The Legends
Peasants talk about the "hidden treasures" of the Impaler: sensing death, Vlad had them make cast-iron barrels in which he placed silver, gold and precious jewels; he then ordered the course of a river to be diverted by a dam (perhaps the Dambovita river)...after getting rid of the riches, he gave free flow to the river and all the peasants involved were IMPALED!
Visitors who cross the lake by boat reach the quiet, remote monastery that brings the legend alive! One can pay his respects at Dracula's tomb, located at the altar footsteps, and admire the beautiful frescoes, some of which go as far back as the 15th century.
Locals tell stories about a different church that existed here, which fell into the lake together with its steeple, during a storm. When the wind blows they say you can hear a chime rising from the bottom of the lake.
Nevertheless, people are superstitious and the monastery has had its fair share of bad luck: floods, earthquakes, the burning of the bridge connecting it to mainland during the 1821 revolution as well as being transformed into a prison in the 19th century.
Although there has been a lot of debate around the real tomb of Vlad the Impaler and whether you are a Dracula fan or not, the monastery of Snagov is worth a peak! It was once an important hub of the cultural and monastic life: it hosted a printing shop as well as a mint...When coming here travelers understand why it was used as refuge as well as a prison...
As for the vampire hunters...what better place to end a trip to Romania than the legendary burial place of the count of all counts: Count Dracula?!
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