Vlad Of Romania - Tumblr Posts

On this day - 14th December 1476

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Death of Vlad Țepeș - Vlad the Impaler

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Vlad the Impaler was born - and died - in Romania.

However, where and how his death happened, and where Vlad’s body was laid to rest, is cloaked in mystery.

One such place accepted as Vlad's final resting place, is Snagov Monastery.

Snagov Monastery, sits on a small island in the middle of Snagov Lake, about 30 kilometers north of Bucharest.

Access is from the tiny village of Silestru.

The mystery surrounding Snagov Monastery begins with its origins.

Some experts claim it was founded by the grandfather of Vlad Țepeș.

Some say Țepeș ordered its construction himself.

Other historians suggest that it dates from around 1408, meaning that neither Vlad nor his grandfather was the likely founder.

Vlad’s death continues the mystery.

Scholars generally agree that he was killed on 14th December 1476, but whether he died in battle against the Turks, or was assassinated by political enemies from his own country, has not been established conclusively.

Being an ill-tempered, bloodthirsty leader, Vlad had a LOT of enemies!!

Scholars generally believe that Vlad was decapitated, and that his head was taken to the Ottoman rulers in Constantinople.

But what about his body?

Its suggested that Vlad may have died not far from Lake Snagov, and that logically, this was the favoured location for interment of his body.

Vlad’s followers did not want to see their leader’s body defiled, or used for propaganda purposes.

So they buried him in this remote, inaccessible setting, with an additional precaution.

They buried his body deep beneath the church floor.

Above his tomb they created a false grave and filled it with animal bones.

When researchers dug under the church in 1933 and only found animal bones, the reaction by academics was -

“This can’t be the right grave.”

Reaction by the superstitious was,

“The vampire has flown away.”

The reaction from loyalists was,

“He is still safe down there.” ~