While Romania has its share of castles to show for, Peles Castle in the Carpathian Mountains is undoubtedly the most spectacular one. If you are to visit one castle in Romania, this is the one.
The summer retreat of Romanian monarchy for more than half a century, it was built to combine Italian elegance and German aesthetics along Renaissance lines, similar to the famous Schloss Neuschwanstein in Bavaria, Germany.
Built at the end of the 19th century in Neo-Renaissance style, it was one of Europe's most comfortable and technologically advanced at the time. It was the first of its kind in Europe to have central heating and electricity, a central vacuuming system and an internal elevator. The first movie projection in Romania took place in 1906 in the castle's Theater Room.
The castle was taken over by the communist regime during the second half of the 20th century, but today its ownership was returned to King Michael, Romania’s last monarch. However, it currently functions as a museum for everyone to enjoy.
When entering the castle, the elaborated woodwork is something to marvel at, but the retractable glass ceiling is a feat in itself-- it was electrically powered more than 100 years ago...
There are 160 rooms adorned with the finest examples of European art, but only a few are available to the public. Even so, a visit is thoroughly rewarding -- the variety and beauty of each room is something to enjoy.
Almost all castle's windows are extraordinary lead glass works of art, beautifully preserved for more than a century.
