On Tuesday morning we went for the last, quick walk in Bucharest and around noon we left for Brasov. But on the way to Brasov, we planned to stop in Sinaia in order to visit Peles Castle. In many reviews this castle was mentioned as one of the top attractions of Romania, so I was really curious!
After around 2h of drive we arrived to Sinaia, we parked at the parking near the castle and we walked up hill for about 10 minutes. The closer we were coming, the more beautiful castle looked. But the best was still to come!
Visiting the castle was possible only in groups. We bought then our tickets for 30 lei (not without problems as it was not possible to pay with a card!) and we patiently waited for our tour with an English speaking guide. While waiting we were admiring an amazing inner courtyard.
The castle was built by King Carol I of Romania, who felt in love with the beautiful mountain scenery that he decided to built there his summer residence. The construction started in 1873 and was finalised in 1883. The castle was designed in the German Renaissance style by a German architect Johannes Schultz. Interestingly Peleș was the first castle in the world with central heating and fully powered by its own power plant.
At the entrance to the castle, we also had to put on the disposable plastic covers for our shoes and then we could start our visit. We walked into the Grand Hall (the Hall of Honour) beautifully decorated with wooden reliefs on the wooden panels and we followed to the Weapons' Room where we could admire King's collection of weapons coming from the entire World. Subsequently we visited more rooms such as the Royal Library, Music Room and Turkish room. All were just stunning, amazingly decorated with stained glass, wooden ornaments, Murano crystals, Cordoba leather-covered walls sculptures, porcelain, frescoes, wonderful textiles, wonderful furniture... Unfortunately it was not allowed to take photos, in order to do so I had to buy a special ticket, which I did not, as I did not expect this rule to be really enforced and I did not think that this place would be so beautiful. Still, I managed to take secretly a few photos..
At the entrance to the castle, we also had to put on the disposable plastic covers for our shoes and then we could start our visit. We walked into the Grand Hall (the Hall of Honour) beautifully decorated with wooden reliefs on the wooden panels and we followed to the Weapons' Room where we could admire King's collection of weapons coming from the entire World. Subsequently we visited more rooms such as the Royal Library, Music Room and Turkish room. All were just stunning, amazingly decorated with stained glass, wooden ornaments, Murano crystals, Cordoba leather-covered walls sculptures, porcelain, frescoes, wonderful textiles, wonderful furniture... Unfortunately it was not allowed to take photos, in order to do so I had to buy a special ticket, which I did not, as I did not expect this rule to be really enforced and I did not think that this place would be so beautiful. Still, I managed to take secretly a few photos..
Peles Castle turned out to be the most beautiful castle I've ever seen
in my life. Amazing from the outside and absolutely spectacular from the
inside. I have only two regrets - that we did not visit the second
floor (it was another tour, we bought tickets for the first one available) and that I did not buy the ticket allowing me to take photos. One
more reason to come back to Romania :)
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