Transylvania gears up for King Charles’ first overseas post-coronation visit
- On Friday, Charles said he has ‘always felt rather at home in Romania’ in a reference to his links to infamous Vlad the Impaler through his great-grandmother Queen Mary
- Charles has frequently praised the charms of the region in central Romania, where he has bought several traditional houses and set up a heritage foundation
After being received with military honours at the Romanian capital Bucharest, Britain’s King Charles on Saturday visits Transylvania - a region the king has said is in his “blood” as a descendant of Vlad the Impaler - believed to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula.
The king has frequently praised the charms of picturesque Transylvania in central Romania, where he has bought several traditional houses and set up a heritage foundation.
A long-time environmental advocate with a passion for nature, Charles has called Transylvania “literally the last unspoilt, untouched area”.
As part of his first overseas visit since he was crowned king on May 6, Charles is headed to the village of Valea Zalanului – some 100km (60 miles) away from the hamlet of Viscri, where he is expected to wrap up his trip on Tuesday.
As prince, King Charles first visited Viscri a quarter of a century ago, in 1998.
Dan Spataru from the local mayor’s office said his return to the region was being welcomed as an “emotional gesture”.