Exploring Romania

Bran Castle P4230152, originally uploaded by oamcsinger.

Pictured:Bran Castle, also known as "Dracula's Castle"

By Denny Nutter
Thursday, April 23

Thursday was a “rest and relaxation” day for the chorus members. One bus took half the group to the Bran Castle, commonly known as “Dracula’s Castle.” It was first used in 1378 in defense against the Ottoman Empire, and later became a customs post on the mountain pass between Transylvania and Wallachia. At the close of the tour, chorus members gathered on the upper balcony overlooking the inner courtyard to sing “Soldiers of the Captain” and “Power in the Blood.” The second bus took the remainder of the group into Brasov for shopping.

Early afternoon the two groups reunited and made their way to the Peles Castle, near Sinaia, a summer retreat for the first king of Romania, King Carol I.

By supper time we were back to the Adventist Seminary in Cernica (close to Bucharest) and were able to stay in campus housing since the students were on Spring Break.