Romania brings Dracula Castle saga to close
By Christopher Condon in Budapest
The Romanian government says it will return Bran Castle, popularly known as Dracula's Castle, to Dominic von Habsburg, a New York architect and nephew of Romania's last king, as part of a wider push to resolve the country's long-standing controversy over property restitution.
Mr von Habsburg made a claim for the 900-year-old castle after the Bucharest government last year strengthened the rights of those who lost property under communism.
No legal agreement has been finalised, but Herzfeld & Rubin, Mr von Habsburg's lawyers, said the government indicated it would turn over the property this month. Officials in the culture ministry could not be reached to confirm the decision.
"To me it is emotional and extremely important," said Mr von Habsburg. "I spent my childhood there and have very warm memories."
Royal descendents are not the only ones set to be compensated for properties lost during more than 40 years of communist rule. The government of Calin Tariceanu, the prime minister, is also preparing a fund that will be used to reimburse people who lost properties, both commercial and residential, that for one reason or another can no longer be returned. Many seized properties have been destroyed or now function as public buildings.
Under the scheme the government will transfer state-owned shares in 114 companies, sovereign debts owed to Romania and cash. Officials estimate the value of the fund at €3.8bn ($4.5bn, £2.6bn).
Parties who make successful compensation claims against the state will be awarded shares in the fund, which will be listed in Bucharest and on a leading European exchange.
However, the plan is controversial. Recipients will receive compensation based on the par value of shares. They will not be protected against a loss in share value before they receive shares or after the fund is listed.
Nicolae Ivan, president of the fund's supervisory board, said he did not expect the shares to drop below par because they were valued on net assets, which he called a "very conservative" basis.
Additionally, he said, claimants could opt to reject the shares and sue the state for greater compensation.
Other complications remain for the descendents of some of Romania's largest industrialists. Claimants are required to provide documentary proof of their ownership in companies nationalised in June 1948, but many records have been lost or destroyed.
First built as a fortress by the Knights of the Teutonic Order in 1212, Bran Castle lies just south of the Transylvanian city of Brasov.
In the 15th century it came under the control of Prince Vlad Tepes of Wallachia, otherwise known as Vlad the Impaler and the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula.
In 1920 the castle was presented as a gift to Queen Marie by the people of Brasov. Queen Marie was Mr von Habsburg's grandmother. |
