Homonym: Vlad Dracula (Vampire)
Vlad Dracula, also known as Vlad the Impaler, was a 15th-century ruler of Wallachia, a region in present-day Romania. He is famous for his brutal methods of punishing enemies, often using impalement. His reign lasted from 1448 to 1476, and he is often associated with the historical figure of Count Dracula from Bram Stoker's novel.
Vlad was born in 1431 in Transylvania and was a member of the Order of the Dragon, a chivalric order. His life was marked by conflicts with the Ottoman Empire and internal struggles for power. Despite his reputation for cruelty, he is also seen as a national hero in Romania for his efforts to defend his territory.