Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
AROUND BUCHAREST
Snagov
POP 7040
Serpentine Snagov Lake, 40km north of Bucharest and running north-south, serves as the
main weekend retreat for residents of the capital looking for a place to relax. The lake has a
lovely rural setting, and there are plenty of opportunities for swimming, boating, fishing
and sunbathing. Summer weekends can get crowded as nature-seeking hordes from
Bucharest descend. Weekdays are more peaceful. In the past few years, Snagov has become
a favourite haunt of Bucharest's newly moneyed classes, who buy plots of land and plunk
down their very own McMansions. Indeed, the shoreline is ringed with new villas.
Snagov may have an even bigger claim to fame: a small island at the northern end of the
lake holds a fine monastery that also happens to be the reputed final resting place of none
other than Vlad Ţepeş (aka 'Vlad the Impaler'), the legendarily brutal Wallachian prince
who served as the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula .
Sights
Snagov Monastery
(Mănăstirea Snagov; 021-323 9905; www.snagov.ro ; Snagov Island; adult/child 15/10
lei; 9am-6pm) A tiny island at the northern end of Snagov Lake is home to Snagov
Monastery (and Vlad Ţepeş), a small stone church dating from 15th century with a lovely
interior.
There's been a church here since at least the 11th century, when Mircea cel Bătrân first
built a wooden structure. The monastery was added in the late 14th century during the reign
of King Dan I (r 1383-86), and in 1453 the wooden church was replaced by a stone edifice
that later sank into the lake. The present church came after that.
Vlad Ţepeş' alleged grave is located inside the church, at the centre towards the back.
The interior is small and the grave marker and portrait of Vlad are the main highlights. As
with many aspects of the 'Dracula' story, there is some debate as to whether the body bur-
ied here actually belongs to Ţepeş. The bloodthirsty prince died in 1476 battling the Turks
MONASTERY
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