In a secluded cemetery in the Serbian village of Kisiljevo, a weathered headstone hidden beneath overgrowth has become the centre of renewed fascination. Local historians believe the stone marks the grave of Petar Blagojevic, whose name appears in 18th-century documents as the subject of one of the earliest recorded cases of vampirism. The site, rediscovered using traditional dowsing rods, is now sparking interest among locals and folklorists alike, three centuries after the initial incident, according to a report by AFP.
Origins of the Vampire Myth in Kisiljevo
As per archival records dating back to July 21, 1725, villagers exhumed Blagojevic’s body after a series of sudden and unexplained deaths. The event, documented in the Wienerisches Diarium, noted that the deceased appeared unnaturally preserved. Accounts claimed that blood was seen oozing from his mouth and ears, which, combined with local suspicions, led to the belief that he had returned from the dead to prey on villagers.
To end what they believed was a string of supernatural killings, residents reportedly drove a hawthorn stake through his chest, burned the body, and scattered the ashes in a nearby lake.
AFP reported Mirko Bogicevic, a former mayor and self-declared chronicler of the village's history, explained that the story has been passed down for generations, further embedding Blagojevic into local folklore. While he acknowledged Blagojevic might have been a regular man, he emphasized that the records clearly tie him to Kisiljevo and date back to around 1700.
Academic Views and Medical Theories
The vampire myth may have stemmed from a simple misunderstanding, says Clemens Ruthner of Trinity College Dublin. He attributes the story’s origins to a miscommunication between villagers and Austrian officials sent to investigate the deaths. Ruthner noted that a mistranslation of the Bulgarian word “upior,” meaning "evil person," might have led to it being interpreted as “vampire.”
He suggested the real cause of the deaths might have been anthrax, a serious infection known to cause symptoms like suffocation and fever. Such outbreaks, he explained, were often attributed to supernatural forces in pre-modern societies lacking medical knowledge.
From Myth to Tourism Opportunity
Despite doubts from the academic community, local historian Nenad Mihajlovic insists on the authenticity of the written accounts and believes the grave's discovery adds weight to Kisiljevo’s claim as the birthplace of the vampire legend. He described the dowsing rods dramatically plunging into the earth during their search — an event he and others found unusually compelling.
The region is now hoping to capitalise on the tale to attract visitors. Dajana Stojanovic, who heads the local tourism board, sees potential in blending myth with cultural heritage. She pointed to other local traditions, including folklore involving Vlach magic and ancient customs, as valuable elements to promote.
Vampire Lore Through the Ages
The Kisiljevo case predates Bram Stoker’s Dracula by over 150 years and is considered by some to be the earliest documented case of vampirism. While vampire fiction has romanticised the undead, early legends were rooted in fear and efforts to explain unknown illnesses. In Slavic regions especially, vampire stories evolved as communities grappled with disease and death without scientific explanations.
Historically, conditions such as tuberculosis and porphyria were misunderstood and contributed to vampire myths. In later centuries, similar panics occurred in New England, where families performed rituals on the dead to halt disease, a phenomenon now linked to tuberculosis outbreaks.
Today, Kisiljevo is a quiet farming village surrounded by cornfields and lakes, but its link to one of the earliest vampire stories is gaining renewed attention. Some households even continue to keep bottles of garlic-and-chilli-infused rakija — just in case the legends have any truth.
For Mihajlovic and others, it’s not just about folklore or tourism. It’s about preserving a documented chapter of their village's past — one that, centuries later, still stirs curiosity and wonder.
Origins of the Vampire Myth in Kisiljevo
As per archival records dating back to July 21, 1725, villagers exhumed Blagojevic’s body after a series of sudden and unexplained deaths. The event, documented in the Wienerisches Diarium, noted that the deceased appeared unnaturally preserved. Accounts claimed that blood was seen oozing from his mouth and ears, which, combined with local suspicions, led to the belief that he had returned from the dead to prey on villagers.
To end what they believed was a string of supernatural killings, residents reportedly drove a hawthorn stake through his chest, burned the body, and scattered the ashes in a nearby lake.
AFP reported Mirko Bogicevic, a former mayor and self-declared chronicler of the village's history, explained that the story has been passed down for generations, further embedding Blagojevic into local folklore. While he acknowledged Blagojevic might have been a regular man, he emphasized that the records clearly tie him to Kisiljevo and date back to around 1700.
Academic Views and Medical Theories
The vampire myth may have stemmed from a simple misunderstanding, says Clemens Ruthner of Trinity College Dublin. He attributes the story’s origins to a miscommunication between villagers and Austrian officials sent to investigate the deaths. Ruthner noted that a mistranslation of the Bulgarian word “upior,” meaning "evil person," might have led to it being interpreted as “vampire.”
He suggested the real cause of the deaths might have been anthrax, a serious infection known to cause symptoms like suffocation and fever. Such outbreaks, he explained, were often attributed to supernatural forces in pre-modern societies lacking medical knowledge.
From Myth to Tourism Opportunity
Despite doubts from the academic community, local historian Nenad Mihajlovic insists on the authenticity of the written accounts and believes the grave's discovery adds weight to Kisiljevo’s claim as the birthplace of the vampire legend. He described the dowsing rods dramatically plunging into the earth during their search — an event he and others found unusually compelling.
The region is now hoping to capitalise on the tale to attract visitors. Dajana Stojanovic, who heads the local tourism board, sees potential in blending myth with cultural heritage. She pointed to other local traditions, including folklore involving Vlach magic and ancient customs, as valuable elements to promote.
Vampire Lore Through the Ages
The Kisiljevo case predates Bram Stoker’s Dracula by over 150 years and is considered by some to be the earliest documented case of vampirism. While vampire fiction has romanticised the undead, early legends were rooted in fear and efforts to explain unknown illnesses. In Slavic regions especially, vampire stories evolved as communities grappled with disease and death without scientific explanations.
Historically, conditions such as tuberculosis and porphyria were misunderstood and contributed to vampire myths. In later centuries, similar panics occurred in New England, where families performed rituals on the dead to halt disease, a phenomenon now linked to tuberculosis outbreaks.
Today, Kisiljevo is a quiet farming village surrounded by cornfields and lakes, but its link to one of the earliest vampire stories is gaining renewed attention. Some households even continue to keep bottles of garlic-and-chilli-infused rakija — just in case the legends have any truth.
For Mihajlovic and others, it’s not just about folklore or tourism. It’s about preserving a documented chapter of their village's past — one that, centuries later, still stirs curiosity and wonder.
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