Peleș Castle, Sinaia, Romania

When King Carol I of Romania (1839–1914), under whose reign the country gained its independence, first visited the site of the future castle in 1866, he fell in love with the magnificent mountain scenery. In 1872, the Crown purchased 5 square kilometres (1.9 sq mi) of land near the Piatra Arsă River. The estate was named the Royal Estate of Sinaia. The King commissioned the construction of a royal hunting preserve and summer retreat on the property, and the foundation was laid for Peleș Castle on 22 August 1873. Several auxiliary buildings were built simultaneously with the castle: the guards' chambers, the Economat Building, the Foișor hunting lodge, the royal stables, and a power plant. Peleș became the world's first castle fully powered by locally produced electricity.

Peles, Castle ,Sinaia, Romania 

The first three design plans submitted for Peleș were copies of other palaces in Western Europe, and King Carol I rejected them all as lacking originality and being too costly. German architect Johannes Schultz won the project by presenting a more original plan, something that appealed to the King's taste: a grand palatial alpine castle combining different features of classic European styles, mostly following Italian elegance and German aesthetics along Renaissance lines. Works were also led by architect Carol Benesch. Later additions were made between 1893 and 1914 by the Czech architect Karel Liman, who designed the towers, including the main central tower, which is 66 metres (217 ft) in height. The Sipot Building, which served as Liman's headquarters during the construction, was built later on. Liman would supervise the building of the nearby Pelișor Castle (1889–1903, the future residence of King Ferdinand I and Queen Marie of Romania), as well as of King Ferdinand's villa in the Royal Sheepfold Meadow.

Peles, Castle ,Sinaia, Romania 

The cost of the work on the castle undertaken between 1875 and 1914 was estimated to be 16,000,000 Romanian lei in gold (approx. US$ 120 million today). Between three and four hundred men worked on the construction. 

Peles, Castle ,Sinaia, Romania 

Italians were masons, Romanians were building terraces, the Gypsies were coolies. Albanians and Greeks worked in stone, Germans and Hungarians were carpenters. Turks were burning brick. Engineers were Polish and the stone carvers were Czech. The Frenchmen were drawing, the Englishmen were measuring, and so was then when you could see hundreds of national costumes and fourteen languages in which they spoke, sang, cursed and quarreled in all dialects and tones, a joyful mix of men, horses, cart oxen and domestic buffaloes.

Peles, Castle ,Sinaia, Romania 

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. Peleș Castle had its official Royal Ball of Inauguration on 7 October 1883. King Carol I and Queen Elizabeth lived in Foişor Villa during construction, as did King Ferdinand and Queen Marie during the construction of Pelișor Castle. King Carol II was born at the castle in 1893, giving meaning to the phrase "cradle of the dynasty, cradle of the nation" that Carol I bestowed upon Peleș Castle. Carol II lived in Foișor Villa for periods during his reign. Princess Maria died there in 1874.

Peles, Castle ,Sinaia, Romania 

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. The area was declared a "State Protocol Interest Area", and the only persons permitted on the property were maintenance and military personnel.

Peles, Castle ,Sinaia, Romania 

Peles Castle was the first European castle to have electricity, it even has its own power plant. The Castle has hot and cold running water, central heat and central vacuum system. The stain glass roof of the foyer opens mechanically and there is a small elevator for the royal family.

Peles, Castle ,Sinaia, Romania 

Peles Castle was the first ever European palace to be powered by electricity, created in its own power plant, and to have central heating. Carol I also built a further castle – Pelisor Castle – on the grounds of Peles Castle. This was to be a wedding gift to his heir, Ferdinand I.

Peles, Castle ,Sinaia, Romania 

The prettiest castle in Romania has to be the Neo-Renaissance Peles Castle which is nestled away in the Carpathian Mountains. 

Peles, Castle ,Sinaia, Romania 

It’s a magical building surrounded by planned gardens and the architecture looks like something from Grimm’s Fairy Tales!

Peles, Castle ,Sinaia, Romania 

Inside, there are over 160 opulent rooms inspired by different countries. There are Murano glass chandeliers, German stained glass windows, and priceless collectible art pieces.

Peles, Castle ,Sinaia, Romania 

Peles Castle is the second-most visited castle in Romania and is arguably one of the prettiest castles in all of Europe.

Peles, Castle ,Sinaia, Romania 

It’s a royal abode and summer family home that showcases paintings, sculptures, rare books, and an array of collectibles.

Peles, Castle ,Sinaia, Romania 

Peles Castle has 168 rooms and 30 bathrooms and many of these were inspired by countries from around the world. You’ll find Moorish, Florentine, Turkish, French, and Imperial styles.

Peles, Castle ,Sinaia, Romania 

The glass ceiling in the Grand Entrance Hall opens up so that visitors could have a perfect view of the stars without leaving the palace. 

Peles, Castle ,Sinaia, Romania 

There is a secret doorway in the Royal Library so that the royal family could travel quickly and in secret through the castle. 

Secret Doorway

Queen Elisabeth of the Romanians, during the construction phase, wrote in her journal.

Peles, Castle ,Sinaia, Romania