Peles Castle is by far one of the most – if not the absolute most – renowned castle in Romania, being also one of the most imposing 19th century European monuments. It was built during the reign of Charles I of Romania (1866-1914), along with Pelisor Castle, the Guards Corps, the Foisor Hunting Manor, the Stables, the Sipot Villa and the Ellectric Factory. It was the first electrified palace in Europe.
Peles Castle
After the 1900 restoration, the Castle came to its present-day shape, being elevated with another storey and covering a total surface of 3200 square meters. It has over 30 bathrooms and 160 rooms that preserve an impressive collection of paintings and weapons, especially. There are over 4000 European and Oriental pieces, the most precious of which are the German armours from the 16th and 17th century and a complete knight’s armour and of his horse, pieces unique in Romania.
The building has seven terraces decorated with stone statues, fountains and ornamental vases of Carrara marble.
Peles Castle – The Interior
Between 1903 and 1906, the arms rooms and the councils room were designed as well. Florentina Room – also known as the Great Lounge – is decorated in a neo-Renaissance Italian style, and the theatre room, in a Louie XIV style; the latter has 60 seats and a royal lodge.
The Music Room of the Peles Castle is furnished with pieces coming from the Kapurtala Maharajah, sometimes used by Queen Elizabeth during her music soirees. The Moorish Room was designed by architect Charles Lecompte du Nouy; it has, as the name suggests, hispano-moorish influences.
The first floor is the place where the living room is found and where valuable silver pieces are exhibited, as well as rustic Bretton furniture. The Concert Room is located here, as well as the royal library which fosters old books with golden and leather covers and engraved in gold. There is a secret door behind a shelf with books, through which the king could access other rooms.