ROMANIA: SINAIA - "THE PEARL of the CARPATHIANS"

 A short 100 km from Bucharest, nestled in the Carpathian mountains, is the pretty little city of Sinaia.  Walking the streets, one can see a resemblance to a Bavarian town.

Considered to be the most beautiful mountain resort town in Romania, it earned the moniker 'Pearl of the Carpathians'

In 1695, a monastery was built, and thus began Sinaia.  Then, in 1883, King Carol I completed building a summer palace (Peles Castle) in Sinaia.  It's said that he loved nature, the clean, mountain air and the ability to escape the summer heat of Bucharest.

The photo below of Peles Castle is used with permission:  Myrabella / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Because of the King's presence, the elite and wealthy, from Romania and all over Europe, were soon attracted to either build summer retreats here or to vacation in very elegant hotels.  It was a golden age.  

After World War II came communism, which shunned a bourgeois lifestyle, and many opulent homes were simply abandoned or taken over for other purposes.  One day, we pick up a brochure from the visitors center for a self-guided walk to former wealthy neighbourhoods, and the enormity and beauty of what once was, is very evident.

Indeed, our two-star accommodation in Sinaia appears to be of that once golden age.  It remains elegant on the outside, but the inside shows its age (carpets) and deteriorating systems (heating); that is just a guess, as I could find no information about its origins.

On check-in, we were given coupons for a free glass of Proseco at the restaurant across the street, which was used fairly quickly.

We appreciate the hotel's location right in the center of town, although voices and music late into the night from nearby restaurants was annoying.

The gondola ride up the mountain, which we had hoped to take, is only a short distance away, but it is closed for renovation when we are there.  In the end, we might not have gone as bear sightings were numerous and warnings were put out over the emergency alert system.

Sinaia's lovely City Hall.

A new, modern hotel.

Catty corner from our hotel is the beautiful Dimitrie Ghica Park, with wide paths for strolling, a children's playground, some very old trees and elegant buildings to admire.  The casino, built by King Carol I, is now a conference center and hosts concerts during a yearly music festival.

The casino is closed now, except when hosting events.

A short distance from the casino is the very elegant Hotel Palace.

Other buildings in the park.

This one is still a hotel today and below it is a table/chairs from the front deck.

This building has been converted into a bistro.

This lovely hotel is right on the edge of the park.

Located near the Hotel Palace and just outside of the park is a cemetery with over a hundred markers for soldiers who fell during WWI.  In addition, there is a Book of Americans monument that commemorates American servicemen who were killed or taken prisoner in Romania during World War II.  It's a poignant reminder of the human cost of war.

A pathway from the cemetery, back into the park.

PELES CASTLE

The elegance, workmanship and decor inside this building are difficult to capture with a camera.  It's almost impossible to believe this quality was achieved in the 1800s.  

To be surrounded by all the wood, marble, silk walls and velvet furniture coverings, ornate ceilings, doors, bannisters, fireplaces, and well, everything is quite a sight.

I won't even attempt to name the various rooms in the photos below, just a small portion of what we actually saw.

A small sample of some of the decor and art.

A small sample of some finishing details and on the far right, just one of the thrones.

Silk covered the walls and furniture complete this room.

The photo below is of carved plaster that has then been gilded and burnished.  

The walls of an entire room are like this.  Extraordinary workmanship.

This inlaid tabletop was exceptionally beautiful.

And of course, every king must have his war room.

PELISOR CASTLE

Pelisor Castle is on the grounds of Peles Castle.  Much smaller and more modern, it was built by King Carol I for his nephew and heir, the future King Ferdinand, and his wife, Princess Marie (who later became Queen Marie).  The Royal couple used this castle throughout their lives, and Queen Marie died in Pelisor.

Photo below of Pelisor Castle is used with permission.  On Wikimedia Commons and done by Pudelek (Marcin Szala).  https://creative commons.org/licenses/bysa/3.0

The rooms here are smaller, brighter, more informal and include some emerging Art Nouveau style.

A few of the furnishings, art and decor in Pelisor Castle.

Miscellaneous Photos from both castles

We walked to and from the castles.  A couple of elegant restaurants we passed on the way.

These last photos of buildings are of old homes from the aforementioned neighbourhood walk.  We tended to take photos of the more renovated homes, rather than the ones abandoned or in decay, but still occupied.

Sinaia's main street hosts a market every Saturday and Sunday during the summer (from 9am to 9pm).  We enjoy its delights on both days.

There is the usual fare found at markets, locally sourced and hand-crafted.

There were only a few crafts, including jewelry, artwork, needlework and sewing.  

These two caught our eye.

This street art was near the market.

Off to Brasov.  'Till next time.