Romania’s Royal Peleș Castle

Welcome to my second Romania post!   While I went to Romania in December for Bran Castle it is safe to say I was more impressed by Peleș Castle and it is often the little surprises on my trips that make them the most memorable. This castle in the Romanian country side was built at the request of King Carol I and servers as the summer residence of the royal family for more than 60 years.

Accompanied by a local tour guide I ventured through some of the most famous rooms over the three floors of the castle, not even seeing close to the 160 rooms.   One of the things I liked the most was combination of styles the German-based monarch the had the castle contsctuded in – a mixed of Italian, French, German, and Middle Eastern styles fill the gorgeous space and change as you move from room to room.  My favourite was the Italian room with the sustaining Murano crystal chandeliers and after touring the inside it makes sense why it cost more than $120 million US to make!

Another room in the castle that most people on the tour were in awe of was the royal armoury with thousands  pieces from three continents and over four centuries but I think I am a bit spoiled by the Arms & Armour wing at the Met in New York City – though remembering I was in rural Romania it was still quite impressive!

After touring the interior I spent half an hour in the freezing gardens marvelling at the architecture, the snow capped Carpathian Mountains in the background, and generally just taking in everything my first morning in Transylvania had to offer. And as I was leaving, a girl came running up to the castle squealing “this is just like the movie” – apparently Peles Castle is in the Netflix film A Christmas Prince and now that is on my watch list!

Would you visit Peles Castle?