Monster Cache *DRACULA*

"Listen to them, Children of the Night. What music they make!!"

I was released in Austin, Texas as part of the MONSTER Cache created by the Central Texas geocachers. This cache is a community endeavor with 41 redirector legs, each named for a monster chosen by the hider. The cache debuted in October, 2004 - just in time for Halloween!!

I am one of seven MONSTER travel bugs released so that I may return to my local haunting grounds. I wish to visit Dracula's Castle cache in Romania. This is the famous residence of Dracula. Once there, I would like my picture taken on the steps of the castle and ultimately laid to rest in my home.

Monster History:
The original Dracula is related to Vlad Dracul (1431 - 1476), better known through history as Vlad Tepes. Vlad ruled Wallachia (Tara Româneascã, now southern Romania) between 1456 and 1476. Vlad's father used the symbol of the dragon. He also went by the name "Dracul". In old Romanian dracul means the dragon or the devil (in the contemporary Romanian dracul means only the devil). Being the son of a "Dracul", Vlad was called "Dracula", meaning originary the son of the Dragon.

After the death of his father, son and ruler Vlad Dracula started organizing the state, the army and the law. He also build several monasteries. He was a respected warrior, ruler and tolerated no crime against his people. In his laws, Vlad applyed the death penalty by impaling to all those he considered enemies (robbers, beggars, etc). As his talent for torture and sadism became known, the name "Dracula" came to be interpreted more and more as the son of the Devil (instead of the originary the son of the Dragon).

As a note, contrary to popular belief, Dracula's castle is not situated in Transylvania. The crumbling ruins still stand in the northern Wallachian town of Tîrgoviste (now central Romania).

After much research, Bram Stoker published in 1897 the masterpiece of this style, "Dracula". This was the begining of an incredible explosion of literature and movies related to vampirism.

Visit the other MONSTER travel bugs & follow them on their journeys...
Monster Cache *FRANKENSTEIN*
Monster Cache *KING KONG*
Monster Cache *WOLFMAN*
Monster Cache *GODZILLA*
Monster Cache *DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE*
Monster Cache *THE MUMMY*