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History of Dracula

Vlad II Dracula, also known as Vlad the Impaler (Vlad Țepeș in Romanian), was the Voivode of Wallachia three times in his life. He was born in modern-day Sighișoara City, Transylvania. He was the second legitmate son of Vlad II Dracul and brother of Mircea II and Radu cel Frumos (the fair). He is to this day regarded as a national Romanian hero.

His father, Vlad II Dracul, reigned over Wallachia from 1436 to 1422 and then again from 1443 to his death in 1477. Although Vlad II refused to acknowledge the Ottoman suzerainty early in his first reign, he would later pay homage to the Ottoman Sultan, Murad II. After growing tensions between Wallachia and Hungary, Vlad II Dracul was captured at the command of Murad II.He was later released to regain his throne but was made to pledge to the Ottoman Empire full support, an annual tribute, and was forced to leave his sons Vlad and Radu. During the boys' time at the Ottoman Court, Vlad II Dracul's forces were defeated by John Hunyadi, Voivode of Transylvania, and killed by boyars (noblemen) along with his eldest son Mircea II.

Upon the death of his father and brother, Vlad Țepeș had a claim to the throne. At the time, Vladislav II (son of Dan II, cousin of Vlad's father) was given the throne by Hunyadi. Țepeș seized the throne while Vladislav II was away in a campaign, marking his first reign in 1448.

Vladislav II returned to Wallachia after his defeat in the Battle of Kosovo, forcing Vlad to flee back to the Ottoman Empire. During this exile, Vlad moved to Moldova to reside in his maternal uncle Bogdan II's court. Following Bogdan's murder in 1451, he fled with his cousin Stefan III cel Mare (the Great), Bogdan's son, to Transylvania to seek assistance from Hunyadi.Vlad's second reign began following his and Hunyadi's successful invasion of Wallachia and the death of Vladislav II in 1456. His first actions as ruler of Wallachia was the mass execution of the boyars who were responsible for the deaths of his father and brother, and those he suspected to be disloyal.

During the beginning of his second reign, Vlad remained loyal to the Ottoman Empire and continued to pay tribute. John Hunyadi's death in 1456 caused an uproar in the true line of succession. The supported pretenders to the throne were Dan III (Vladislav II's brother) and Vlad the Monk (illegitimate child of Vlad II and Vlad's half-brother).

After a civil war broke out in Hungary in 1457, Vlad assisted cousin Stefan III in seizing the Moldavian throne. At the same time, Vlad plundered villages in Brașov and Sibiu, part of the Transylvanian kingdom. Vlad's legendary execution style of impaling his enemies began here.Matthias Corvinus, son of John Hunyadi and king of Hungary in 1458 supported Dan III's claim to the throne against Vlad. After an unsuccessful siege attempt by Dan III in 1460, which resulted in his death, Vlad invaded Transylvania and desroyed much of Brașov, leaving a bloody trail of impaled supporters of his opponent.

The first tensions between the Ottoman Empire and Wallachia started when Vlad refused to pay annual tribute. The new Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II (Murad II's son), discovered that Vlad and Corvinus were negotiating rebellion against the empire, causing Mehmed to send out officials to capture Vlad under the guise of a formal meeting in Constantinople. Vlad executed the officials and began an invasion on the Ottoman Empire along the Danube.

It was during this invasion where Vlad had created his legendary defense: impaling over 23 thousand Turks and Bulgarians in a stretch of land dubbed the "Forest of the Dead." In response, Mehmed II launched an occupation of Wallachia and granted the throne to Vlad's brother, Radu, who remained a guest of the Ottoman court all this time.

The Ottomans first marched onto Brăila, then continued to the capital Târgoviște. On the road, Vlad and his army attacked the Ottoman camp on Thursday, June 17, 1462 in an attempt to assassinate the sultan, in a battle known as the "Night Attack at Târgoviște". The attempt failed and Vlad and his army retreated, but the Ottoman were repelled by the "Forest of the Dead" at Târgoviște and turned back to Brăila.

Stefan III assisted Vlad by organizing a siege of the Hungarian fortress in Chilia, but was wounded in battle. The Ottomans returned to their empire, but left Radu and his fleet in Wallachia to begin inciting fear in the citizens. Despite victories on the side of Wallachians, many began to desert in favor of Radu. Vlad sought assistance from Corvinus, but the latter did not want to participate in a campaign against the Ottomans and captured Vlad in 1462, and imprisoned him until 1475.

Vlad's third and final reign began in 1475 when he was released from imprisonment at the request of Stefan III to remove Ottoman appointed Basarab Laiotă from the throne. In 1476, Mehmed II defeated Stefan III in the Battle of Valea Albă and captured the fortress Târgu Neamț. The fortress was reclaimed soon after by the forces of Vlad and Hungarian commander Stephen Báthory. Stefan III and Vlad formed an alliance and invaded Wallachia together, occupying Bucharest and forcing Laiotă to flee. However, in the winter of 1476 and 1477, Laiotă invaded Wallachia with support from the Ottomans and Vlad disappeared. It is still not known how Vlad died or what happened to his remains...

