Barovia is the oldest domain in Ravenloft.
It was formed from a part of the ancestral lands of Strahd von Zarovich at the time when he murdered his brother Sergei to win the hand of the beautiful Tatyana in the year 351 of the Barovian Calendar.
Barovia is loosely based on real-world Transylvania. The country is mostly mountainous (the Balinok range) and covered in dense woods. The climate is cold with frigid winters.
Strahd von Zarovich, a vampire and necromancer, remains the darklord of Barovia, inhabiting the Castle Ravenloft, close to the original village of Barovia (otherwise unnamed), the de facto political centre of the land. Other large settlements include Zeidenberg, Immol, Teueldorf, Vallaki and Krezk.
The population is 98% human, with native Barovians and the lower-class emigres from Gundarak, the Gundarakites. The Vistani, though a one percent minority, are influential due to their compact with Strahd.
The most popular language, Balok, shows patterns of Slavic influence.
Barovia was the setting of the 1994 PC game Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession by SSI.
Expedition to Castle Ravenloft includes instructions for placing it in north eastern Faerûn.