a dragon depicted on a banner or shield, often coiled around a cross. Members were also known as the „Dragons” or „Dracul”.
The Order of the Dragon itself had a relatively short life and eventually faded after the death of Sigismund in 1437, though the family legacy of the Dracul name continued through Vlad III and his infamous reign.
The historical Order of the Dragon, as a knightly society, was not long-lasting. However, its legacy was preserved largely through the figures it produced, particularly the notorious Vlad the Impaler, whose reputation for cruelty and his connection to the Order of the Dragon played a significant role in 😈 🧛♂️ the creation of the Dracula myth 🧛♀️ ☠️