Romanian Vampire legends

So everyone knows that Vlad the impaler was the inspiration for Bram stokers dracula right. But what about the myths regarding vampires from his home country? Well to start with yes vampire lore and legend is alive and well in the smaller romanian towns
www.freep.com...
However no romanian believes that Vlad dracul was a vampire. In fact he is a hero in those parts whom many hope and pray will one day return.
The ravings of a demented irishman are no basis for belief

I was in Transylvania in 1987 just before Ceaucescu was deposed. I visited some of the small villages and yes, people there still believe in vampires.
Vlad Tepes is considered a national hero since he defended Romania (Wallachia, Moldovia and Transylvania) from the Turks in the mid 1400's.

Originally posted by mwm1331

The ravings of a demented irishman are no basis for belief

Why you call him demented?

Would like to hear more on this subject. I don't really know enough about it to reply other than to ask for more info please.

[edit on 8-7-2004 by KSmith69]