Prince Charles makes private visit to Romania

The Prince of Wales has made a private visit to Transylvania - the famous home of one of his ancestors, a bloodthirsty nobleman said to be the inspiration behind the story of Dracula.

Prince Charles, who is descended from notorious Romanian Vlad the Impaler (pictured below), toured a medieval church after arriving in Romania yesterday.

Vlad, who was also known as Dracula, meaning "son of the dragon", was renowned throughout Europe for his cruelty and for impaling his enemies on stakes.

Prince Charles has a keen interest in Transylvania and has visited it a number of times, most recently in May last year.

He owns a manor house in a remote village in the region, where bears and wolves roam the hills.

Earlier today, the Prince visited the Gothic 14th century Black Church built by the Germans in the city of Brasov, after arriving in the nearby city of Targu Mures yesterday.

Clarence House declined to comment on the visit, which officials said was a private trip.

In the past, Romania's government has praised Prince Charles as the saviour or Europe's last remaining wilderness.

Related articles

Voodoo, anyone? Weird holidays around the world


Ghoulish getaways and haunted castles