Peles Castle, Sinaia, Romania

Nestled at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains in the picturesque town of Sinaia, Peleș Castle is a masterpiece of German new-Renaissance architecture, considered by many one of the most stunning castles in Europe.

History

When King Carol I of Romania (1839–1914) visited the location on which the beautiful castle now stands, he was amazed by the stunning scenery of the Carpathian Mountains that surround it. The construction of Peleș Castle was commissioned by King Carol, and on August 22, 1873, the foundations were laid in the form of a hunting house and a summer retreat for the Romanian royal family. The castle was designed by the German architect Johannes Schultz in a Neorenaissance style that combined numerous features of classic European styles. Construction saw a slight slowdown during the Romanian War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire in 1877–78, but soon afterwards the plans grew in size and construction was quite rapid. Completed in 1883, the castle served as the summer residence of the royal family until 1947.

After King Michael I's forced abdication in 1947, the Communist regime seized all royal property, including the Peleș Estate. The castle was opened as a tourist attraction for a short time. It also served as a recreation and resting place for Romanian cultural personalities. The castle was declared a museum in 1953. Nicolae Ceaușescu closed the entire estate between 1975 and 1990, during the last years of the Communist regime.

After the December 1989 Revolution, Peleş and Pelişor Castle were re-established as heritage sites and opened to the public.

Architecture

By form and function, Peleş is a palace, but it is consistently called a castle. Its architectural style is a romantically inspired blend Neo-Renaissance and Gothic Revival similar to Schloss Neuschwanstein in Bavaria. A Saxon influence can be observed in the interior courtyard facades, which have allegorical hand-painted murals and ornate fachwerk similar to that seen in northern European alpine architecture.

Interior

Peleş Castle has a 3,200-square-metre floor plan with over 170 rooms, many with dedicated themes from world cultures. The furniture in the Music Room is carved of teak, a gift to King Carol I from the Maharajah of Kapurtala in India, while handmade silk embroideries adorn the ceiling and walls of the Turkish Salon. The ceiling paintings and decorative frescoes in the Theater Hall were designed by the renowned Austrian artists Gustav Klimt and Frantz Matsch.Over 4,000 European and Oriental pieces dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries are on display in the armories. Peleș Castle shelters a painting collection of almost 2,000 pieces.

References:

Address

Aleea Peleșului 2, Sinaia, Romania

See all sites in Sinaia

Details

Founded: 1873
Category: Castles and fortifications in Romania

More Information

en.wikipedia.org
romaniatourism.com

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Sinaia Monastery (0,7 km)
Pelisor Palace (0,3 km)

User Reviews

Tsvetelina Dimova (9 months ago)
Beautiful architecture! The location is really nice. There are plenty of restaurants nearby. People are also selling fresh forest fruits. Definitely consider getting your tickets online! The line for buying tickets on site was huge! We waited between 15-20 mins to get in even with online tickets.

Nikos Kapsomenakis (9 months ago)
"Our Romanian friends took us there for a visit, and I must say, I was amazed by its architecture. It was built by King Carol as his summer residence and hunting lodge. One interesting fact we learned is that it was the first European castle to have electricity. The castle is surrounded by a beautiful landscape of mountains, forests, and gardens. It is a must-see attraction for anyone who loves architecture, culture, and nature. It's around one hour and forty minutes away from Bucharest."

Glafkos Havariyoun (9 months ago)
Great scenery and weather! At an altitude of about 900m above sea level you definitely feel the fresh air. We didn’t go inside as in my opionion the €10 entry per person is a bit excessive but then I don’t know what I’ve missed! There is a restaurant near by and local market (definitely worth a visit as they have local products).

Andrei Alba (9 months ago)
Peleș Castle is an architectural masterpiece that stands proudly as a symbol of Romania's rich history and cultural heritage. Its sheer beauty, both inside and out, is a testament to the artistic vision and craftsmanship of the era. If you have the opportunity to visit Peleș Castle, do not hesitate—immerse yourself in its captivating aura and prepare to be spellbound by its unrivaled charm.

sofia kr (10 months ago)
We visited with a group and a tour guide and we didn't regret it! The castle is truly amazing and it's definitely worth paying the ticket to see it from the inside! It was a great experience. everything has been preserved so well, it's impressive! I definitely recommend you visit it! Probably buy the ticket online if you're not with a group. We were there pretty early and also with a group so we didn't have to wait long, but I imagine already having a ticket will speed up the process !

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Roman Moško

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Peles Castle