Centuries after his undeath, Dracula is still upsetting Christians around Europe. Orthodox, Protestant, and Catholic churches in Romania have joined together to oppose Dracula Park, which the Romania Tourism Minister says will "propel Romania to stardom." "Christian and humane values are being imperiled by this attempt to promote entertainment and games based on cruelty, horror, occultism and vampirism," said a Lutheran statement. Meanwhile, British Christians are opposing plans to make Dracula a major part of a tourism center at Whitby Abbey. Though ruins of the abbey supposedly inspired Bram Stoker to write his book, it is more important as the place where Celtic and Roman Christians fought out their disagreements in 664. "I am angry at the way the town is exploited—and exploits its links with Dracula and the dark spirituality associated with it," says vicar Graham Taylor.
Historical accuracy and appropriateness are not the only controversial elements in the plan to launch Dracula Land. The government in Bucharest has found that it does not own the rights to the image of the legendary vampire—Universal Studios does.