Which Romanian castle in Argeș County is commonly associated with Vlad the Impaler?

The Romanian castle in Argeș County commonly associated with Vlad the Impaler is Poenari Castle.

Poenari stands on a steep mountain plateau above the Argeș River valley near Arefu, Romania. An earlier fortress occupied the site, but Vlad repaired and strengthened it in the mid-15th century, making it one of his principal strongholds. Its dramatic position helped make it a memorable part of Vlad’s historical image.

The ruined citadel is reached by climbing about 1,480 concrete steps. Earthquakes and landslides damaged the structure over the centuries, but substantial walls and towers remain. The site is also called Poenari Citadel or Poenari Fortress.

Bran Castle is the more famous tourist association with Dracula, largely because of its appearance and later popular culture, but its direct connection with Vlad is uncertain and limited. Peleș Castle was built much later, while Corvin Castle is associated with Transylvanian history rather than being Vlad’s best-known fortress.