Castelul Peles (Peles Castle), Sinaia (must see)
Peles Castle, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Carpathian Mountains in Sinaia, is one of Romania鈥檚 most celebrated landmarks and a masterpiece of 19th-century architecture. Commissioned by King Carol I of Romania, construction began in 1873 and continued until 1914, blending Neo-Renaissance, Gothic Revival, and Baroque elements into a residence that reflected the monarch鈥檚 vision of a modern European kingdom. More than just a royal summer retreat, the castle symbolized Romania鈥檚 growing ties with Western Europe and quickly became a cultural hub, hosting artists, intellectuals, and statesmen.
The exterior of the castle is striking, with its timbered balconies, sculpted stonework, and steeply pitched roofs that rise elegantly from the wooded slopes of the Prahova Valley. Surrounding gardens and terraces enhance its fairy-tale appearance, offering visitors panoramic views of both the mountain scenery and the carefully designed landscape. Inside, the opulence continues, with over 160 rooms lavishly decorated in a variety of styles-from German Renaissance and French Rococo to Moorish and Italian influences. Each space showcases exceptional craftsmanship, with carved wood, stained glass, and detailed frescoes creating a richly layered interior.
Among its many highlights are the Grand Hall, with its sweeping staircase and stained-glass dome, the ornate Music Room inspired by Indian design, and the regal Royal Library, complete with a secret door. The castle was also ahead of its time, equipped with central heating, electricity, and even a retractable glass ceiling. Today, Peles Castle functions as a museum, allowing visitors to step directly into the grandeur of Romania鈥檚 royal past while experiencing a site that remains both historically significant and visually captivating.
The exterior of the castle is striking, with its timbered balconies, sculpted stonework, and steeply pitched roofs that rise elegantly from the wooded slopes of the Prahova Valley. Surrounding gardens and terraces enhance its fairy-tale appearance, offering visitors panoramic views of both the mountain scenery and the carefully designed landscape. Inside, the opulence continues, with over 160 rooms lavishly decorated in a variety of styles-from German Renaissance and French Rococo to Moorish and Italian influences. Each space showcases exceptional craftsmanship, with carved wood, stained glass, and detailed frescoes creating a richly layered interior.
Among its many highlights are the Grand Hall, with its sweeping staircase and stained-glass dome, the ornate Music Room inspired by Indian design, and the regal Royal Library, complete with a secret door. The castle was also ahead of its time, equipped with central heating, electricity, and even a retractable glass ceiling. Today, Peles Castle functions as a museum, allowing visitors to step directly into the grandeur of Romania鈥檚 royal past while experiencing a site that remains both historically significant and visually captivating.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Sinaia. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Castelul Peles (Peles Castle) on Map
Sight Name: Castelul Peles (Peles Castle)
Sight Location: Sinaia, Romania (See walking tours in Sinaia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Sinaia, Romania (See walking tours in Sinaia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Sinaia, Romania
Create Your Own Walk in Sinaia
Creating your own self-guided walk in Sinaia is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Sinaia Introduction Walking Tour
Sinaia is a wonderful city and resort, located at the base of Bucegi mountain. The city is renowned for its beautiful Romanian architecture which nearly provides as gorgeous a landscape as the backdrop. Here, you will find a vast number of buildings that are known by individuals worldwide, as well as visited by thousands of tourists each year.
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles