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Peles Castle is located in Southern Romania. It is one of the most beautiful castles in Romania. A lot of tourist go there.  It was the first European castle to have electricity,

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Location: Sinaia, Walachia - Southern Romania
Address: Str. Pelesului 2, Sinaia
Nearest cities: Brasov (40 miles north) and Bucharest (80 miles south)
Nearby attractions: Bran (Dracula's) castle (30 miles north-west) and Brasov (40 miles north)
Nearest train station: Sinaia
Telephone:+4 0244 310.918
E-mail
Peles Castle Hours & Admission

Nestled at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains in the picturesque town of Sinaia, Peles Castle is a masterpiece of German new-Renaissance architecture, considered by many one of the most stunning castles in Europe.

Commissioned by King Carol I in 1873 and completed in 1883, the castle served as the summer residence of the royal family until 1947. Its 160 rooms are adorned with the finest examples of European art, Murano crystal chandeliers, German stained-glass windows and Cordoba leather-covered walls.

King Carol spared no expense.
Peles Castle was the first European castle to have electricity, it even has its own power plant.
The Castle has hot and cold running water, central heat and central vacuum system.
The stain glass roof of the foyer opens mechanically and there is a small elevator for the royal family.
Each room is decorated in a different style or theme.
There is a Concert Hall, Music Room (India), Turkish Salon, Great Salon (Italy),
Council Room (Switzerland), Moor Hall, and so much more.
The Royal Library has a secret door
and the castle's 60-seat Theater, with royal box, showed the first movie projection in Romania in 1906.

The castle draws its name from neighboring Peles Creek, which passes right through the courtyard.

The furniture in the Music Room is carved of teak, a gift to King Carol I from the Maharajah of Kapurtala in India, while handmade silk embroideries adorn the ceiling and walls of the Turkish Salon.
The ceiling paintings and decorative frescoes in the Theater Hall were designed by the renowned Austrian artists Gustav Klimt and Frantz Matsch.
Over 4,000 European and Oriental pieces dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries are on display in the armories.

King Ferdinand, who succeeded Carol I, commissioned the smaller, art nouveau-style Pelisor Castle nearby. Pelisor's 70 rooms feature a unique collection of turn-of-the century Viennese furniture and Tiffany and Lalique glassware.

Also worth exploring in town is Sinaia Monastery, founded by Prince Mihai Cantacuzino in 1695, and named after the great Sinai Monastery on Mount Sinai. The monastery served as the residence of the royal family until Peles Castle was built, and now is home to a monastic establishment.

Sinaia, a well-known ski resort, and the surrounding towns of Busteni, Azuga and Predeal provide many facilities for an active vacation - from ski and hiking trails to wildlife viewing.

Attractions not far from Peles Castle:
Rasnov Fortress (28 miles NW);
Bran Castle (35 miles NW);
Brasov (40 miles N);
Ski towns Predeal (15 miles N) and Poiana Brasov (35 miles N);
Bucharest (80 miles S);
Medieval towns of Sighisoara (90 miles N) and Sibiu (105 miles ).

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Location: Sinaia, Walachia - Southern Romania Address: Str. Pelesului 2, Sinaia Nearest cities: Brasov (40 miles north) and Bucharest (80 miles south) Nearby attractions: Bran (Dracula's) castle (30 miles north-west) and Brasov (40 miles north) Nearest train station: Sinaia Telephone:+4 0244 310.918 E-mail Peles Castle Hours & Admission Nestled at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains in the picturesque town of Sinaia, Peles Castle is a masterpiece of German new-Renaissance architecture, considered by many one of the most stunning castles in Europe.

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In the Merry Cemetery, the crosses are painted in bright colors. They have pictures and humorous poems too.
It is one of most famous cemeteries in Europe.

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The Merry Cemetery (Cimitirul Vesel) is located in the Săpânța village, Maramureș county, and it is the place where those who depart from this world prefer to do so in a light-hearted tone.

