Peles Castle Museum, Sinaia, Prahova
 

Peles Castle Museum: Sinaia

Sinaia

A famous mountain town known as "the pearl of the Carpathians", Sinaia stands at an elevation of 800 meters along the valley of the river Prahova, framed by the Bucegi Mountains. This are contains some of their most beautiful rock formations, true natural sculptures like those known as Sfinxus(The Sphinx) and Babele(The Old Ladies). Although it is still a part of Wallachia, its position makes it an important connection to Transylvania and an excellent departure point for excursions to the forests, mountain climbing, and visits to the numerous castles in the area.

General info

It was the firs king of Romania, Carol I Hohenzollern, who caused the Sinaia to be developed into a fashionable resort in the second half of the 19th century, when he built Peles Castle and set up the court's summer residence there. When he was a guest at the Sinaia Monastery in 1866, the king was charmed by the area and healthful air, and a few years later purchased 1000 acres of land in an isolated, picturesque place called Pietrele Arse(Burned Rocks), where he built his residence.

With its green, white and ochre enameled terra-cotta roofs, with the Clock Tower in the center, Peles Castle rises sumptuously on a terrace covered with vegetation and surrounded by a vast English park. The asymmetrical profile and soaring structure crowned by pointed roofs are typical of German neo-Renaissance style, as is the abundance of inlay work and other decorative elements that adorn the facade.

No less fascinating than a visit to the castle's halls is a tour of the surrounding gardens, embellished with statues and fountains by the Italian sculptor Romanelli. On the side overlooking the valley, there is a beautiful Italian garden adorned by a bronze statue of King Carol I. A monument to his wife Elizabeth is located in the Roman garden on the right side of the castle. The rest of the estate, which consists of a park with a stream running through it, includes numerous buildings used as houses and shops and a hotel-restaurant.

History

In 1873, Carol I commissioned construction of the castle to the Viennese architect Wilhelm von Doderer and his assistant, the Ukranian Johann Schultz. Construction work began in 1875, and on October 7, 1883 it was officially opened. But new expansion work began immediately there-after, this time commissioned to Karel Liman, the same architect who designed the reconstruction of Bran Castle. The royal residence was completed in 1914 in the structure that still stands today, just a few months before the death of Carol I. Through his will, the castle was transformed into a museum, and his successor, his nephew Ferdinand I, transferred the court to the new Pelisor Castle he had built nearby.

During the Ceausescu dictatorship(1974-1989), Peles Castle was transformed into a private residence, where the dictator hosted foreign heads of state in rooms specially furnished to represent various countries of Europe. Only in 1990 was the building restored to its original condition after major reconstruction work and opened to the public.

Visiting the castle

Peles Castle is still one of the best preserved royal residences, and was the first in Europe to be equipped with electricity and centralized heat. Electricity was produced by an independent system that used the water power of the Peles stream.

Its 170 rooms, spreading out in a labyrinth of stairways and corridors, were decorated by artists brought in specially from every corner of Europe in a mixture of styles that range from t6he inspiration of Turkish and Moorish places to German and Italian neo-Renaissance style. The collection of paintings in the building, which boasts over 2000 works, is one of the most important in Europe.

Going through the massive entry gate, we come to an inner courtyard with trompe-l'oeil frescoed walls, the center decorated with a Renaissance fountain.

The ground floor holds the sumptuous state rooms. The Hall of Honor, inspired by the Lubeck Chamber of Commerce and the Bremen city hall, is three floors high in the center of the main building. The walls are covered with wooden panels decorated with bas-reliefs and inlays depicting the forty castles of the Hohenzollern, done by the Viennese engraver Bernared Ludwig. In the center a copy of the famous Virgin of Nuremberg by Peter Vischer stands out, while in the side corridors there are Carrara marble copies of works by Donatello and Luca della Robbia. Within the arcades of the balcony that runs along the first floor, we can admire a splendid series of 18th century Aubusson tapestries. The ceiling is decorated with windows adorned with depictions of mythological scenes and heraldic motifs.

