Romania is not only a Dracula, Ceausescu and Roma (although they too!), But also an amazing architecture and castles - medieval and not very. We chose the three most impressive of them that should be included in the route if you are going to those edges.
Pelsh castle
Aleea Pelesului 2, Sinaia
Outside, Pelesh is reminiscent of German fakhverkovskie houses, and this is no accident. The castle was built by order of the first king Romania Karol I: German by origin, he saw similarities in local places similarity with his native edge and bought these lands for the summer residence and hunting grounds.
Monarch turned out to be a very strict criticism in architecturally: several first projects, too similar to already existing ingenic palaces, he rejected. In the end, Karol I stopped the choice on the idea that combined aesthetics of different styles, including the German non-herenissance. Build the castle began in 1873. The Peles got his name in honor of the mountain river of the same name, on the banks of which it was built. In parallel the construction of the building on it was built a power plant, so the Peles became the first fully electrified castle in the world. His construction resembled the Babylonian pussy: there were several hundred people from a dozen with excess states. In 1883 the castle was solemnly discovered, but he was finally ready only more than thirty years later - in 1914.
After the Second World War and coming to the power of Socialists, the Peles was nationalized and turned into a museum. However, by the end of the rule of the leader of Romania, Nikolai Ceausescu, access to the public was closed: On the territory it was only a museum personnel and people from military and government circles. After the Romanian revolution of 1989, the authorities first made the castle with the museum, then they returned to the same owner, the last king of Romania Mihai I, and then bought it from the Royal House for 30 million euros.
Looking outside on an elegant castle, more resembling an alpine mansion, it is difficult to believe that it has about 160 rooms. Tourists are allowed only to the basement and first floors. Excursion reminds a little journey: there are rooms in Turkish, English, Italian, German, French, Spanish-Moorish and other styles.
Next door is another castle - Pelishor, whose name can be translated as "Little Peles" - in it "Total" 70 rooms. It was built for Ferdinand I - the nephew of Karol I.
How to get: Sinai can be reached from Brasov (by train from € 2.3) or Bucharest (by train from € 4.8).
Prices: Tour of the ground floor and first floors - € 13 or € 3.2 for students; Only on the ground floor - € 6.5 or € 1.6 for students.
Castle Bran
Strada General Traian Mosoiu 24, Bran
The castle of the XIV century in the town of Bran became famous for the whole world as a vampire possession of Dracula from the novel of Irish Bram Stoker. Bram himself in Romania never had an idea of \u200b\u200bthe country on books and engravings. As a result, Bran turned out to be the only castle in those edges that corresponded to the description of his hero's victim. "From the other hand, an enormous abyss gaped. The castle was built on the edge of the Big Rock, so that from three sides he was completely impregnable. In the West, a large valley was seen, and for her, gear clutches were elevated, located one by one; They were covered with mountain flowers and a thorns, whose roots clung to the cracks and ruins of the stone, "the vampire residence says in the book - and it really resembles the fortress in Bran.
However, the historical prototype of Dracula - Prince Vlad III Dracula - never lived in Bran. He ruled the Valahius - the medieval principality in the south of modern Romania - in the XV century and owned the castle of the Penari, the ruins of which were preserved near the stunningly picturesque transfregashan. Dracula led an implacable struggle with Turkish conquerors, but was devoted to allies and imprisoned. The efforts of one of them, the Hungarian king Matthew I Corvin, the prince went down in history as a bloodthirsty tyrant under the nickname chain - "planting on the count", which inspired Bram Stoker a few centuries later. Some historical sources associate treachery of the Hungarian ruler with an embezzlened dismanded by the Pope of Roman to fight the Ottomans, which he wanted to lean, accusing the Dracula in secret connections with the Turks and filmed guilt for him for military failures. It was then the prince of Valahia and visited Bran, but no longer according to his will: According to the castle employees, he kept him in the imprisonment of Matvey Corvin for several months.
The famous ruler of Valahia and his literary incarnation in the fortress was allocated only showroom. The exposition is devoted primarily to the last owners of the castle - who received him as a gift for the efforts to unite Romania Queen Mary and her descendants who own the fortress today. Those who are more interested in legends about Dracula, it is better to look at the fair at the foot of Brana: here they sell "Vampire" souvenirs for every taste.
How to get: Before Bran is the most convenient to get from Brasov (bus - € 1.5).
Prices: adult ticket - € 8.6; Student - € 5.4.
