The Complete History of Poenari Castle ( Before and after Vlad)

Previously

…1462 — Ottoman invasion and the great crisis of Vlad's reign. Late 15th–early 16th centuries — The fortress remains active under successive commanders. 16th century — Political prisoners are held there. Later 16th century — Poenari declines and is abandoned. 18th century — Travelers record its growing legends. 20th century — Archaeologists begin uncovering its real history. Today — The ruins remain perched above the Argeș valley, surrounded by the Carpathians. And perhaps the most poignant thing of all is that the stones of Poenari are older than Vlad, witnessed his greatest struggles, survived him, and remained standing after nearly everyone who knew him had disappeared.