Romania returns 'Dracula's castle' to royal descendents
The Romanian government has returned Bran Castle - often known as 'Dracula's castle' - to the heirs of its former owners, the Romanian royal family.
Bran Castle, a medieval building dating back to the 13th century, was seized from the royal family by the communist government of 1948.
More recently, the castle has been used as a major tourist attraction as well as a museum of medieval art - something that should remain the case for the next two years, despite the castle's restitution.
However, the handling of the transfer has been criticised by a panel of lawmakers, which claimed that the castle was returned unlawfully because the correct procedures were not followed - something strongly denied by the government, the Associated Press news agency reported.
Adrian Iorgulescu, culture minister of Romania, remarked: "We are convinced that the property restitution was done correctly."
The last king of Romania, Michael I, still lives today following his deposition by communists in 1947. He is related to the British royal family and spent much of his life in London during his exile.
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