Discovering Peleș Castle: A Magnificent Romanian Landmark
Peleș Castle is an impressive neorenaissance-style building located in the town of Sinaia, Romania, which served as a summer residence for the kings of Romania and is now considered an important tourist attraction.
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Located relatively close to Brașov, Peleș Castle in Sinaia is one of the most important tourist attractions in Romania and one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. The castle was built between 1873 and 1914 during the reign of King Carol I of Romania, as a summer residence for the royal family.
The history of Peleș Castle dates back to 1866 when Carol I of Romania became the ruler and began looking for a suitable place to build his summer residence. He picked the mountainous region of the Carpathian Mountains near the town of Sinaia due to the beauty of the area and its pleasant climate.
In 1872, King Carol I purchased the land on which the castle was to be built and began working on its design. The German architect Johannes Schultz was hired to design the building, and construction began in 1873.
The castle was constructed in the neo-Romanian style, which combines architectural elements from the Italian Renaissance and Gothic styles. The building covers an area of over 3,000 square meters and is constructed from stone, wood, and brick. During the construction process, building materials were sourced from various parts of Europe, including wood from the Apuseni Mountains, marble from Greece and Italy, and chandeliers from France.
The architecture of Peleș Castle is impressive, featuring a wide variety of architectural and decorative details. These include tall, roofed towers, balconies decorated with carved balustrades, and arches and windows with colorful stained glass. Inside the castle, there is an impressive collection of art objects, furniture, and decorations, including precious tapestries, oriental carpets, and crystal chandeliers.
During the First World War, Peles Castle served as a military hospital. After the war, it became a summer residence for the royal family until the monarchy's end in 1947. Following that, the communist government nationalized the castle, and it opened as a museum in 1953.
Peles Castle attracts thousands of visitors from around the world every year, making it a must-see attraction when visiting Brasov and its surroundings! For details about tickets and visiting hours, please refer to their website.
The easiest way is by car, but it's just as easy by train. Trains run daily on the Brasov-Sinaia route, and from there it's a 20-30 minute walk to the castle. Many tourists opt for organized tours departing from the city of Brasov. Alternatively, there are numerous buses that run in the direction of Sinaia. Lastly, you can use the popular ridesharing service BlaBlaCar.