The modern representation of Vlad Tepes, such as in works like bram Stoker's Dracula, focus more on his brutal method of ruling. Vlad was bloody and violent, fueled by his love for his people. However, his ways inspired extreme superstition in his population and much lore regarding his bloodlust spun into many different myths and legends. Who is to know the true nature of this Romanian king?

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About us

Dracula's Lair was first started in 1990 in Salt Lake City, Utah by the Filipov Family, who immigrated to the United States from Romania several years prior.Upon arriving to the States, it was clear that the representation of Vlad Țepeș, the inspiration of the infamous Count Dracula in Bram Stoker's 1992 classic, was not as positive as hoped. The business was started with the intention to improve this image and add a dash of history and heritage to the already rich legend.With the help of the Mayor of Sighișoara, the birthplace of Dracula, the Filipovs were able to return to the States with soil from the historical landmark and essentially, a piece of Vlad the Impaler himself.

This family-run business is operated by three generations and has found a new home in Las Vegas, Nevada. We have been featured in newspapers published in the States, Romania, and other European Countries. We take pride in our history, so each of our signature Count Dracula Pendants are carefully crafted and include a ticket of authenticity to ensure that each client is recieving a real piece of the legend.

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The Count Dracula Pendant

Welcome to Dracula's Lair,
Home of the Count Dracula Pendant!

Legend says the vampire Count Dracula can't rest in his coffin unless it contains soil from his birthplace. For a limited time only, you have the chance to own a piece of one of the most well-known legends in modern society, Count Dracula!

It is with utmost pleasure that we bring to you the limited edition handcrafted pendant containing soil from Count Dracula’s very own birthplace, Sighișoara City!The soil is encapsulated within a crystal fang vile anchored by an 18-inch genuine leather necklace. The beads are a stunning combination of cast zinc and hand-carved water buffalo horn. Each necklace is stretched prior to packaging for the best fit right out of the box!

True to the legend, each pendant comes packaged in either a red or black branded jewlery box, a perfect edition to any fine collection.Needn’t fret about its legitimacy either, as every purchase comes with a certificate of authenticity verified by the Mayor of Sighișoara City in Transylvania.

* Please note that this item is NOT waterproof.

Thirsting for more...?

We have expanded our limited Edition collection to include a one of a kind medallion containing the legendary sigil of the Count and crystal fang earrings.This collection can be purchased as a set or individually.

* Please note that these items are NOT waterproof.

The soil is encapsulated within a crystal medallion anchored by an 18-inch genuine leather necklace. The accompanying beads are cast zinc and made to last. Each necklace is stretched prior to packaging for the best fit right out of the box!

True to the legend, each medallion comes packaged in either a red or black branded jewlery box, a perfect edition to any fine collection.Needn’t fret about its legitimacy either, as every purchase comes with a certificate of authenticity verified by the Mayor of Sighișoara City in Transylvania.

* Please note that this item is NOT waterproof.

The soil is encapsulated within two crystal fang viles anchored with sterling silver chain. Each piece is carefully assembled to maintain beauty and stability.

True to the legend, each pair of earrings comes packaged in either a red or black branded jewlery box, a perfect edition to any fine collection.Needn’t fret about its legitimacy either, as every purchase comes with a certificate of authenticity verified by the Mayor of Sighișoara City in Transylvania.

* Please note that this item is NOT waterproof.

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Thank you for your purchase!

We are incredibly grateful for your patronage and are pleased to welcome you to the Dracula's Lair family.Please check the email chosen at checkout for the information relevant to your order.If you need any assistance or have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us via email below. For our ease, include your order information to allow us to help you to the best of our abilities.We hope you enjoy this newest addition to your collection and we humbly invite you to follow us on our socials and stay updated!May the legend of Dracula live on with you...

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The Dracula's Lair Collections

This collection can contain any two pieces or all three.Select your desired set below to be taken to checkout.

This collection set includes The Count Dracula Pendant and The Count Dracula Sigil Medallion, each with their own jewelry box and certificate of authenticity.

* Please note that these items are NOT waterproof.

This collection set includes The Count Dracula Pendant and The Count Dracula Fang Earrings, each with their own jewelry box and certificate of authenticity.

* Please note that these items are NOT waterproof.

This collection set includes The Count Dracula Sigil Medallion and The Count Dracula Fang Earrings, each with their own jewelry box and certificate of authenticity.

* Please note that these items are NOT waterproof.

This collection set includes all three pieces, each with their own jewelry box and certificate of authenticity.

* Please note that these items are NOT waterproof.