The adjacent Armory has a fine weapons collection that spans the 14th to 18th centuries. The collection includes more than 4000 pieces, from European weapons to Arabian, Persian and Japanese parade arms encrusted with precious stones. There are also several 16th and 17th century German suits of armor and a complete set of gear for knight and horse, the only one in all of Romania. The imposing fireplace that dominates the room is decorated by bas-reliefs depicting the battle of Nicopolis (1396): the 16th century sword on the shelf was used to decapitate nobles condemned to death.

An antechamber leads to the private study of King Carol I, with a walnut ceiling, 18th century windows and, on the walls, reproductions of works by Rembrandt. The adjacent library is also in pure Renaissance style, where a revolving door between the shelves hides a secret passageway that leads to the second floor. Then come the Council Room, with its beautiful 16th century windows, and the Literature Room, one of Queen Elizabeth's favorite rooms; the queen was a great lover of the arts and letters and was herself a poet, writing under the pseudonym of Carmen Sylva.

The Florentine Room was the first reception room in the castle. They bronze doors are decorated by female figures and floral motifs, while the marble fireplace reproduces works by Michelangelo. In the center of the wooden ceiling we can admire a reproduction of a painting by Vasari, done by Gustav Klimt at the age of 21, when he was still an unknown student. On the walls are two original paintings by Veronese and the school of Bernardino Luini. The Venetian Room and the Hall of Columns are elegantly furnished with Italian furniture and copies of works by the great 16th century masters.

We then come to the Dining Hall, with a lovely lacunar and large windows decorated with courtly scenes. The Moorish Room and the Turkish Room are also sumptuously decorated with tapestries, carpets and collections of weapons. The grand staircase, designed by Karel Liman, leads to the first floor, with lodgings for sovereigns and guests, while the second floor accommodated the servants, but not all rooms are open to the public.

Going up to the first floor, the first room we visit is the Concert Hall, built in 1906. It was here, in 1914, that the Crown Council met and decided that Romania would remain neutral in the First World War. Some of the exquisite musical instruments in the hall include a harp constructed in Antwerp in 1621, an upright Bluthnner piano and a Rieger organ. Then come a guest room with rococo style Viennese furniture, a parlor with rustic 18th century furnishing, and finally the sumptuous imperial suite, remodeled in 1906 for the visit of Emperor Franz Joseph to celebrate forty years of the reign of Carol I, with fine 16th century Cordoba leather hangings on the walls.

Photos

  • Peles Castle Museum
  • Peles Castle Museum
  • Peles Castle Museum
  • Peles Castle Museum
  • Carol I of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen (1866 - 1914)
  • Peles Castle Museum
  • View of Carpathian mountains
  • Peles Castle Museum towers
  • Peles Castle Museum inner court
  • One tower of the Peles Castle
  • Peles Castle Museum
  • Peles Castle Museum
  • Peles Castle Museum
  • Peles Castle Interior
  • Peles Castle Interior
  • Peles Castle Interior
  • Peles Castle Interior
  • Peles Castle Interior
  • Peles Castle Interior: arms chamber
  • Peles Castle Interior
  • Peles Castle Interior
  • Peles Castle Interior: theatre room
  • Peles Castle Interior
  • Pelisor Castle Museum
  • Pelisor Castle Museum
  • Pelisor Castle Interior
  • Pelisor Castle Interior
  • Pelisor Castle Interior

Attractions

Tours

  • One day tour (A1)

    Brasov Citadel
    Rasnov Citadel
    Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle)
    Peles Castle (Sinaia)

  • One day tour (A2)

    Brasov Citadel
    Rasnov Citadel
    Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle)
    Fagaras Citadel

  • One day tour (A3)

    Brasov Citadel
    Rupea Citadel
    Sighisoara Citadel

  • One day tour (A4)

    Brasov Citadel
    Harman Fortress
    Prejmer Fortress

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  • Dracula Tour (B1)

    Explore the Transylvanian lands in the search of Dracula's true story. During day 1 you will be visiting Rasnov Citadel and Bran Castle. In the evening Brasov old city will be presented to you. A special accommodation will be taken care of for you at a lodging that is a scaled copy of the Bran Castle. On day 2 you will explore Sighisoara's Citadel followed by lunch at a restaurant located in the home where Vlad Tepes was born and raised.

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Transfers

 
Phone: +4 0722139979