Snagov Monastery: Dracula’s Grave

Snagov Monastery: Dracula’s Grave

Snagov Monastery

In a small peaceful village, just a short distance from Romania’s capital city, Bucharest, lies a small island monastery. Famed for holding the remains of the world’s most infamous warlord.

Snagov Monastery, Romania.
The Snagov Monastery in Romania.

The Snagov Monastery has existed on Snagov Island for a long time. It was originally founded in the 14th century and more than one church has stood upon the island’s ground in this time. Some, including a small wooden church has been destroyed, supposedly even sinking into the surrounding lake. Because of this many locals started to believe the island was actually cursed.

Exploring Snagov Island, Romania.
Exploring Snagov Island where the remains of Vlad Tepes are supposedly buried.

During its lifetime, the Snagov Monastery and the island it sits upon, have been used for far more purposes than simple worship. Some of its past uses put a darker spin on the seemingly peaceful island.

Inside Snagov Monastery.
Display inside the church on Snagov Island.

Legends of Snagov Monastery

Perhaps the most famous of any legend surrounding the Snagov Monastery are those related to the real-life Count Dracula, Vlad Tepes. Vlad ruled Wallachia, a district within Romania, during the 1400s several times. He led armies against the invading Ottoman Turks and became notorious for his ruthless war tactics, which included his signature torture and execution method, impalement. Largely where his name came from- Vlad the Impaler.

Vlad Tepes grave.
Mural for Vlad Tepes in the Snagov Monastery.

Whilst there is much mystery surrounding the death of Vlad, many believe he was beheaded at a small pond just outside Bucharest, which has gained its own notoriety. There is an equal amount of mystery surrounding his current place of rest. It is commonly thought that his remains do exist at the Snagov Monastery, and it is certainly marketed as such to tourists. Though historians are not sure of the accuracy of this claim and his remains have never conclusively been located on the island.

Vlad the Impaler grave in Snagov Monastery.
Checking out the interior of the Snagov Monastery where Vlad the Impaler is said to be at rest.

It was originally thought the Vlad Tepes was buried at the entrance of the Snagov Church. The thought process behind this was that Vlad had committed so many atrocities during his life that placing him at the entry to the church would mean that anyone entering would take some of his sins upon themselves.

Snagov Monastery Dracula grave.
Vlad Tepes (the real-life Dracula’s) grave site inside the Snagov Monastery.

During the 1930s this area was excavated and no signs of Vlad’s headless torso were uncovered. Just some artifacts and a number of animal bones. Many believe he was buried deeper than was excavated or is buried in a different area of the church, where he is marked as resting today. Some even believe he may have arisen from his grave, true to the vampire mythology that surrounds him as being an inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Dracula's Grave, Romania.
The grave of Dracula in Romania.

Snagov was thought to be an appropriate place for Vlad’s burial since he had some ties to it. There are claims that he had fortifications which surrounded the island, a torture chamber on this island as well as a prison. Remains of a prison are apparent on this island to this day, though I believe they are dated later than the time Vlad would have been alive.

Burial site of Vlad Tepes in the Snagov Monastery.
The beautiful interior of the Snagov Monastery where Vlad Tepes is said to be buried.

Visiting Snagov Monastery, Romania

Snagov Monastery can be visited as a day trip outside of Bucharest. It is an interesting place that any traveler looking to tour the Dracula sites should make the time for. The monastery charges a small fee to enter, take photographs and interestingly has a small shrine set up where Vlad’s remains are said to rest. The Monastery even sells a number of souvenirs including wine, which was a favorite purchase of mine.

Visiting the grave of Dracula.
Ready to visit Dracula’s grave.

Getting to the island without a car can be a little tricky. Whilst the journey is not a difficult one the lack of posted information and language barrier made this harder. To get there, grab a ‘maxi taxi’ from Piaţa Presei Libere roundabout. Tickets are cheap and can be purchased from the driver. These buses leave frequently. The bus will drop you off a short walkable distance from the monastery. Make sure to confirm with the driver when the buses return to Bucharest, so you do not miss the last one for the day.

Snagov Monastery, Romania.
Inside of Romania’s Snagov Monastery.

If you enjoyed this read and are interested in learning about other spooky places in Romania with ties to Vlad Tepes, I highly recommend checking out Corvin Castle.

Thanks for reading!

xoxo

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About Amy

Amy is a world traveller and explorer of creepy locations. She has visited some of the most famously haunted places around the world in search of evidence of the paranormal. Follow Amy's Journey:

Comments (6)

  • Jelenaadzem

    Posted by Jelenaadzem on October 13, 2019

    Veoma mi se sviđa vaše istraživanje a posebno o vladu ko zna mozda je živ sve je to misterija postoje neke sile ja verujem u to pozdrav

      Amy

      Posted by Amy on October 14, 2019

      Puno vam hvala na komentaru. Drago mi je da ste uživali u mom sadržaju. Thank you very much for your comment. I’m glad you enjoyed my content.

  • michael glenn

    Posted by michael glenn on July 11, 2021

    His remains? There are no remains however, there’s a “doomsday box” that he made and buried somewhere in Romania.

      Amy

      Posted by Amy on July 11, 2021

      This is just one of the theories, thanks for sharing.

  • Zearly

    Posted by Zearly on February 22, 2022

    Amy, obviously you have been to the site… is your information about the excavation of the 1930’s from what you were told at the site yourself? How I even found your site was in another search I did after reading information from this site https://severozapazenabg.com/en/%d0%b1%d0%b0%d0%b1%d0%b0-%d0%b2%d0%b8%d0%b4%d0%b0-%d0%bf%d0%be%d1%82%d0%b0%d0%b9%d0%bd%d0%be%d1%81%d1%82%d0%b8/#:~:text=The%20secret%20tunnels%20of%20%E2%80%9CBaba%20Vida%E2%80%9D%20castle%20lead,but%20no%20explorations%20have%20been%20undertaken%20so%20far.
    And the end it states that during that excavation they actually had located a headless body… was there any mention of that on your visit?

      Amy

      Posted by Amy on February 22, 2022

      Well, the article claims a body was found, but it is not definitively proof that Vlad was buried here. In actual fact, I can’t find any other articles to support this claim. My research has shown that the excavation was not conclusive in finding anything, and Vlad’s final resting place is still a mystery today – there are numerous places around the world that are said to be his final burial place.

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