Hello,
My name is Alex i`m 27 years old and i live in Romania :) today i want to share with u some of our country beautiful places !
Peles Castle
The Peles Castle is undoubtedly one of the most exceptional tourist attractions in Romania, boasting a fabulous architecture and a rich heritage. The castle can be found near Sinaia in Prahova County, nestled within the majestic Carpathian Mountains. This fantastic landmark was built by King Carol I of Romania between 1839 and 1914, and it was meant to serve as the monarch’s summer retreat. The cost for this incredible undertaking was quite enormous, since the construction project required approximately $120 million in today’s currency. Nowadays, the Peles Castle is a very important museum that houses a vast collection of arms, armor and art pieces. Some of the most notable rooms in the castle are called The Honor Hall, The Imperial Suite,
The Arsenal, The Playhouse and the Florentine Room, each housing its own unique treasures. The Arsenal, for example, displays 1,600 examples of armor and weapons, including a 15th century German decapitation broadsword and a full Maximilian armor for rider and horse. The Florentine room features a more artful approach, boasting Italian Renaissance elements such as a Grand Marble Fireplace by Paunazio and massive solid bronze doors made in Rome. One of the most interesting places when you visit Romania. When you visit Romania, at Peles Castle you are greeted upon entry by a beautiful statue of King Carol I that was made by Raffaello Romanelli. There are also numerous other statues scattered across the surrounding terrace gardens, most of them being attributed to Romanelli as well.
The castle can be explored only via a guided tour. There are 3 tours available, the first being limited to the ground floor only, while the last offers a complete exploration of the landmark. There is an admission charge as well as an extra charge for those that wish to bring their cameras along. The Peles Castle can be visited all year round except for November, when it is closed for maintenance.
Bran Castle
Also known as Dracula’s Castle, the Bran Castle can be found in Bran, in close proximity to the important city of Brasov. This majestic structure is commonly regarded as the home of the famous Dracula character brought to life by Bram Stoker, but its history is much more comprehensive than that. Actually, the first written mentioning of Bran Castle dates all the way back to 1377, when Louis I of Hungary allowed the Saxons of Brasov to build their own stone keep. In 1920, the Bran Castle was an official royal residence and ended up being the favorite retreat of Queen Marie.
Nowadays, the Bran Castle operates as a museum that houses a large collection of art pieces and furniture that used to belong to Queen Marie. Visitors can choose to explore the halls themselves or under the guidance of a professional.
Corvin Castle
The beautiful Corvin Castle can be found in Hunedoara, in the Transylvania region of Romania. This Gothic-Renaissance masterpiece was commissioned by John Hunyadi in 1446, and it was meant to replace an already existing keep that was built by Charles I of Hungary on the same site. The original Corvin Castle was built in the Gothic style, but it did feature a few Renaissance design elements as well. The building served as John Hunyadi’s home but was also used extensively for defensive purposes, which is why it gradually received multiple towers and extra fortifications.
Some of the towers were meant to be used as prisons, especially the Deserted Tower and the Capistrano Tower, while defensive towers such as the Buzdugan Tower featured large openings that would house imposing weapons. Notable improvements were made during the 17th century, including the addition of a new Large Palace and the construction of 2 towers named the Artillery Tower and the White Tower. Sadly, the building fell into ruin after numerous years of neglect, and it even caught fire at some point, which caused extensive damage. The present version of the Corvin Castle is actually the result of a successful restoration. Due to its incredible history and long lifespan, this majestic building is still shrouded in mystery and legend to this day. One of the most popular Places To Visit In Romania.
Neamt Citadel
The Neamt Citadel is perhaps one of the most impressive citadels in Romania, and it can be found in the northeastern part of the Country, in close proximity to Targu Neamt in Neamt County. This imposing yet elegant structure was built in Moldavia in the 14th century, when Petru I of Moldavia was in charge. The first mentioning of the Neamt Citadel was on February 2, 1935, when Sigismund of Luxembourg led an expedition to Moldavia. The structure was constructed using river stone and quarry stone, and it features a defensive ditch that separates it from the rest of the plateau.
The middle of the fort features a large interior courtyard that is surrounded by different buildings, each with its own specific purpose. The east side featured the storage room, kitchen, prison and money room, while the west side had the armory, a judgment room and a passing hall.
The citadel was built as a fortified outpost that would protect the western border of Moldavia against the expansion of the Hungarian Kingdom. In 1935, Sigismund brought his armies to Moldavia with expansion in mind, but he was defeated by Stephen I at Hindau, just 7.2 miles south of Targu Neamt.
With the passing of time, the citadel fell into decay, but it was restored between 2007 and 2009 using European funds from the Phare program.
Palace of the Parliament
The Palace of the Parliament is a record-breaking building that can be found in Romania’s capital – Bucharest. This massive structure was designed by Anca Petrescu and flaunts 12 stories, 4 underground levels as well as a total floor surface of 3,7 million square feet. Finished in 1997, the Palace of the Parliament is a fine example of neoclassic architecture, but it does feature multiple design elements borrowed from other sources.
The construction costs for this massive landmark soared to $4.1 billion, and so the palace currently holds the record for the “most expensive administrative building ” while other records include “heaviest building” and the “largest civilian building with an administrative function”, all 3 titles being acknowledged by the World Records Academy. During his days as Romania’s leader, Nicolae Ceausescu named the building “The People’s House”, which is why the Palace of the Parliament is more commonly known in English as the “Palace of the People”.
Transfagarasan
The Transfagarasan is one of Romania’s most exceptional roads, and it can be found in the Southern Carpathians, between the cities of Sibiu and Pitesti. The road stretches for 60 miles from north to south, and it runs through some of the highest peaks in the country, including Moldoveanu and Negoiu.
Built between 1970 and 1974 by Nicolae Ceausescu, the road was meant to provide quick and easy army access across the mountains in the event of a Soviet Union invasion. This means that the road was constructed using a military workforce, and it is estimated that its building process claimed the lives of 40 men. This worrying death toll was probably the result of the massive use of dynamite, (13,337 pounds), which was necessary in order to forge a path through the unwelcoming mountain terrain.
Due to its impressive elevation, the Transfagarasan is usually closed off each year from October to June because of heavy snow. Moreover, if weather conditions are unfavorable, the road can be closed in other times of the year as well. The Transfagarasan is known for its numerous hairpin turns and steep descents, which is why it can prove relatively difficult to traverse, especially for inexperienced drivers or bikers. Breathtaking panoramas and unique experiences are all in reach for those that get a chance to travel across this magnificent road. One of the most beautiful Places To Visit In Romania.
END of part 1 ! :)