Peles Castle

Peles Castle, a Neo-Renaissance castle, was built between 1873 and 1914, and inaugurated in 1883 as a summer residence by the first king of Romania, King Carol I. Situated in an idyllic setting at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, in the Sinaia resort, the fairytale castle manages to impress from the first glance, as it appears through the trees on the side of the rock paved road.

On the Royal Domain which extends on 5.3 square kilometers one can find the Pelisor Castle as well, along with the Guard’s Chamber, The Economat Building, The Foisor Hunting Chateau and the Royal Stables.

The castle has an impressive number of 168 rooms, but only 35 are accessible to the public. Many of the rooms have dedicated themes from world cultures, such as Florentine, Turkish, Moorish, French and Imperial. The quality and intricacy of the décor astounds, from the Murano crystal chandeliers to the carved teak and German stained-glass windows.

One of the finest collections of art in East and Central Europe is to be found here, consisting of paintings, furniture, statues, arms and armor, stained glass, tapestries and rugs. King Carol I was known as a great collector, thus his arms and armor collection has over 4000 pieces spreading through over four centuries in history. Not surprising is also the fact that Peles Castle shelters one of the most important and most valuable painting collections in Europe, almost 2 000 pieces.

The three architects that contributed at the grander of the castle are the Viennese Wilhelm von Doderer, the German Johannes Schultz and last but not least the Czech architect Karel Liman. Karel Liman made new additions between 1893 and 1914 such as designing the towers, including the central tower with a total height of 66 meter.

The castle is also impressive for its high-tech appliances, including a vacuum cleaner from 1901, an electric food elevator from 1912, still in use, and the existence in those times of its own Power Plant making it the world’s first castle fully operated by electric power. One room decorated by a young Gustav Klimt served as the royal cinema.

The hand of King Carol’s wife, Elizabeth is everywhere apparent. Better known by her “nom de plume” Carmen Sylva (Song of the forest), she was a lover of all things Celtic and Scandinavian, and filled the palace with Celtic crosses, Norwegian chairs and wood and leather paneling. Many of the features, including a whole staircase, are purely decorative.

The castle remained in the property of the Royal family until King Michael I was forced to abdicate in 1947. The Communist regime seized all royal property and the castle became a resting place for Romanian cultural personalities. In 1953 the castle was declared a museum, but during Ceausescu’s time Peles Castle was entirely closed. The only persons accepted in this area were maintenance and military guard personnel. The whole area was declared a state protocol interest area.

It is interesting to note that Ceausescu did not like the castle very much and visited rarely.

After the December 1989 Revolution, Peles Castle was reintegrated into the tourism circuit. Every year since its opening to the public, Peles Castle has received between a quarter to almost half a million visitors every year.

The Honour Hall was finished completely only in 1911, under the guidance of Karel Liman and it spreads over three flours. Walls are dressed in exquisitely carved woodwork, mostly European walnut and exotic timbers. Bass-reliefs, alabaster sculptures and retractable stained glass panels complete the decor.

The Imperial Suite is believed to be a tribute to the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I, who visited the palace as a friend of the Romanian royal family. Hence why, decorator Auguste Bembe preferred the sumptuous Austrian Baroque in style of Empress Maria Theresa. A perfectly preserved five hundred years old Cordoban tooled leather wall cover is the rarest of such quality.

The Grand Armoury is where sixteen hundred of the four thousands Peles Castle’s pieces of weaponry and armour reside. It is one of Europe’s finest collection of hunting and war implements, timelined between 14th and 19th century. Famous here are the complete Maximilian armour for horse and rider and a 15th century German “nobles only” decapitation broadsword.

The Small Armoury is where predominantly Oriental arms and armour pieces are in exhibit, many of them made in gold and silver, inlaid with precious stones. Including chainmail armours, kulah khud helmets, scimitars, yataghans, daggers, miquelets, matchlocks, lances, pistols, dhal shields, axes and spears.

The Playhouse is decorated in Louis XIV style, with sixty seats and a Royal Box. Architectural decoration and mural paintings are signed by Gustav Klimt and Frantz Matsch.

The Florentine Room combines revived elements of the Italian Renaissance, mostly Florence. Most impressive are the solid bronze doors executed in Rome ateliers of Luigi Magni and the Grand Marble Fireplace executed by Paunazio with Michelangelo motifs.

The Moorish Salon was executed under the guidance of Charles Lecompte de Nouy, and as the name suggests it is meant to embody elements of North-African and Hispanic Moorish style. Decorated with pearl inlaid furniture, fine Persian Saruk and Ottoman Isparta rugs, the salon is completed with an indoor marble fountain.

The Turkish Parlor emulates the Ottoman life joy atmosphere. A room full of Turkish Smirna rugs and copperware from Anatolia and Persia. Walls are covered in hand-made textiles like silk brocades from the Siegert shops of Vienna.

Only the first floor of the Peles Castle can be visited, due to the high number of visitors. Each year in November the castle is closed to the public for the whole month. The visiting hours are subject to change due to the tourist seasons.

Visiting Hours:

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00-17:00
Wendsday – Sunday: 09:00 – 17:00

Entrance Fees:

Adults: 15 RON
Photo: 30 RON
Video: 50 RON