In Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula, we are told that Harker procures a Carfax Abbey in Whitby, London, England, for his client, Count Dracula, to reside. Carfax Abby is an imaginary creation of Stoker but based on Whitby Abbey, an actual structure in the same location.
The initial construction of Whitby Abbey began in the 7th century. It housed Benedictine monks until it was confiscated at the orders of Henry VIII in his battles with Rome in his efforts toward the dissolution of the monasteries (1536-1541). It was abandoned after this and remains a ruin to this day.
Stoker visited Whitby in 1890 and found the gothic ruins the perfect setting for a story.
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| Henry Irving |
At the time, Stoker worked as an agent for Henry Irving, the actor. His first thought was to make his vampire story a play for Irving, but when Irving decided he had no interest in the part, Stoker used Irving's likeness and personality to create his vampire, Dracula.
There are other real-life locations used in the novel, but I thought you might enjoy a photograph as this one was so remarkable visually.
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