Just as Irish author Bram Stoker prepared his manuscript about the monster, the powerful Bathory family of Hungary heard about the book. They expressed extreme displeasure, and faster than you can say "Dracula," Stoker changed his locale from Hungary to Romania, and his protagonist from Countess Elizabeth Bathory to Vlad the Impaler.

"Romania has to thank Hungary for Dracula," said guide Mihal Dimofti, a touch sardonically, since Hungary subjugated the Romanians of Transylvania for centuries. It's time for a little revenge, and Vlad the Impaler is just the guy to do it.

Each Halloween, thousands of Americans tromp through Bran Castle, the best-preserved of those associated with Vlad, and prowl the Dracula bazaar.

Vlad was born into a noble Transylvania family about 1431 in the Wallochia region of the future Romania. His father, Vlad II. was the Wallochia ruler, nicknamed Drac, "the Devil."

Vlad Dracul visited Bran Castle, then later was imprisoned there for a few weeks.

Romania's last Communist dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu, forbade anyone to commercialize Vlad, who is revered as a Romanian freedom fighter. But in the 15 years since Ceausescu was executed, the Transylvanians have sunk their teeth into a kitschy, money-spinning little enterprise.