History of Peleș Castle

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.

Panoramic view of Peleș Castle's façade and towers in Sinaia Source: Unsplash
Peleș Castle rises elegantly above the surrounding forested hills

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.

Architecture and interiors

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.

Stone pathway leading toward the ornate entrance of Peleș Castle Source: Unsplash
A closer look at the landscaped approach to the castle

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.

Intricate wood-paneled hall inside Peleș Castle Source: Unsplash
The interiors blend ornate woodwork with richly detailed décor

Planning your visit

During the First World War, Peleș 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.

Peleș Castle perched on a forested hillside in the Carpathians Source: Unsplash
Sinaia's mountain setting makes the castle even more dramatic

Peleș Castle attracts thousands of visitors from around the world every year, making it a must-see attraction when visiting Brașov and its surroundings! For details about tickets and visiting hours, please refer to their website.

How do you get to Peles Castle from Brasov?

The easiest way is by car, but it's just as easy by train. Trains run daily on the Brașov-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 Brașov. Alternatively, there are numerous buses that run in the direction of Sinaia. Lastly, you can use the popular ridesharing service BlaBlaCar.

Turreted wing of Peleș Castle framed by evergreens Source: Unsplash
Plan ahead to enjoy the grounds before touring the interiors