Latest news with #VladTheImpaler
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Major Count Dracula Finding Rewrites History
Count Dracula wasn't only a fictional character created by Bram Stoker. He was a real-life man named Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia, or Vlad the Impaler. And history shows he was just as dangerous. Vlad the Impaler, who was born in Transylvania, once invited hundreds of feuding nobles to a banquet. Then, he "had his guests stabbed and their still-twitching bodies impaled," NBC News reported. But now a new finding is shedding light on how Vlad himself might have died. The finding could "rewrite portions of European history," according to the Greek Reporter. The Greek site Prototheme reported on June 30 that a new "decipherment of an inscription on his supposed burial plate" seems to confirm the theory that Vlad's relics are buried in "the monastic complex Santa Maria la Nova" in Naples, Italy - not in Romania. Professor Giuseppe Reale said that "the mysterious inscription is a eulogy for the Vlad III of Wallachia," Prototheme reported. The findings were first reported by the Italian-language news site Il Mattino. 'It emerges that the mysterious inscription is an epitaph in praise of Vlad III of Wallachia, widely known as Count Dracula," he told Il Mattino, according to Greek Reporter. According to Prototheme, the theory that Count Dracula was buried in Naples, Italy, first emerged in 2014 from Italian and Estonian researchers. For years, it was believed that Vlad was killed in battle. However, the new theory argues that, instead, he was "captured by the Ottomans and later freed by his daughter, Maria Balsa," the Jerusalem Post reported. She had been "adopted by a noble family in Naples to escape persecution," and, when he died, it's argued that she buried him "in the tomb of her father-in-law, Matteo Ferrillo, inside the Turbolo chapel," the Post reported. The inscription, described by the Post as "mysterious" dates to the 16th century and "seems to strengthen the theory that Count Dracula was buried in Naples," reported the Post. According to Greek Reporter, the tomb in Naples drew attention because of unusual decorations, namely "a carved dragon and symbols linked to ancient Egypt." Major Count Dracula Finding Rewrites History first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 6, 2025
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Mysterious inscription on tombstone reveals Count Dracula's final resting place
A mysterious inscription discovered in a centuries-old tomb in Naples could finally uncover the long-lost burial site of Count Dracula. Researchers say the burial site, tucked within the Turbolo Chapel of the Santa Maria la Nova church complex, could belong to Vlad III, the real-life inspiration behind Bram Stoker's infamous 1897 vampire novel. Known as Vlad the Impaler, the 15th-century Romanian ruler earned his grim nickname through brutal tactics, including impaling his enemies on massive stakes. Though he was reportedly beheaded in 1476, his grave has never been conclusively identified. After more than a decade of study, researchers deciphered a mysterious, Latin-like inscription on the tomb, uncovering two key words: 'Blad,' interpreted as 'Vlad,' and 'Balkan,' the region he once ruled. The marble tomb also features a knight's helmet crowned with a dragon's head, a symbol tied to the Order of the Dragon, a medieval secret society that once counted Vlad among its members. Flanking the tomb are two sphinx-like statues, which experts believe may serve a dual purpose. In Italian, the sphinxes may reference 'Tebe,' or Thebes, the ancient Egyptian city. But scholars suspect it's also a cryptic nod to 'Tepes,' the Romanian epithet for Vlad, meaning 'the Impaler.' The team began their research in 2014 after learning about a theory that suggested Vlad's daughter, Maria Balsa, smuggled his remains out of Romania following his death. Historical records suggest she was later adopted by the powerful Ferrillo family of Naples, sparking the idea that Vlad was laid to rest in what is now Italy. Maria is also believed to have arranged his burial in her father-in-law, Matteo Ferrillo's, tomb inside the same chapel where her father may have been laid to rest. The tomb sits in the small cloister of the church complex, a former monastery for Franciscan Friars and now one of the most visited religious sites in the city. What sparked the researchers' interest in the tomb was the unusual symbols carved that are not typically seen in Christian burials. Professor Giuseppe Reale, director of the Santa Maria la Nova complex, said: 'It emerges that the mysterious inscription is an epitaph in praise of Vlad III of Wallachia, widely known as Count Dracula.' In 1462, Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia, is believed to have impaled the bodies of 20,000 people outside the Romanian city of Târgoviște to ward off Ottoman forces. This led to him receiving the nickname Vlad the Impaler, posthumously. Vlad the Impaler was arrested for the murders and held in prison for 12 years, although the exact location and length of this captivity are disputed. The consensus is that he was imprisoned in Romania between 1462 and 1474, although other reports claim he was held in Turkey. Vlad was killed during a battle against the Ottomans in 1476. It was previously believed that Vlad was buried at Snagov Monastery, near Bucharest, but a study published in 1933 cast the first serious doubt. Researchers excavated the area and found only animal bones, no human remains, raising a red flag that the grave long believed to hold Dracula was empty. This discovery fueled decades of speculation and now lends significant weight to the recent findings in Naples, where a hidden inscription inside a centuries-old tomb may point to Vlad's true resting place, suggesting that historians may have misidentified his grave for nearly a century. For now, the tomb remains sealed off from the public as experts dig deeper into what could be the most dramatic rewrite of vampire legend since Stoker gave the world Count Dracula.
