Advocates fight to preserve Dracula’s Tokat Castle legacy

Tokat Castle, renowned as the 15th-century prison of Vlad the Impaler, faces restoration delays, heightening interest from both local communities and global historians

Tokat Castle, a historic edifice in Türkiye, stands prominently in the lore surrounding Vlad the Impaler, also known as Dracula, who reportedly spent four years imprisoned there in the 15th century.

Aybike Gamze Gazioglu, a historical researcher, emphasizes the castle’s significance as a medieval site intertwined with cultural iconography, capturing the fascination of global audiences.

Initiated in 2009, the restoration of Tokat Castle has since stalled, preventing public access. Fifteen years later, the community eagerly anticipates the site’s reopening to explore its profound historical narratives.

Gazioglu stresses the legendary figure of Vlad Tepes, or Vlad the Impaler, whose notorious deeds have fueled countless vampire stories and films. “Tokat Castle is said to have held Dracula, inspiring the legend we know,” Gazioglu asserts. She notes that Vlad’s story, filled with tales of brutality and betrayal, continues to be a powerful draw for the castle.

The protracted delay in restoration has prompted Gazioglu and other locals to advocate for renewed efforts to complete the project. They called on the General Directorate of Foundations and the Ministry of Tourism to expedite the restoration process.

Gazioglu passionately states, “We are fighting for the restoration to start and finish promptly. Our history is our legacy, and we want to keep it alive. Count Dracula was imprisoned in Tokat Castle. We are committed to our history, and it makes us a strong nation.”

The community’s strong identification with the castle not only reflects a commitment to preserving their heritage but also underscores their aspiration to share this historical narrative with the world.

Gazioglu further emphasizes the international importance of Tokat Castle, asserting that the “Castle has a global significance. It is essential that Dracula, who was imprisoned here and harmed our ancestors, has his deeds recognized and accounted for.”

Source: Newsroom