Castelul Pelișor

The Gold Room: the hidden heart of Queen Marie's castle

If you come to Pelișor expecting the monumental splendour of its neighbour, Peleș, you will be surprised. Here everything is more intimate, and the highlight of the visit is the Gold Room: a chamber whose walls are clad in gilded stucco, shaped into thistle leaves, the favourite symbol of Queen Marie. It is not a ceremonial hall, but a personal corner, imagined by a sovereign who wanted to live in a warm home, not in a museum. This tension between grandeur and comfort gives the whole castle its special charm.

A castle commissioned for the heir to the throne

Pelișor was built between 1899 and 1903 and inaugurated that same year, by order of King Carol I, who wanted a residence for his nephew and heir, Prince Ferdinand, and for his wife, Princess Marie. The plans bear the signature of the Czech architect Karel Liman, who had also worked on Peleș, while the interior decoration was coordinated by the Viennese Bernhard Ludwig. Smaller than Peleș, with dozens of rooms spread over several levels, the castle was designed from the outset as a family space, not as a building of representation.

The only Art Nouveau castle in Romania

Pelișor is considered the only Art Nouveau castle in Romania. Over the slender, elegant line of this movement, Queen Marie layered Celtic, Byzantine and Neo-Romanian influences, weaving them into an eclectic yet warm and personal style. Much of the furniture was made in workshops in Sinaia, and symbols such as the lily appear constantly in the decoration, like a discreet signature of the lady of the house.

The mark of an artist queen

Unlike many royal residences, Pelișor bears the vision of a single person: Queen Marie herself oversaw the arrangement, showing a sure taste for architecture and decoration. She preferred this smaller, more cheerful castle to the imposing Peleș, and every room reflects that desire for intimacy. It was also here that the royal couple's children grew up, among them the future King Carol II.

The place where two sovereigns passed away

Pelișor is not only a beautiful home, but also a place steeped in history: it was here that both King Ferdinand and Queen Marie passed away, in 1938. The queen's bond with this castle was so strong that, many years later, her heart was brought back to Pelișor, closing a circle of destiny. The visit thus takes on a moving note, beyond the artistic value of the interiors.

How to get there and what is good to know

The castle is in Sinaia, in the Prahova Valley, on the same royal estate as Peleș, a short distance from Râșnov, where you are. It is worth combining with a visit to Peleș, the two castles being just a few steps from each other. As it is a museum under public administration, the schedule and fees may change, so check the schedule and fees on the official source before your visit.