Poenari Fortress

Poenari Fortress was built around the beginning of the 13th century by the Wallachians. Around the 14th century, Poenari was the main fortress of the Bassarabian rulers. Over the following decades, the name and inhabitants changed several times, but eventually the castle was abandoned and left in ruins. However, in the 15th century, realizing the potential of a fortress perched high on a steep rock cliff, Vlad III (“the Impaler”) repaired and strengthened the structure, making it one of his main fortresses. Although the castle was used for many years after Vlad’s death in 1476, it was eventually abandoned again in the first half of the 16th century and was destroyed by the 17th century. The castle’s size and location made it difficult to conquer. In 1888, an earthquake-induced landslide knocked parts of the castle down as it traveled, crashing into the river far below. It has been slightly repaired, and its walls and towers still stand today.
To reach the castle, visitors must climb 1,480 steps through the forest. Because the bears are often seen in the vicinity of the path to the fortress, the access is often restricted.

🏰 Origin and Construction
Although the base of the fortress was built in the 13th century (probably by the first settlers who dismounted from the Wallachian horses), it remained in a state of instability. It was Vlad the Impaler who realized the strategic potential of the site and rebuilt it in the 15th century.

Defensive walls: Țepeș added stone and brick towers, transforming the ruin into a nearly impregnable fortress.
Construction technique: Using locally made lime bricks and river stone, the structure was designed to withstand a prolonged siege. Lime mortar was used, which provided some flexibility to the walls to withstand earthquakes.

🩸 Connection with Vlad the Impaler: Legend and History
The connection between the ruler and the fortress is characterized by bloody episodes and brilliant strategic decisions:

1. Revenge against the boyars of Târgoviște
The most famous legend tells that Țepeș punished the boyars who plotted against his father and brother. On Easter Day, he gathered the boyars and their families to a festive dinner. After the festive dinner he abruptly killed a few, and the reminders were forced to climb to Poenari. Those who survived the journey were given two options: to jump off the cliff immediately, or to stay alive and contribute to the restoration of the fortress. He also promised that they were to be left alive upon the repairs  were completed. Their task (man and woman alike) was to bring up large stones from the river to the construction site (the white stones at the bottom of the walls, visible from the valley). Many of them died during the restoration, but, in the end, some of them were still alive when the fortress was completed. Vlad gathered the remaining ones and told them that he had changed his mind about leaving them alive, but in his mercy he did not put them on skewers but threw them off the cliff.

2. The Last Refuge from the Turks
In 1462, when the Ottoman armies led by Radu the Handsome (Vlad’s brother) besieged the fortress, Poenari served as the last point of resistance. It is said that Vlad’s wife, in order not to fall into the hands of the Turks, threw herself from the fortress walls into the Argeș River below (which he has since acquired a section called “Raul Doamnei”).

3. The Glorious Escape
According to the chronicles, Vlad managed to escape the besieged fortress through secret paths in the mountains. Local legend mentions that he turned the horse’s horseshoes facing backwards to deceive his pursuers about the direction in which he was fleeing.

In conclusion, was Dracula a real and terrifying living vampire and if they both spoke English, Vlad could always tell him to “Hold My Beer”.