Peles Castle

Peleş Castle (pronounced Pelesh), located in Sinaia, Romania is a castle built between 1873 and 1883.

History

The foundation rock for this important building – not only for Sinaia, but for Romania – has been set up on 22nd of August 1875. The construction place, the land surface from Peles Creek Valley, had been bought by Ruler Carol I Carol of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen(1866–1881) and later on, King of Romania from 1881 till 1914. At the same time, several other buildings – annex to the castle – are built: The Guard's Chambers, The Economat Building, The Foisor Hunting House, The Royal Stables, and the Electrical Power Plant. Later on, "Sipot" Villa will be constructed, a villa which will be the working place for the architect Karel Liman, under whose supervision, the building of Pelisor Castle as well as the King's Ferdinand Villa from the Royal Sheepfold Meadow (the actual Sheepfold Meadow), will take place. Until the finishing -in 1883- ofthe Peles Castle, King Carol I and Queen Elizabeth lived in Foisor Villa. As for Pelisor Castle, its building has been started in 1889 and finished in 1903, and it was meant to be the residence of the future King Ferdinand and Queen Mary of Romania. Still, until the finishing of Pelisor Castle they lived in Foisor Villa, also. Even King Carol II has lived there, from 1930 till 1940, as long as he has been King of Romania, excepting 1932 and 1933 when the hunting house has been destroyed by a fire.

The neo-Renaissance style was by German architect Wilhelm Doderer and later by Johannes Schultz (1876-1883). Later additions were made between 1893 and 1914 by the Czech architect Karel Liman. It was used to be the summer residence of the royal family. It is the final resting place of King Carol I in 1914.

Following his orders, on that place, the actual Foisor Castle has been built. Peles Castle has over 170 rooms, unlike Pelisor Castle which has only 70. Worthy of mention is the fact that Peles Castle has been the first european castle entirely lit by electrical current. This was possible because electricity was produced by its own electrical plant, located on the bank of Peles creek and was using the water force to produce it. It is also important to know that Peles Castle shelters one of the most important and most valuable painting collections in Europe, almost 2.000 pieces. After King Michael's abdication in 1947, the whole Peles complex less the homonymous castle which was opened for tourism – became, for a short time, a creation and rest place for Romanian culture personalities. During the last years of the communist regime, the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu has closed the entire area. The only persons accepted in this area were the maintenance personnel – severely controlled and checked – and the military guard personnel. The whole area had been declared a state protocol interest area. It is interesting to know that Ceausescu did not like very much the castle, his visits here being rare. After the December 1989 Revolution, Peles and Pelisor Castles are re-integrated into tourism circuit. At this moment, The Foisor Castle remains – like in the past times – a presidential residence, unlike Economat Building and Guard's Chambers Building where hotels, restaurants and terraces are established. The other components of Peles complex became either tourism villas or state protocol buildings. Still, the most interesting account about Peles Castle remains the one that comes from Angelo de Gubernatis (1840–1913), an Italian writer, who arrived in 1898 in Sinaia, as a guest of the Royal Family. We quote: "inaugurated in 1883, Peles Castle is not only a pleasant place during summer time; it has been conceived to be also a national monument. meant to keep the trophies ofthe Plevna victory, which explains the simple but majestic style. The castle's courtyard – Bramantes type – with a fountain in the middle, in the most accurate Renaissance style, pleasantly surprises the visitor. The courtyard has a merry decoration, made out of plants and flowers; all round, the building's facades are animated by elegant drawings. The interior of the castle is a true wonder, due to the beauty and richness of the sculpted wood and the stained glass windows. As you get in the vestibule, you are on the Honor Staircase, in front of the most important rulers of old Romania: Holy Stephen the Great, and Michael the Brave. In a proud attitude, wearing whether a fur cap or with the gold crown on their heads, they impress through the brilliant dressing, in which the white of ermine blends with the emerald green or the red of the large mantle. On the right and on left side of the two rulers, as servant knights, four shield bearers carry the Romanian Provinces escutcheons. Inside the Queen's library, over the groups of children symbolizing poetry and science, there is the image of Ulfilas (311–383a.d.) a Goth religious ruler, from the northem side of Danube River, translating the Bible in their language and bringing his contribution in spreading Christianity, a Christian apostle of the Romans, and the image of Dante Alighieri, the creator of westem poetry. Passing the library and getting into the dormitory, we will meet the image of Genies and Allegories of Painting and Music, as well as a series of legendary themes. Inside the apartments reserved for the honor guests, a number of coat-of-arms were shining through their heraldic abundance, speaking about the ancestors of the Royal Family. But among all, the glass paintings from the Peles Castle are, beyond any doubt, the most profound and shining. Here, the subjects are taken out of Alecsandri's poetry." This is the presentation made by a guest of Peles Castle, at the early beginning of the XX century.

The Museum

Not the whole castle is opened for the visitors, an important area from the upper levels being closed. The visiting hours are: daily from 9 a.m. dll 5 p.m. On Mondays' the-castle is closed and the same on Tuesdays, till 11 a.m. These visiting hours are subject to constant changes due to the tourism seasons. Admission fee is 3 euros.

Location

Northwest of the town of Sinaia, 60 km from Braşov and 135 km away from Bucharest, Romania's capital.

Features

The castle has 160 rooms, notable among them are:

• Big Armoury Room
• Small Armoury Room
• Florentine Room
• Reception Room
• Moresque Room
• French Room
• Turkish Room
• Council Room
• Concert Room
• Imperial Suite

Reference

• Official Peles Castle Website
• Peles Castle Museum
• Sinaia – Peles Castle
• Brasov Travel – Peles Castle