Corvin castle
Strada Castelului 1-3, HUNEDOARA
Corvin's castle in the industrial town of Hundoara - the largest gothic castle In Romania. Fortress, the first mention of which relates to the XIV century, received for the combat merit of the grandfather of the Hungarian king Matvey Corvin (Hunyadi) for the combat merit. His son, Janos, rebuilt the fortification structure and supplemented it with the towers, and Matvey Corvin tried his work.
Rod Hunyadi owned a castle until 1508, after which he changed more than twenty owners, each of whom was changed in the architecture of the structure. In the middle of the XIX century, the fire destroyed all the wooden structures, including the roofs before the former flat. The fortress was restored and reconstructed, and in 1974 he became a museum and opened the doors for visitors.
Pelesh and Pelishor Castle in Romania on ski resort Sinai are near, which allows them to visit simultaneously for 1 day.
Given the time spent in the castles of Pelsh and Pelishor visiting Sinai in 1 day you can still have time to see the monastery of the Sinai and the Museum of the Natural History of the Mountains Buchegi at the foot of which all this is located.
A visit to each castle in the group takes about 1 hour, the total cost of entrance tickets in both locks, taking into account the permission to photograph about 30 €, which is not very little for Romania. Carefully examine the time of work of both locks, as the schedule for each day is yours, as well as a large number of non-working days, and sometimes whole weeks when the locks are closed.
Road in Zama Peles
From Sinaia Station to Castles to go 30 minutes to the mountain, on the distance it is only 2 km, and throughout the road there will be indicable signs. It is enough to get out of the building of Sinai Station and climb the steps to the Dimitrie Ghica Park (Dmitry Gick), and then look for pointers.
In the fleet itself, you can look at 3 leu in.
Even slightly higher on the road will be with an entrance ticket 5 lei.
Monastery Sinai The further rise in the mountain will be among the residential buildings, most of which most likely surrender to the resort ski season. Houses in Sinai often copy the architecture of Pelesh's locks and Pelishor, so do not be surprised if you see a large private house reminding the castle in miniature.
Already on the approach to the castles, a colorful building will appear, which is like a castle in his own type, and this is just a restaurant and a hotel. Also, here there is a small market with souvenir traders. It is better to look at the market after visiting the castles, after the impressions of what seen it is easier to choose souvenirs and magnets.
Pelsh castle
With the veranda of the restaurant / hotel shown above, the building of the Pelesh Castle will be seen on the slope in the trees.
My visit to the castle Peles fell on a large annual two-week prevention when the lock is closed for visits. Perhaps for the best because entrance ticket And permits for photographing costs 65 lei.
In the rules of visiting the castle, an interesting mark is that the photos of the indoor interior can only be used for a personal archive and forbidden to lay out the network. A strange decision, but the organizers apparently decided that the fewer photos on the network the more people would want to visit the castle. And the castle is registered in Romania as a brand and a trademark, which is also diverted with world practice when the brand is more expensive and more popular.
Even outside, not the entire lock can be inspecting, the photo shows that some passages are closed. Finding on balconies because of this did not work.
This castle was built on behalf of the first king of Romania Carol I, built a lock for a long time from 1873 to 1914, as they built practically at his naked place and had to build both infrastructure in parallel. Not forgotten during construction and about modern technologies - it was the first electrified castle not only in Romania but also in the world, for which the power plant had to be built.
Monument to the first king of Romania Karol I Also near the castle there is a monument to His wife Queen Elizabeth, as well known by the pseudonym Carmen Silva.
Near the next sculpture, few people pass by without making a photo. Lion has very pronounced eyes, which makes pay attention to all passersby. Lion or evil either frightened.
Do not forget to look into the courtyard of the lock where the walls are decorated with a bright painting, also in the courtyard is a cashier.
Though in the castle I did not come, but the information that inside was still found, in the castle more than 160 rooms, but not all are available for inspection, only 35.
Not far from the castle of Peles is a small castle of Pelishor, whose interiors I also could not see, because I did not have enough time. When approaching the castle there is a plate with a ticket and ticket price.
If you briefly, a visit to the Pelishor Castle will cost 52 leu, and if you look at the same information on the official castle of Pelnis and Pelshore, then just more expensive 55 lei.
The lock is less than the previous one, there are only 70 rooms here, but at the expense of its compactness looks cozy. It was built from 1899 to 1903 with the castle of Peles as a summer residence for the heir to the king of the tribe of Ferdinand.
Cashier and the entrance to the castle itself are also in inner courtyard, as in the castle of Peles.
If you get around the castle of Pelishor to the left, then you can simply not know. Come closer from the facade will not work because Everything is overclocked by barriers, chains and warning signs. And for those whom all this will not stop there is also a booth with guard, it was empty in my visit, but I didn't want to risk.
