Brief History of Peles Castle
Construction of Peles Castle began in 1873 under King Carol I of Romania, who envisioned a summer retreat that symbolized the country’s progress and cultural alignment with Europe. The project employed architects Johannes Schultz and later, Karel Liman, combining Renaissance Revival and Gothic Revival influences with modern technologies.
By 1883, the main structure was inaugurated, though additions continued into the early 20th century. Notably, Peles became the first castle in Europe to be fully powered by electricity, generated by its own plant on the estate. It remained a royal residence until 1947, when Romania’s monarchy was abolished. After decades of political shifts, the castle reopened to the public and today stands as both a museum and national treasure.