General Historical Context of the Trip: Focșani, Sinaia, Brașov

Our route can also be understood as a lesson in the history of modern Romania. We leave from Focșani, travel to Sinaia, to Peleș Castle, and then reach Brașov. Each of these places helps us understand an important stage in the formation of modern Romania.

The starting point is the Union of the Romanian Principalities. On 24 January 1859, Alexandru Ioan Cuza was elected ruler in Wallachia as well, after having been elected earlier, on 5 January, in Moldavia. Through this double election, the Union of the Romanian Principalities, Moldavia and Wallachia, was achieved. This moment is considered the beginning of the modern Romanian state.

Focșani has a direct connection with this event. The town was located right on the old border between the two principalities: Moldavia and Wallachia, also known as Muntenia or, in historical and ecclesiastical language, Ungro-Wallachia. For this reason, Focșani is not only the place where our trip begins, but also a place with historical significance. After the Union, important common institutions of the new state functioned here, such as the Central Commission, which prepared common laws for the two principalities, and the High Court of Justice and Cassation. A town that had once stood on a border became, for a time, a place of unity and of organization for the new Romanian state.

After the reign of Alexandru Ioan Cuza, in 1866 the German prince Carol of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen was brought to the throne and became known in Romania as Carol I. His German name was Karl von Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. The arrival of Carol I helped consolidate the Romanian state and bring it closer to the model of European monarchies.

Romania was a hereditary constitutional monarchy. This means that the ruler, and later the king, did not govern alone and with absolute power, but within the framework of a Constitution, together with Parliament, the Government and the other institutions of the state. The monarchy was hereditary, meaning that the throne was passed on within the ruling family, according to established rules.

During the reign of Carol I, Romania took a decisive step towards independence. In 1877, in the context of the war against the Ottoman Empire, Romania proclaimed its independence. The Romanian army then fought south of the Danube, and victory in the War of Independence confirmed this decision. In 1878, Romania’s independence was recognized internationally. A few years later, in 1881, Romania became a kingdom, and Carol I became the first King of Romania.

This is where our visit to Peleș Castle connects with the story. Peleș is not only a beautiful castle or a tourist attraction, but it is directly linked to Carol I and to the Romanian monarchy. Carol I chose the Sinaia area for the royal residence. The estate was purchased in 1871, construction work began in the following years, and Peleș Castle was inaugurated in 1883. Through Peleș, Carol I wanted to present the image of a modern, European, stable and respected Romania.

Carol I’s wife was Queen Elisabeth, born Princess of Wied. She is also known by her literary name, Carmen Sylva. She was a cultivated queen, close to literature, art and charitable work. Carol I and Elisabeth had a daughter, Princess Maria, who died at a very young age. Because King Carol I did not have a son to inherit the throne, his successor became Ferdinand, his nephew.

Ferdinand also belonged to the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen family and was prepared to become King of Romania. He married Princess Marie, who later became Queen Marie of Romania. Also in Sinaia is Pelișor Castle, built between 1899 and 1902. Pelișor is connected especially with Ferdinand and Marie, because it was their residence as Crown Prince and Crown Princess. If Peleș speaks to us mainly about Carol I and the beginnings of the Kingdom of Romania, Pelișor takes us to the next generation: Ferdinand and Marie.

Ferdinand and Marie are connected with the most important moment in modern Romanian history: the Great Union of 1918. During their reign, Bessarabia, Bukovina and Transylvania united with Romania. For this reason, when we arrive in Brașov, we can make the connection with Transylvania and with Greater Romania. If Focșani reminds us of the Union of the Principalities in 1859, Brașov helps us speak about Transylvania and about the Great Union of 1918.

After Ferdinand, a more complicated period of history followed, with King Carol II and then King Michael. During King Michael’s reign, Romania went through the Second World War, and after the war Soviet influence became stronger and stronger. In 1947, King Michael was forced to abdicate, the monarchy was abolished, and Romania entered the communist period.

Therefore, our route connects several important stages in Romanian history: Focșani and the Union of the Principalities, Sinaia and the Romanian monarchy, Peleș and Carol I, Pelișor and the Ferdinand-Marie family, then Brașov and Transylvania, with a natural connection to the Great Union of 1918.

Peleș Castle

Peleș Castle is directly connected with the reign of King Carol I. It was built at his initiative as the summer residence of the Royal Family, but it was not only a place for rest. Peleș also had a political, symbolic and cultural role: it was the place where the Romanian monarchy displayed its prestige, its connection with Europe and its desire to modernize the country.

Carol I chose Sinaia for several reasons. First of all, the place was remarkable because of its mountain landscape, clean air and quiet surroundings, which made it suitable for a royal summer residence. Secondly, Sinaia was located in the Prahova Valley, on an important route connecting Wallachia with Transylvania. Nearby stood Sinaia Monastery, a spiritual and historical landmark of the area. In 1871, Carol I bought the Piatra Arsă estate, also known as the Sinaia estate, and decided to build the royal residence there. The choice of this place also had a symbolic meaning: Sinaia was close to Transylvania and showed Romania’s openness towards the European world.

Construction work on Peleș Castle began in 1873. The foundation stone was laid in 1875, and the official inauguration took place in 1883. However, the construction and interior decoration of the castle continued in several stages until 1914, the year of King Carol I’s death.

Architects, decorators and European craftsmen worked on the castle. Among the most important were Johannes Schultz, Karel Liman and Bernhard Ludwig. The castle reflects the artistic taste of the period, but also Carol I’s wish to build in Romania a royal residence comparable to those in Europe.

Peleș has about 160 rooms and is known for its richly decorated interiors. Inside the castle there are representative rooms, art rooms, the royal library, armoury rooms, salons decorated in different styles, royal apartments, guest rooms and a theatre hall that was later adapted for film screenings. Each space contributes to the image of a castle that was not only a home, but also an art museum, a place of protocol and a symbol of the Romanian monarchy.

For its time, the castle was very modern. It had its own electrical installation, central heating, a lift, a movable glass roof in the Hall of Honour and a central vacuum system. This system worked through pipes that drew the dust towards an installation located in the basement, a very advanced technical solution for that period. The theatre hall was adapted for film screenings, which shows the Royal Family’s interest in modern technology.

Peleș was not only a royal summer residence, but also a place of representation for the Romanian monarchy. Here, the Royal Family received guests, diplomats, politicians and cultural personalities. For this reason, Peleș should also be understood as a place of decisions, official discussions and important meetings for Romania’s political and diplomatic life.

Through its architecture, technical equipment and the life that took place there, the castle presented the image of a modern Romania, connected to Europe. Peleș was, at the same time, a royal home, a cultural space, a place of protocol and a symbol of the prestige of the Romanian state.

Next to Peleș stands Pelișor Castle. It was built between 1899 and 1902, at the wish of King Carol I, as a residence for Crown Prince Ferdinand and Crown Princess Marie. It was inaugurated in 1903 and is especially connected with the personality of Queen Marie, who strongly influenced its interior decoration.

If Peleș speaks mainly about Carol I, the beginnings of the Kingdom of Romania and the modernization of the Romanian state, Pelișor takes us to the next generation: Ferdinand and Marie. Through them, we reach the Great Union of 1918 and the formation of Greater Romania.