If you are looking to witness a fairytale come to life and immerse yourself in the aesthetic culture of neo-renaissance Europe, Peles Castle is the place for you! The complex, surrounded by the majestic Carpathian Mountains, is a sight to behold.
Whether you are just stopping by or staying in the area, visiting this site is definitely worthwhile. This castle in Romania, standing amidst the greenest mountains, is one of Romania’s most treasured heritage sites. It has even been featured in several films and television series! Here’s everything you need to know about it:
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The castle was highlighted in the movie The Brothers Bloom (2009), along with the Netflix original movie A Christmas Prince and its sequels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Peles Castle Located?
It is situated in the central Romanian town of Sinaia, a location that is approximately 122 kilometers (76 miles) away from the capital, Bucharest.
When was Peles Castle Built? Who Build It?
Peles Castle was built between 1873 and 1914 by King Carol I after he fell in love with the marvelous scenery of the site.
When is The Best Time to Visit the Castle?
The castle is open for visiting almost all year round, each season has its own charm. The best time to visit would be fall, with the nearby trees turning beautiful shades of red and orange and covering the walkways in shed leaves.
Winters too are a wonderful time to visit the castle if you are a fan of snowfall, as you would witness everything around in beautiful white.
The castle is closed in November each year for maintenance and cleaning
What Other Monuments are Located Nearby?
There are plenty of other monuments you can pay a visit to in the area. First off, there’s Pelisor Castle, built in the early 20th century in the Art Nouveau style. Next, there is Sinaia Monastery, which is a beautiful monument reminiscent of Byzantine architecture.
Another splendid location for you to visit on your trip to Peles Castle is Snagov Monastery. Situated on an island overlooking beautiful Snagov Lake and accessed by a stunning bridge, you will find intricate murals there. It also houses the burial site of the infamous Vlad III, which is an attraction in and of itself.
Other than that, you can also pay a visit to the George Enescu Memorial Museum and Babele Natural Monument – both gorgeously maintained heritage sites in the area.
FOR HISTORY | BEAUTIFUL IMAGES | INTERESTING FACTS | TRAVEL TIPS
Early History
Initial Construction (1873)
King Carol I of Romania bought land close to the Piatra Arsa River, where the palace is now situated,3 because of its magnificent mountainous scenery. He named it the Royal Estate of Sinaia and commissioned the construction of a summer getaway and royal hunting preserve at the location. Initial construction works began in August of 1873. It came to be the first castle to be entirely powered by locally generated electricity.
German architect Johannes Schultz and Carol Benesch (a niche Silesian architect) were employed to draw up the plan for the castle. Their draft included guards’ chambers, a hunting lodge known as the “Foișor Hunting Lodge”, a royal guard office, stables, and a power generation plant.
Future Modifications (1893 onwards)
Between the end of the 19th century and the early 20th century, the castle was modified by Czech architect Karel Liman. He was the one who designed the main central tower and the Sipot building, where he himself lived during construction.
The overall cost of these additions to the castle was estimated to be around 16,000,000 LEI (approx. $3,796,332 USD) in gold, with a labor force of 300 to 400 men. The construction had slight postponements around 1877, due to war against the Ottoman Empire, but recovered quickly.
Inauguration and later years
The castle was inaugurated with a ball on October 7th, 1883. The Foisor Villa was inhabited by Queen Elizabeth, King Carol the First, King Ferdinand, as well as Queen Marie. King Carol the Second was born in 1893 at the palace and lived there periodically during his tenure.
In 1947, the Communist regime took over Romania, forcefully abdicating the last King, Michael I, and seizing all the monarchy’s property including Peles Castle. The site was converted into a tourist attraction for a while and also hosted various cultural figures of Romania.
Revisit More Historic Places Below or Read Further
Current Times
In 1953, Peles Castle was declared a museum. Later, in the final years of the communist era (1975-1990), the entire estate was declared to be a State Protocol Interest Area and closed off for the public by communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu.
After the civil unrest and subsequent revolution in December 1989, the castle was declared as a heritage site and opened for visitors. The castle was reinstituted to Michael I in 2006 and, following negotiations, leased to the Romanian government in 2007.
Currently, most of the castle is open for tourists. The Foișor Castle (originally the hunting lodge) is presently the residence of the Romanian president. The Economat and Guard’s Chambers buildings have been converted into hotels and restaurants for tourists. Some other buildings of the complex are currently tourist villas while some are still State Protocol Buildings. The palace is visited by up to half a million tourists every year.
Interesting Peles Castle Facts
- The castle was highlighted in the movie The Brothers Bloom (2009), along with the Netflix original movie A Christmas Prince and its sequels.
