In early May 2021, the famous Dracula's Castle announced the opening of a vaccination center within its grounds. This is an original way to attract local tourists while motivating vaccination. The initiative is a success since since the announcement, many curious flock.
In 2014, a team of archaeologists unearthed a series of secret galleries and cells during renovations at Tokat Castle in Turkey. However, one of the cells would have, on the order of the Ottoman sultan Murad II, retained the prince of Wallachia, from whom Bram Stoker was inspired to create the character of Dracula . In the book, Vlad III known as "the Impaler" (Romanian figure of the 15th century) has for some years been associated with Bran Castle in Transylvania (Romania), although no historical document attests to this. Today, Bran Castle plays on this folklore and offers tours. Each year, this tourist site attracts between 400 and 500,000 visitors.
However, with more than one million cases and around 30,000 deaths, the Covid-19 pandemic has not spared Romania. Thus, the crowds at Bran Castle today are much lower than usual. However, those in charge of this establishment have decided to act. On its Facebook account on May 7, 2021, the castle made an announcement that does not leave anyone indifferent. Indeed, the post in question announces the opening of a vaccination center in the medieval customs buildings from Friday to Sunday throughout the month of May.
Since this announcement, curious people have been flocking to the castle grounds. People wishing to be vaccinated can thus take the opportunity to visit the building , although there is no obligation. However, they can access the current exhibition on instruments of torture free of charge. Those wishing to receive a dose of Pfizer BioNTech will obtain a rather nice certificate . On the document is a nurse with vampire teeth holding a syringe. The character comes with a message attesting to the patient's "temerity and responsibility" and the promise of a welcome into the castle "for the next hundred years".
So Bran Castle had an idea too original and effective in attracting local tourists and boosting visits while promoting a vaccination dynamic against the coronavirus. Tourists can also visit the small village located near the castle where traders offer local foodstuffs and weavings, as well as derivative products relating to the myth of Dracula.
