Secret tunnel in at Dracula castle in northern Turkey set to open

The restoration works started in 2009 to open the castle to tourism. Some restoration was completed the following year before other work was restarted in 2014. As part of the project, the bastions of the castle, which were used for defense in the Seljuk and Ottoman eras, have been reinforced. 

Food preparation areas, a military shelter, a secret tunnel to the Pervane Bath in the city center and two dungeons were found during the restoration conducted under the supervision of three archaeologists. It has been claimed that Wallachian Prince Vlad III “The Impaler,” who was also known as Dracula and lived between 1431 and 1476, was held captive in one of the these dungeons during the early 15th century.

For the recent works, a railway system has been established to remove stones and earth to the entrance of the secret tunnel. 

“This place is the future of Tokat,” said Tokat Gov. Cevdet Can. “It will be a famous castle in the world, serving as a film set for films.”