- Peles Caste’s floor plan covers almost 3200 sq. meters (just over three-quarters acre). It has more than 170 rooms.
- The main central tower of the castle is 217 feet tall.
- Noteworthy people that have visited the palace include Richard Nixon, Yasser Arafat, Muammar al-Gaddafi, and Gerald Ford.
- During the reign of King Carol II, there was a fire in the hunting lodge after which the building had to be reconstructed.
- The castle is home to an exquisite painting collection of nearly 2,000 pieces.
- Italian writer Angelo de Gubernatis was welcomed by the royal family to the castle in 1898.
- Peles Castle has a splendid collection of arms and war pieces, with more than 4000 items.
- The splendid furniture placed in the castle’s music room was a gift sent by the Maharajah of Kapurthala.
- The marble fountain found in the Moor Hall is actually a replica of a fountain in Cairo, Egypt.
- In the Royal Library, there is a secret passageway that was used by the king to access various rooms of the castle in order to seek refuge. This passageway is hidden behind one of the bookshelves.
- Some of the timber in the palace was infested with a fungus known as Serpula lacrymans in the 1980s.
Visiting Peles Castle – Tips and Tricks
Peles Castle is a wonderful fairytale adventure, along with being a great view to Romanian history. The castle and grounds are definitely worth a visit, although it might be a bit of a trek to get out there. The best adventures are worth the time investment though, so we definitely encourage you to visit when you have a chance! Here are some facts and insights to help you plan your expedition.
How to get to Peles Castle?
The cheapest and most recommended way to reach Peles Castle from Bucharest is via train. You can get a train for as cheap as 13 LEI ($3 USD) while the most it can cost you is 50 LEI ($12 USD). Following the 90-minute train ride, it would take you a 23-minute walk to reach Peles Castle.
The fastest way to get to Peles Castle would be to take a taxi. The overall journey from Bucharest to Peles Castle would take you around 1 hour and 45 minutes and would cost you between 335 and 420 LEI ($80-$100 USD).
Another, although slower, way to get to the castle is via bus, at a cost of 13 LEI – 46 LEI ($3-$11 USD). The journey would take around 3 hours and 20 minutes with stops at Campina and Sinaia on the way. From the station at Sinaia, it should take you a 20-minute walk to the castle.
Alternatively, you can also rent a car and drive yourself to the site. The rental fees may vary depending on the vehicle you rent, but the fuel cost should be around 60-90 LEI ($14-$21 USD). This is a good option if you wish to tour at your own pace and make stops for resting and sightseeing as you please.
Ticket Prices, Visiting Hours & Travel Tips
Information was checked & updated on October 22, 2023.
Peles Castle has an admission fee of 50 LEI ($10 USD) for adults, 25 LEI ($5 USD) for senior citizens, and 12.50 LEI ($3 USD) for children and students. This fee covers a basic tour of the ground floor. To opt for a tour of the ground floor as well as the first floor, the fee is 100 LEI ($21 USD) for adults, 50 LEI ($10 USD) for senior citizens, and 25 LEI ($5 USD) for children and students. Additional charges of 35 LEI ($9 USD) are required for photography permission inside the palace.
The castle is open from Thursday to Sunday from 9:15 am to 4:15 pm, with the exception of Wednesday on which it is open from 10:00 am to 4:15 pm. Mondays and Tuesdays are closed.
You can only enter the palace if you join a guided tour. Most days, the earliest tour starts at 9:15 am while the last tour of the day begins at 4:15 pm.
How Long Will It Take to Tour Around?
The tour itself should take about an hour, but be mindful of the fact that the ticket and entrance line may take you an extra 20 minutes or so.
Up to Date Information
For up to date ticket prices and visiting hours visit the official website: https://peles.ro/
Some words of advice and tips:
- Carry cash for payment as a credit card facility is not available.
- Take your student ID if you wish to avail the student discount.
- Visit the castle within an hour of opening time if you wish to avoid large crowds.
- Make sure you try a covrigi, the region’s scrumptious baked specialty!
- You can buy the most charming Romanian souvenirs from stalls set up next to the castle!
- Freshly grilled corn from the area is a must-try!
- Take a hike up the glorious, green Bucegi mountains in the region. The view from the cable car facility will take your breath away!
- You can find comfortable accommodation close to the castle, so don’t shy away from spending a night or two in the mountains and traveling around the sites at your own pace.
- Around the building, you can find beautifully crafted sculptures of the former residents of the castle, including King Carol I and Queen Elisabeth.
- If you wish to take photographs inside the castle, you should purchase a license for it from the holding room prior to beginning your tour of the place.
