Carpathian Capers

Sinaia is a city in Romania, in the historical region of Mountenia in the Carpathian Mountains. It is where the German neo-renaissance Peleș Castle is situated.  Peles Castle is considered to be one of the most beautiful castles in Europe, an architectural masterpiece. It has a pretty railway station, too, which is within walking distance to the castle.

To get to the castle when you get out of the station, just walk up the stairs, turn left and walk through a park. On the way you will see nice monuments, and the The Sinaia Monastery. This was founded by Prince Mihail Cantacuzino in 1695 and named after the great Saint Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai in Egypt

It is quite a nice walk. It takes about twenty minutes to get to the Castle. When I was there it was quite slippery with all the snow. You could also take a taxi to the top of the hill, but you would miss all the nice buildings on the way.

The castle is amazing. It feels like a fairytale castle. It was built on an existing medieval route linking Transylvania and Wallachia, between 1873 and 1914. Its inauguration was held in 1883.

The Castle is surrounded by a beautiful garden.

Commissioned by King Carol I in 1873 and completed in 1883, the castle served as the summer residence of the royal family until 1947. Its 160 rooms are adorned with the finest examples of European art, Murano crystal chandeliers, German stained-glass windows and Cordoba leather-covered walls.

One annoying thing about visiting this Castle is that you need to buy a permission slip to take pictures, and you also have to go around in group.

This castle is amazing, you will need to visit to experience it. Everything is really shiny, and well preserved. I was very impressed. Although it is quite a long way from Bucharest, you won’t be disappointed if you visit here.