The wooden crosses on the tombs are painted in bright, symbolic colors, predominantly in blue, bearing an image and filled with darkly humorous poems related to the deceased's life and their image in the memory of their families and in that of the community.

These being said, the Merry Cemetery is definitely one of the most famous cemeteries in Romania, if not in the world.

The first tombs of this happy cemetery were adorned in 1935, at the initiative of the folk craftsman Stan Ioan Patras, who wanted to add a humorous note to these inherently sad goodbyes. It is believed that he took inspiration from the Dacian culture, of which it is believed that they celebrated life and instead of grieving death.

The Merry Cemetery was somewhat of a secret to the outside world until the later period of his life, in the early 1970s, when a French journalist discovered the place and popularized it.

Today, the tradition is carried on by his apprentice, Dumitru Pop Tincu, and the Merry Cemetery now counts over 800 bright-colored crosses, sculpted from oak wood. Some of them are painted on both sides, with one side containing epitaphs about the life of the deceased, and the other one containing illustrations about how they died.

Stan Ioan Pătraș died in 1977, and he left his house and his work to his most beloved student, who continues to paint life stories on the wooden crosses. Stan Ion Pătraș carved his own cross, and this is this is the epitaph written on his tombstone:

Ever since I was a little kid
Stan Ion Pătraș was my name
Listen to me, my good people
Because I will tell no lie All the days I have lived
I wished no harm to anyone
Only good, as much as I could
No matter for whom Oh, this poor world of mine
Living through it was so hard
Stan Ioan Pătraș tumb, the creator of the `Merry Cemetery`
Another famous epitaph written on one of the wooden crosses is:

Underneath this heavy cross
Lies my poor mother-in-law
Three more days she would have lived
I would die, and she would read (this cross)
You, who here are passing by
Not to wake her up please try
For if she comes back home
She'll criticize me even more
But I will behave so well
That she won't return from hell
Stay here, my dear mother-in-law.

Since Săpânța is a very small town, there isn't much room for secrecy. Dumitru Pop said that no one ever got upset about the artwork and that the families actually want the real truth to be depicted on the tombstone. He says that the most common problem he faces is the fact that it can get repetitive: "Their lives were the same, but they want their epitaphs to be different from the others."

Visiting hours:

Daily from 10:00 to 18:00

Ticket Prices:

Photography fee: 4 Lei
Filming fee: 10 Lei

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The Merry Cemetery (Cimitirul Vesel) is located in the Săpânța village, Maramureș county, and it is the place where those who depart from this world prefer to do so in a light-hearted tone.

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The Face Of Decebalus Monument (Mountain Cliff Carving), Dubova, Romania

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The Face Of Decebalus Monument (Mountain Cliff Carving), Dubova, Romania

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The Face Of Decebalus Monument (Mountain Cliff Carving), Dubova, Romania

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The statue is carved in to a mountain and its a craving of Decebalus. Decebalus was the last know king of Dacia (in Romania). The statue is 40 meters tall and it's the largest rock sculpture in Europe.

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The Statue of Decebalus, Romania - | Amazing Places |

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The Statue of Decebalus is located near the town of Orsova, in southwestern Romania. The Statue is carved into the mountain rock and depicting Decebalus, the last king of Dacia (Dacia was the land occupied by the Dacians, during the 1st century BC and the 2nd century AD, Dacia is located in present day Romania) .

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Bran Castle, Strada Sfântul Constantin, Bucharest, Romania

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Bran Castle, Strada Sfântul Constantin, Bucharest, Romania

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Bran Castle, Strada Sfântul Constantin, Bucharest, Romania

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Bran Castle, also known as Dracula's Castle, is located in Transylvania,Romania. It dates all the way back to 1212. It has a long history from being a fortress to a real home for the king and queen.

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Perched upon a 200-foot-high rock and towering above miles of luscious Romanian landscape, Bran Castle is one of the most gorgeous and fascinating strongholds in the whole of Europe.

Very much famous and renowned for its association with the myth surrounding Bram Stoker's iconic novel Dracula, Bran Castle exudes Gothic charm, and has a vast and thrilling heritage, making it the perfect spot for those with an interest in history, or even just those who can appreciate some exquisite architecture and breath-taking views.

Here is everything that you will need to know when planning a visit to Dracula's castle in Romania.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission.
A guide to Bran Castle, Dracula's Castle

Bran Castle originally dates back to the year 1212, where it was constructed on the site of a Teutonic Knights stronghold, and the first time it was documented was in November 1377, after an act was issued that allowed the Saxons of Kronstadt, or current day Brasov, with permission to construct the citadel.

Later, between the years 1438 and 1442, Bran Castle actually served as a defensive fortress against the Ottoman Empire, before becoming a customs post on the mountain pass between Wallachia and Transylvania. However, what was different about Bran Castle in comparison to other castles in this time period, is that it was exclusively used as a fortification, and functioned as protection for German colonists in Transylvania.

It is known that Bran Castle also belonged to the Hungarian Kings for a brief period, due to the failure of King Vladislav II, who was unable to repay his debts.

In more recent history, between 1920 and 1948, Bran Castle became a royal residence, and was actually a gift to the people of Brasov city, to Queen Marie of Romania.

In addition to the castle monarchical history, it is also heavily associated with Bram Stoker, and the myth surrounding Dracula. However, what is fascinating, is that Bram Stoker never actually visited Transylvania, and instead, relied heavily on research and the power of his imagination.

Today, the associations with this iconic author and literary figure are the primary reason why tourists flock to the castle.

What to see in Bran Castle

Drawing in over half a million visitors each and every year, Bran Castle's spookiness and fascinating history draw in so many curious travelers, and there are so many things to see, explore, and discover. Housing an abundance of weaponry, furniture and armor that dates back to the 14 th to the 19 th centuries, Bran Castle offers visitors a wonderful insight into the multi-layered heritage of Romania, and the plethora of residences that have called the castle home across the years.

With 57 rooms in total, Bran Castle is vast, and there an abundance of hidden corners and secrets lurking within. Upon entering the castle, you will be escorted along a narrow stone secret passage, where you will all have to travel through in single file.

In addition, there is a winding wooden staircase, as well as an enormous central courtyard that even features a cauldron. The architecture here is well-worth spending some time exploring and taking in, as even though it was fully restored in the 1980s, it has such an authentic medieval feel, that you feel truly transported back to the Middle Ages.

In addition, there are some gorgeous original features, such as arched Gothic windows and doorways, turrets, spires, and original brickwork. You can also visit 'The Donjon', or the main tower, where is incredibly well-preserved for its age. One of the architectural highlights of Bran Castle is the round tower, which is adorned with the red brickwork that is synonymous with the area; it towers scenically from the castle and looks exquisite.

There are also several rooms that have been renovated and are open to tourists. One of which is The Castellans' Room, where there are several fascinating artworks hanging, and original pieces of furniture. It is also possible to visit King Ferdinand's Dining Room, where the original beams are still visible across the ceiling.

Also, if you are brave enough, it is also possible to visit The Dungeon, though be warned, as this is super spooky!

How to get to Bran Castle from Bucharest & Brasov

Bran Castle is situated in a small commune in Romania's Transylvania region, named Bran. The nearest train stations are Predeal and Brasov, and there are a number of ways to travel to the castle.

Bran Castle from Brasov

The closest big city is Brasov, which is situated 18 miles to the North East. It is possible to take a taxi, which will take around 35 minutes depending on traffic, and will cost anywhere between 15 and 20 Euro (be prepared to bargain); this is the same distance if you are driving independently, with a rental car.

However, the cheapest option is without a doubt the bus service that runs hourly between Brasov and Bran Castle, and costs between 1.50 and 5 Euro, depending on the time of day in which you travel. The bus journey is around 45 minutes.

Bran Castle from Bucharest

From Bucharest, you can take the train from Bucharest North (Gara de Nord) station to Brasov. The journey takes between 2,5 to 3,50 hours depending on the train.

From Brasov, you can either take a taxi that will cost anywhere between 15 and 20 Euro. (Be prepared to bargain) Alternatively, you can take the bus. Please note that the bus station is 3 km away from the train station.

The best way to get from Bucharest to Bran castle if you are not driving is through a guided tour. I personally used this option to visit Bran Castle

My friends and I chose this small group one day tour from Bucharest that includes a visit to Bran Castle, Peles Castle, and the town of Brasov (really cute) with enough time to explore everything. - Click here for more info and to book the tour.
Click here for more information on Peles Castle.

Bran Castle Opening Hours
High Season (April 1 - September 30)
Monday: 12 PM - 6 PM
Tue-Sun: 9 AM - 6 PM
Last Admission: 6 PM
Low Season (October 1 - March 31)
Monday: 12 PM - 4 PM
Tue-Sun: 9 AM - 4 PM
Last Admission: 4 PM

Bran Castle Tickets

High Season (July 1 - August 31)

Adults: 45Lei (9€)
Seniors (65+): 35Lei (7€) (id is required)
Students: 25Lei (5€) (student id is required)
Children: 10Lei (2 €)
School groups (>20pax): 5Lei (1€)

Bran Castle is one of Romania's must-visit landmarks. There is so much to experience and explore, and you could spend several days discovering the multitude of historic remnants and hidden secrets that are buried deep within the castle walls.

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Bran Castle - Dracula's Castle in Romania

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Perched upon a 200-foot-high rock and towering above miles of luscious Romanian landscape, Bran Castle is one of the most gorgeous and fascinating strongholds in the whole of Europe.

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The Carpathian Mountains are the second largest mountain chain in Europe. It runs through seven countries. (Hungary, Poland, Romania,etc.) It's 210,000 square kilometers long.

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The Carpathian mountain region is one of the most significant and richest nature refuge on the European continent. The Carpathian Mountains are home to approximately 30% of the European flora and to Europe's largest populations of brown bears, wolves, lynx, European bison and rare bird species including the globally threatened Imperial Eagle. Besides the natural diversity, the semi-natural habitats such as mountain pastures and hay meadows, which are the result of centuries of traditional land management, are of great ecological and cultural importance. WWF included the Carpathian region in the "Global 200" worldwide list of eco-regions noted for exceptional levels of biodiversity. The Carpathian mountain region provides important ecosystem goods and services such as food, fresh water, forest products and tourism and is part of three major river basins: the Danube, the Dniester (to the Black Sea) and the Vistula (to the Baltic Sea).

The Carpathians serve as a bridge between Europe's northern and south-western cultures resulting in a wide cultural variety.
Threats to the environment of the Carpathian Mountains
Land abandonment, habitat conversion and fragmentation, deforestation, unsustainable forestry and agricultural practices and pollution are resulting in the loss of the Carpathian landscape and biodiversity. The main drivers for this are socio-economic developments and climate change. Land abandonment and habitat loss are most significant in remote areas at higher altitudes where traditional farming cannot compete with modern agriculture. Habitat conversion and fragmentation are mostly related to unsustainable tourism and infrastructure development while agriculture is the main source for the pollution of surface and groundwater. Climate change, causing changes in precipitation patterns, snow cover and temperature, intensifies the processes described above.
Climate change and adaptation in the Carpathian Mountains
The current and projected impacts of climate change have initiated a series of EU funded projects including:

CARPATCLIM aimed at harmonizing climate data from 1961-2010 and making these available in a gridded database;

CarpathCC in which a series of vulnerability studies were carried out and adaptation measures evaluated;

CARPIVIA during which the vulnerability of the Carpathian region's main ecosystems and ecosystem-based production systems were assessed and adaptation options were proposed.

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The Carpathian mountain region is one of the most significant and richest nature refuge on the European continent. The Carpathian Mountains are home to approximately 30% of the European flora and to Europe's largest populations of brown bears, wolves, lynx, European bison and rare bird species including the globally threatened Imperial Eagle.