It was the last photo and I want to say that pelesh and Pelishor Castle in Romania It is worth a visit well prepared and learn not only the time of work in advance, but also to take into account the possible technical prevention about which is reported in advance on the site of the locks. Also the mercy of Morally to give for this pleasure about 30 € at the rate.
Pelesh's castle and Pelishor is a very popular and promoted place in Romania and the main attractions of Sinai, tourists here in large numbers even at cool weather in October. So imagine what will be here in the tourist season.
Peles Castle in Romania - One of the most beautiful and fabulous castles of the country. Romania, as you know, is the birthplace of the world famous Count Dracula. There are many interesting and beautiful castles in the country, but Pelesh's castle stands out on their background. There is no definite style or direction at the castle. The architect of this castle Johann Schulz joined in his creation such styles like Baroque, Rococo and Renaissance. There are several towers on the roof of the Castle, and fountains and columns are located on the terraces.
The inner part of the castle Pelesh in Romania is also not a certain style. Each owner left here a part of himself and his culture. Therefore, the castle together Moorish patterns in combination with Renaissance, Turkish ornaments together with the Baroque style. These combinations do not interfere with each other and look very impressive. Romanian castle has 30 bathrooms and 160 ordinary. In the interiors of all rooms, elephant bone, ebony, tapestries, paintings, silver and gold dishes were used.
The Peles Castle is the King Library, which has a large number of interesting books. Not fully made the working office, as the king died, and the office was left as he saw him. It is also worth visiting a dining room, meeting room and weapons. Weapons in the castle a lot, the collection has more than 4 thousand copies.
The castle received its name from the river nearby. The history of the castle Pelesh begins at the moment when King Romania Karol I conceived to build a little residence in the Carpathians in the Carpathians. The construction of the Castle Peles began in 1873, and ended in 1883. But after his opening, the castle continued to rebuild. King Elizabeth's wife, together with her husband, participated in the construction of the castle. In her letters you can read a lot of references to construction. Since the Romanian castle of Peles was built in the XIX century, it was used the newest technologies at that time. There were electricity and installed an elevator, and in 1916 the cinema was made in the castle.
After World War II, a museum was opened in the castle of Peles in Romania. But after a certain time it was closed, and the castle became a residence for the country's senior management. In 1989, the museum was re-opened.
In 2006, the Romanian authorities returned the castle of Peles Royal family, but the family offered to sell it to the state for thirty million euros. After completing this request, the castle of Pelesh received the status state Museum. About five hundred thousand people attend the castle annually.
The entrance to the castle is paid, and prices vary depending on the time of excursion. You can walk on the castle only with the excursion group. Excursions in the castle of Peles in Romania are most often carried out in English.
And one of the most beautiful in Europe. The former residence of Romanian monarchs was equipped with all technical innovations of the last century: telephone connection, a cinema, two elevators, central heating. And it was the first fully electrified.
Myths and Facts
At the end of the XIX century, Romania becomes the kingdom, combining the three principalities of Transylvania, Valahia and Moldova. To rule the state invited the German Prince Carol I from the Gaenzollern dynasty. They say, he liked the surrounding landscapes of Sinai, reminiscent of their native, that he conceived to build a summer residence here.
The demanding ruler rejected several projects, which, in his opinion, were not too original. As a result, the work of the architect I. Schulz and construction began.
The castle was erected from 1873 to 1914 (including finishing works). About $ 120 million were spent on the project. The palace called Peles (in the "belt") - by name the river flowing nearby.
In 1883, a ball took place on the inauguration of the Prince, and in 1893 his son was born - Carol II.
The Peles Castle served as the royal residence until 1947, and then, together with other royal property, confiscated communists who came to power. In 1953, a museum was located in the complex, and in 1975-1989 he was a closed territory intended for recreation and official meetings of the Romanian ruler Ceausescu.
Since 1990, the palace has been opened for tourists, and in 2008 he was returned to the ownership of the royal family - the former King of Romania Mihai I. After talks between him and the government, the latter redeemed Peles for a decent amount of 30 million euros. Now there is a museum here, and the construction itself is considered a historical monument.
What to see
In the structure and functions of Peles, rather, the palace, but traditionally called it. It was built in the style of non-referee with baroque elements. The area of \u200b\u200bthe construction is 3200 m 2, and its height of its towers is 66 m.
The inner "filling" is a mix of all possible styles:, and the German Renaissance, Rococo. They argue that the tour of the Palace is a mini-east of Europe and Asia. 160 rooms (of which 30 - baths) have their own unique interior.
