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In the late 1970s, when the prince was a mere commoner, he was befriended by Katharina Olympia Caradja, a princess believed to be the last descendant of the storied Impaler. She complained that there was no male heir to her family fortune — which included two palaces in Bucharest.

Under Romanian law, a male heir was necessary for the rights of royal inheritance. "I waited until after my parents died [in 1987]," he said. "Then I began a new life."

Well off in his own right, he bought his 18-acre Schenkendorf estate five years ago and furnished it with 50 nesting boxes for bats.

A few years back, he began hosting "bloodlettings" — to get people to give blood to the local Red Cross.

"I want your blood," Dracula said, "for a very good cause."

Thousands of people came, watching him rise from a coffin to kick off the events, which, he says, resulted in the collection of more than 3,000 liters of blood.

Vampire Politics

But a vampire leads a troubled life. Dracula's estate has been repeatedly attacked by skinheads, who've scrawled swastikas on the walls. And he's been unable to stop a conglomerate that plans to open a Dracula Land amusement park in Romania. It will feature movie theaters, vampire rides, a Gothic castle, a golf course, restaurants and shops.

Now Dracula's hard at work forming his own country. German officials may be laughing him off, but he's already begun printing maroon-colored passports, complete with the Kretzulesco family crest.

He also has advanced plans for the Kingdom of Dracula stamps and automobile license plates.

Is it another marketing ploy to lure tourists to his castle?

"We're very serious about it," he said.

The secession drive was set off by a government order that would force Schenkendorf to merge with seven other small nearby villages — an act sure to raise local taxes, some local residents believe.

Dracula and his followers have even set up a shadow government Cabinet, with the Schenkendorf mayor picked to become the first president. Dracula would serve as the "kingdom's representative."