Adventure in Transylvania is a project I’ve been planning for at least two years. Initially, it had nothing to do with BDP; I simply wanted to build a dark vampire castle.
A long time ago, I noticed that the greatest variety of interesting LEGO pieces is available in black and white. This especially applies to Technic elements, which I really enjoy using to recreate architectural details. And such a color choice leads towards a rather narrow range of themes—vampires being one of the more obvious.
The final decision was influenced by the release of two LEGO sets in 2023: Rivendell and the Orient Express. The first one is so perfect that it immediately discouraged me from attempting to compete in using white elements. The second one directed attention to Eastern Europe and the stories of the region’s most famous vampires. It was the right moment to seriously get to work. And when the LEGO Collectible Minifigures Series 25 introduced the Vampire Knight, there was no turning back!
In this construction, I could weave several visually striking elements, such as a raw medieval fortress, delicate Gothic architecture, and even some steampunk details. It’s also worth mentioning the complementary colors in the set. Of course, the dark red walls immediately catch the eye, adding... life, enhancing the sense of dread, and giving the structure a rather unique character. The dark blue of the roof not only serves as a color contrast but also references the Orient Express, which, as I mentioned, was one of the sources of inspiration here."