Abandoned Castles and Fortresses That Look Straight Out of a Fairy Tale

19. Poenari Castle, Romania – Dracula’s Forgotten Fortress

Often overshadowed by the more commercial Bran Castle, Poenari Fortress is the real domain of Vlad the Impaler—better known as the inspiration for Count Dracula. Perched precariously atop a cliff overlooking the Argeș River, the castle was strategically built in the 13th century and later reinforced by Vlad himself to serve as a stronghold during his ruthless reign. Abandoned for centuries and battered by both time and earthquake, only fragments of its walls and towers remain, but their impact is profound. Reaching Poenari requires scaling 1,480 steep stone steps through a thick Carpathian forest—a pilgrimage that feels like part quest, part endurance trial. Once at the top, visitors are rewarded with panoramic views and an eerie stillness that clings to the ruins like fog. The fortress's isolation and lack of tourist gloss make it one of the most authentically haunting historical sites in Eastern Europe. If Bran is the myth, Poenari is the raw, untamed reality—grim, majestic, and unforgettable.