History of Peles castle – Peles National Museum

King Carol I in a General of the cavalry uniform, near St. George’s statue (by German artist Rottermun, cca 1912), on the North terrace of Peles castle

The Peles castle was built by the first King of Romania, Carol I of Hohenzollern – Sigmaringen, between 1873 and 1914. By 1883, the year of its inauguration, it was used as summer residence. Between 1890 and 1914, under the supervision of the Czech architect Karel Liman, considered the main architect, the castle was transformed and enlarged.

Decoration: in the first shape (1883), both exterior and interior stylistic dominant is provided by the German neo-Renaissance style with two exceptions, the neo-Ottoman and the neo-Rococo styles.

In the second stage (1890-1914), fundamental changes to the volumes, façades and interiors enriched the previous stylistic range, adapting the castle to the stylistic pluralism of Historicism.

Architects: Wilhelm von Doderer (1872-1876), professor at Technische Hochschule from Vienna, Johannes Schultz (Doderer’s assistant in 1873 and chief architect between 1876-1883), Emile Andre Lecompte du Nouy (1890-1892), Karel Liman (1896-1924); Jean Ernest – entrepreneurs, materials and workmanship.

One of the three projects submitted to Carol of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen in 1873 by Wilhelm Doderer, the first architect of the Peles castle.

Historical context: built as summer residence, the Peles castle was also invested with political, cultural and symbolical functions.

After King Carol I’s death, in 1914, the castle remained both a place for representation and museum; until 1947 it was also used for receiving important guests and for military ceremonies. The most important events organized at Sinaia and hosted by the castle were the festivities marking the 50th anniversary of the Peles castle (1953) under the reign of Carol II, the third King of Romania.

Between January and March 1948, the castle was closed by the order of the communist authorities and the patrimony was catalogued. Most part of the collections: paintings, furniture, decorative art and books were transferred at the National Art Museum.

In 1953, the Peles castle became a museum while the other buildings on the Royal Peles Estate, such as Pelisor castle – summer residence of the 2nd Romanian royal couple, Ferdinand and Marie, and the Foisor castle – former hunting house and residence used by the last kings Carol II and Michael – have been used by Romanian writers.

In 1975, the Peles castle was closed for restoration and conservation, yet still being used by the communist regime to receive official visits.

Legal status: former royal residence (1873-1947), nationalized in 1948, museum between 1953 – 1975 and starting with 1990 till nowadays; both property of H.M. King Mihai I of Romania, since 2007, and public institution under the aegis of Ministry of Culture.