Vlad III is said to have been born in the "Casa Vlad Dracul," right next to the Clock Tower, in 1431 and to have spent his early years there until 1436. The later voivode of Wallachia became famous for his cruelty. Because of his penchant for executions by impalement, he was also called Vlad Țepeș, or Vlad the Impaler. As the son of Vlad II Dracul, he was nicknamed Drăculea, or Son of the Dragon. This name inspired novelist Bram Stoker for his vampire character Count Dracula. The house known today as Vlad Dracul is arguably the oldest surviving civilian building in the Sighișoara Citadel. It dates back to the 14th century.