Tihuţa Pass

Tihuţa Pass (Romanian: Pasul Tihuţa; Hungarian: Borgói-hágó, Borgo-Pass Burgo-Pass or Bârgău-Pass) (elevation 1201 m) is a high mountain pass in the Romanian Bârgău Mountains (Eastern Carpathian Mountains) connecting Bistriţa (Transylvania province) with Vatra Dornei (Bukovina, Moldovia province). The pass was made famous by Bram Stoker's novel Dracula where, termed as the "Borgo Pass", it was the gateway to the realm of Count Dracula. Stoker most likely found the name on a contemporary map. He never actually visited the area. In the 2004 film Hellboy, the pass was mentioned, but it was said to be in Moldavia instead of Romania.


The road from Bistriţa to the Painted Monasteries of Bukovina runs east through the Bârgău Valley and across the Tihuţa Pass which peaks at 3,840 feet. The Bârgău Valley encompasses some of the most beautiful unspoiled mountain scenery in the Carpathians with picturesque traditional villages located in valleys and on hillsides, ideal bases for hiking, riding or discovering their vivid tapestry of old customs, handicrafts and folklore. On the road to Tihuţa, one can visit Livazele village (5 miles northeast of Bistriţa) with its small folk museum called the Saxon House (Casa Săsească) displaying Saxon ceramics, woodcarvings and folk dresses. On the Transylvanian side of the pass, there is also the hotel Castel Dracula, where every year over 100 American tourists spend the Halloween Night, waiting to meet Count Dracula.