Brasov, Romania

The third leg of my castle tour in Romania was the medieval city of Brasov. Brasov is located between Peles and Bran in Transylvania. The city is known for it's huge square and the Black Church. The Square was our first stop and where we had lunch. Your money goes a long way in Romania and I was able to have goulash, chicken schnitzel, and a pint of local beer for under $10.

Next up was a tour of the city and which included the Black Church. The Black Church got it's name from a fire in the city that changed it's white stone to black. Inside the church there was a statue of the Virgin Mary that also turned black. Attempts have been made to clean it but they can't get the black off. The church was once a Catholic Church but now it is a Lutheran Church. Unfortunately the inside of the church was closed.

This may have warranted an overnight stay but not this time as the entire tour was one day.  

Black Church

Black Church

Peles Castle Romania

King Carol I and Peles Castle

In my post about Bran Castle I mentioned the tour I took was 12 hours long and included two castles. I actually found Peles Castle to be more interesting and one of the best castle tours I have been on. Bucharest City Tours did a great job and for Peles Castle our tour guide gave us a private tour and we learned a lot more than if we had been on our own.

When Romania gained it's independence in the 1800's the Ottoman Empire would only accept a ruler of royal blood. Romania found a German prince willing to accept the role. King Carol I was Romania's first ruler and as it turned out was the most beloved Romanian king of all time. King Carol I found a beautiful piece of land in the Carpathian mountains that reminded him of his native Germany. On this site Peles Castle was built.

King Carol I wanted everything symmetrical so if you saw a spiral staircase on one side of a room there would be a false staircase on the other side. In every room he also had the four seasons displayed until the death of their daughter that happened in the winter. After that any new rooms were missing winter. The castle also was far advanced for it's time. There was electricity in every room, central heat which meant the fireplaces were mainly for show since they weren't needed, and a central vacuum system that is still being used.

As for the art in the castle, the ceilings had paintings and they installed mirrors so that you wouldn't have to look straight up to view. There are some pieces that look like they were painted but they are actually made up of different pieces of wood and the  different colors made the piece of art.

King Carol I was also a collector of weapons and he has one of the best collections anywhere in the world from Africa, Persia, Europe and Asia.

This is one of the most beautiful castles I have been in. With the Venetian Mirrors, artwork, woodwork, and technology it is a must see.

Peles Castle

Weapon Collection

Miniature Cannon

African Shield

King Carol's wife and daughter

No paint, all from different color of wood

Dining room

Venetian Mirror

Movie theatre