Peleş Castle is a romantic castle in Sinaia, Romania, built between 1873 and 1883, and is considered by some to be the most beautiful in Europe and in the world. In 2006, the Romanian government announced that the castle will be returned to King Michael.
On August 22, 1875, the foundation for Peleş Castle, the city of Sinaia, and indeed for the country of Romania itself was established. The construction site, the Peleş Creek Valley, was bought on this date by ruler Carol I (Carol of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen 1866-81, later King of Romania 1881-1914). Several other buildings, annexed to the castle, were built simultaneously: The Guard's Chambers, The Economat Building, The Foişor Hunting House, The Royal Stables, and the Electrical Power Plant. The "Sipot" Villa was constructed later. This would serve as the work site of architect Karel Liman. Liman would later supervise the building of Pelişor (1889-1903, the future residence of King Ferdinand and Queen Mary of Romania), as well as of the King's Ferdinand Vila in the Royal Sheepfold Meadow (the actual Sheefold Meadow).
Until the completion in 1883 of Peleş Castle, King Carol I and Queen Elizabeth lived in Foişor Villa (where King Ferdinand and Queen Mary also resided during the construction of Pelişor Castle). Even King Carol II lived in Foişer Villa when he was King of Romania (1930-40, except in 1932-3 when the hunting house was destroyed by fire).
Peleş Castle was designed in the neo-Renaissance style, first 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 originally used as the summer residence of the royal family. It also serves as the burial site of King Carol I after his death in 1914.
Peleş Castle has over 170 rooms, unlike Pelişor Castle which has only 70. Worthy of mention is the fact that Peleş Castle is the first European castle entirely lit by electrical current. This was possible because electricity was produced by its own electrical plant which was located on the bank of Peleş creek.
It is also important to know that Peleş Castle shelters one of the most important and most valuable painting collections in Europe, almost 2,000 pieces. After King Michael's forced abdication by the communists in 1947 the whole Peleş complex except the homonymous castle which was opened for tourism became, for a short time, a creation and resting place for Romanian cultural personalities. During the last years of the communist regime, Nicolae Ceauşescu closed the entire area. The only persons accepted in this area were maintenance and military guard personnel. The whole area was declared a state protocol interest area.
Program de vizitare Peles si Pelisor:
| Miercuri |
1100 - 1700 |
| Joi - Duminica |
900 - 1700 |
| Luni - Marti |
Inchis |
Taxa intrare Peles:
| Adulti |
12 Lei |
| Elevi, Studenti |
5 Lei |
| Card Euro <26 |
6 Lei |
Taxa Intrare Pelisor:
| Adulti |
9 Lei |
| Elevi, Studenti |
3 Lei |
| Card Euro <26 |
4,5 Lei |
