Castles of Romania
Romania is a fairly new destination for the western visitors. This is why some of the aspects of what this country has to offer are less known to the tourist. The historical background of the country forced the locals to improve their defense system by fortifying the main mountain passes, their vilages and churches, as well as building new citadels on the hilltops above their villages. Some of the tourist attractions presented below were built either by locals in the medievaL times or by the Royal family as a second residence, outside the capital.
BRAN CASTLE
Presently known as “Dracula’s Castle”, the building stands proudly on the top of a rock with a very dramatic, imposing look, in the centre of Bran village. Originally built as a defensive fort to guard the most important mountain pass between Wallachia (the southern region of Romania) and Transylvania, it was started in 1377 by the locals from Brasov and it has had many destinations in time, from the Customs house in the medieval times to the Summer royal residence in 1920 until the forced abdication of King Michael in 1947. Leaving aside the “Dracula” myth associated with this castle, Bran is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Romania, with its fairytale turrets and Mediterranean whitewashed walls, as well as with the impressive furniture imported from Western Europe by Queen Maria.
PELES CASTLE
Considered by most of the tourists the highlight of their trip to Romania, Peles is one of the most beautiful castles in Eastern Europe! It was built as a summer residence for Romania’s longest – serving Monarch, King Carol I, in German neo-Renaissance style with Baroque influences between 1875 – 1914. After the abdication of King Michael in 1947, Peles Castle becomes a museum, with an impressive art collection, medieval weapons, furniture and tapestry collections… One can admire the interior with impressive rooms, each decorated and furnished to reflect a different country with exotic materials like alabaster, gilded linden wood, mother of pearl, Turkish silk etc.
Apart from being built in a breath-taking landscape, in the middle of a beautiful park, Peles Castle is also the first castle in Europe to have central heating and electricity!
BRASOV (Kronstadt, Brassó)
The city of Brasov is the southern gate to Transylvania, opening the visitor’s eye to a different style of architecture. Built by the Saxon settlers in the 13th century, the old town was surrounded by a protective wall and medieval bastions where, in times of peace, the different Guilds were allowed to have their workshops. One can still see old, mediaeval buildings in the historic centre, dating from the 16th century, kept in the original style. However, most of the facades are more recent, from the beginning of the 20th century, from the times of the Austro-Hungarian Empire domination, built in Art Nouveau style.
Brasov has its main square beautifully surrounded by high hills and it is an important cultural and educational centre, as well as the most important destination for ski lovers, providing at only half an hour drive, in Poiana Brasov, some of the best ski slopes in Romania! Brasov is also famous for the region called Schei, where the first Romanian School was built by Romanian locals, outside the walls of the Saxon settlers’ citadel and the Black Church with its impressive collection of Turkish rugs donated by local merchants in medieval times.
14.04.2008. 15:53
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