How Dracula Beat the Communists

7 March 2019 · History Today

Duncan Light

Bram Stoker Estate account

Estate summary

Duncan Light examines the tension between Romania’s desire for Western tourism and communist hostility to supernatural beliefs. He traces how local officials developed Dracula-themed hotels despite central resistance, distinguishing the fictional vampire from the national image of Vlad III.

Full publisher article inspected. Online date 7 March 2019; publisher identifies an earlier May 2017 print version titled “Romania’s Problem with Dracula”.

Original source

The publisher link could not be fully verified. It may require a subscription or restrict access.

Read the original article ↗

Link checked 7 November 2026. Publisher pages open in a new tab.

Saved archive record

The title, date, source details and any Estate summary above are saved on this website, so this record remains available if the publisher’s page changes.

A full copy of this article is not currently held here. Original scans and full texts will be added where available and permitted.

Bran Castle illuminated at dusk, seen across the surrounding wooded landscape. — Bran Castle photographed by Richard. A modern view illustrating Dracula tourism, not a photograph from the communist period.Courtesy of the Bram Stoker Estate.