The highest room is a parade lobby with a height of 16 m. The hall is a copy of the German Chamber of Commerce in Lübeck. It is decorated with trees and bas-reliefs from marble gypsum depicting biblical, mythological and historical scenes. Interestingly, so far to ventilating the glass ceiling of the hall is pushed with an electric motor.
A collection of XV-XIX centuries has been collected in the hall, the exposition has 4,000 items - this is one of the richest meetings in Europe.
Medieval weapons are exposed in the Hall of Eastern Weapons. Rich interiors have a king's office, meeting room, music, Moorish and florentine halls. It is impressive wooden carving handmade, original stained glass windows (the richest collections of stained glass in Romania), a collection of valuable paintings, tapestries and statues.
The castle is surrounded by a landscaped park with terraces. Near Pelishor Palace and Monastery So
Autumn time is the time to take a vacation to lovers of non-bank rest. It is at this time that connoisseurs of architecture will be able to admire the beauties of European castles. And let them say that there is nothing tedious campaigns in museums, a mystical castle, drowning in the colors of autumn makes forget about all stereotypes. Visit the castle of Peles in Romania.
Beautiful Romania, one of the most beautiful European countries replete castles. And besides the castle of Count Dracula, the tourist should turn his eyes to the castle of Pelsh, because of its rich architecture, beautiful parks and interior decoration.
The castle found his refuge in very picturesque place, in the territory of Karpat. Next to him the river flows, in honor of which the castle was named. Pelesy thanks to his huge territory looks very supreme. Mostly on a mountain and drowning in greenery, it is difficult not to notice, especially if you keep your way from the city of Sinai or Bucharest.
Castle Peles Na this moment It is a historical monument, but it was not always.
King Carol I, probably coming to other kings in originality and at the same time not wanting to spend a whole condition for the construction of his summer residence, wanted to achieve a proposal from architects, in which uniqueness and savings would be combined. Refusing to many ideas, he finally approved the idea of \u200b\u200ba certain Schulz, the architect, who decided that in order to make the castle's picky king, it should be done in one, but in different styles. As a result, the project turned out very solid. Here the Rococo style is mixed with Baroque and Renaissance, and the overall style of the castle is described by historians as non-hereniss. Peles was built from 1873 to 1914.
Aesthetic elegant, memorable. Because of the mixing of styles, at different times of the year it looks quite organic.
Despite the fact that the castle began to be built at the end of the 19th century, even then there were very advanced technologies. And where to use them, if not for the residence of the king. Pelesh's castle, the first in Romania was equipped with electricity, elevator and even a cinema. Other locks were at that time devoid of such amenities. The construction of the castle ended in 1914.
But the royal family could enjoy his beauties. Already in the middle of the 20th century, almost all the decoration and the premises were generally transferred to state ownership and declared a museum, its exhibits were partially in Bucharest. The castle was discovered for tourists, then for leisure of important persons, it was closed and immediately given the royal family, which later sold his house for several million euros. As a result, the castle became a museum and opened his doors for lovers of the beautiful.
Exterior decoration
As already mentioned, in addition to the castle itself, the territory around him deserves attention. This is a park ensemble in which there are many fountains. The park is decorated with statues. In particular, tourists at the entrance meets the marble statue of King Carol I, and a monument to his wife is a little deep in depth.
Also, at the moment, the park is equipped with a multitude of lanterns, which in the evening beautifully highlight the terraces with statues and sculptures, and you can pass through the territory both by stone tracks and on small stairs. Separate attention deserves the landscape of the territory. The castle surrounds the beautiful garden created in a classic French style.
Interior design of the castle
In addition to the fact that the castle itself is externally performed in different styles, the architects remained correct to this rule and with the inner design of the room. In the castle, more than 150 residential rooms and more than two dozen restrooms. The halls are made in a variety of styles. Some ideas are borrowed from Turkey, others from Florence and many other countries.
The decoration of the rooms as a whole looks very expensive. Here you can see a large number of oriental carpets and tapestries, porcelain and leather, and ivory and black tree occupy a separate place in the interior. Which is very strange, due to the fact that it was originally on construction, and, therefore, they wanted to save on the decoration. Tourists should pay attention to the library, which is still filled with rare books, a hall with a weapon and a king room of Korol, in which the interior did not change posthumously.
For easy perception of the internal decoration of the lock, it can be represented as follows:
Guide to tourist
A visit only to the museum is available only with a tour. Tours are typing groups and from different parts of the castle you can hear their speeches in different world languages. Not everyone is available for viewing, but those that are open are available to visit from Wednesday to Sunday from nine am to five in the evening. The cost of visiting depends on the time of the excursion. The maximum cost without taking into account the photo is seventy lei, that is, a thousand one hundred thirty six rubles.