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
European city is best-value for money with 'beautiful' attraction and cheap beer
Europe is home to some fantastic cities and one has been voted the best for value - with a pint costing around £2.41. Here is why you should visit it this year City breaks are a dream for those looking to quickly escape and hit the reset button. And if a European jaunt is what gets your travel juices flowing, then you've struck gold, as the experts at Flight Hacks have dished out a summer bargain travel list. They've crunched the numbers, factoring in daily averages for flights from any London airport, food and digs per night, to pinpoint the top bang-for-your-buck holiday spots. Topping the charts as Europe's most economical holiday spot is Bucharest, Romania. You can revel in all its delights for a neat £215.52 a day, with hotel stays hitting the jackpot as the continent's cheapest averaging a mere £86.72 a night. So if you're tempted by the cheapest place let's take a look at Bucharest more closely. What is there to do in Bucharest? Nestled in Southern Romania, this historical gem not only served as the stomping grounds for Vlad The Impaler but also snagged the moniker "Little Paris" for its elegant early 20th-century architecture. It boasts a population of about 1.83 million (circa 2019) and promises a cultural feast. Tripadvisor's crowned jewel for the city is the Stavropoleos Monastery, scoring an impressive 4.5 rating. Dating back to 1724, it stands proudly among the capital's oldest structures. Culture vultures can either discover its charms solo or opt for a guided tour around the monastery, reports the Express. One visitor raved about a church on Tripadvisor, calling it "beautiful" among numerous five-star reviews. A user remarked: "What I loved most was the quiet and cosy atmosphere of the place, even if this architectural beauty is located in the middle of Bucharest, in the most crowded place." Another shared: "One of my favourite places in Bucharest! Amazing monastery is full of peace and harmony. I recommend visiting it Saturday and Sunday at 6pm and to listen to the prayers." And a fourth enthused: "Standing inside this monastery, takes your breath away. The walls and high ceilings adorned with beautiful religious artwork, it hard to put to words just how beautiful it really Is." Other must-see spots in the Romanian capital include the world's second-largest building, the Palace of Parliament, and of course, the Old Town is a must-visit spot. Expect to discover a host of bars and eateries offering traditional Romanian cuisine there. Bucharest is also a magnet for those seeking vibrant nightlife, with a pint going for as little as £2.41 according to Numbeo statistics. There are plenty of top-tier venues to enjoy, including Player Club, Shoteria, and Club Revenge. How to get to Bucharest Getting to Romania is straightforward with many airlines offering flights. Direct services are available from London, Birmingham, and Glasgow with carriers such as Ryanair, BA, easyJet and Wizz Air flying to the destination. Kayak reveals that one-way flights to Bucharest kick off from the capital, with the journey clocking in just over three hours from London. When is the best time to visit Bucharest? The milder months of April, May, June, September and October are ideal to dodge the sweltering summer climes, as it can get quite toasty in those parts. Conversely, winter might charm with snow, but be wary as it can throw public transport into chaos. Also, tourist hotspots sometimes shut their doors owing to harsh weather, and expect the nights to start nipping at 4pm. Top 10 budget-friendly European destinations to visit (average cost per day): Immanuel Debeer, CEO at Flight Hacks, said: "Going on holiday in Europe doesn't need to cost an eye-watering amount of money. This study demonstrates that by exploring various travel sites and researching the cost of living in certain cities, you can visit some of the most beautiful and culturally rich areas Europe has to offer without breaking the bank."
