Pelișor Castle, Art Nouveau castle in Sinaia, Romania
Pelișor Castle is an Art Nouveau castle in Sinaia containing over 100 rooms decorated with Florentine, Moorish, and Turkish design elements. The building sits near its neighboring royal residence at the edge of the Carpathians and blends architectural traditions from across Europe.
King Carol I commissioned the castle between 1899 and 1903 as a residence for King Ferdinand I and Queen Marie of Romania. The project emerged during a period when the Romanian monarchy sought to establish itself within European cultural and architectural standards.
The name Pelișor means 'small castle' in Romanian, reflecting its role as a more intimate retreat compared to its neighboring royal residence. Visitors can see today how the rooms reveal the personal taste of the royal family and served as their private mountain refuge.
Plan your visit during daytime hours, as most rooms rely on natural light to display their decorations properly. The grounds are hilly, so wear comfortable shoes and move slowly to appreciate the interior details throughout the building.
The hall of honor stands out for its oak-wood walls and glass ceiling that lets light pour down from above. This combination of wood and glass was a modern technical solution when completed, reflecting the royal family's wealth and ambitions.
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