Our Transylvanian route brought us to what has quickly become my favorite castle so far—the breathtaking Peleș Castle in Sinaia. Nestled in the Carpathian Mountains, it was once the summer residence of King Carol I and Queen Elisabeth of Romania, and today it still feels like a jewel of European history.

Built in the late 19th century, Peleș became known as “the origin of the national dynasty”—a place where political decisions were made and European culture thrived. Prince Carol of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen had been brought from Germany to the Romanian throne in 1866, and his heritage clearly shaped the castle’s design. The mix of German neo-Renaissance architecture and mountain scenery makes it look straight out of a fairy tale.

But Peleș wasn’t just about beauty—it was about innovation. The castle was the first in Europe to have electricity, along with modern marvels like an elevator, central heating, and even a central vacuum system. Standing in its ornate halls, it was striking to imagine just how advanced and forward-looking it must have seemed to visitors at the time.

The royal family’s story added an emotional weight to the visit. After Queen Elisabeth endured 19 miscarriages, the Romanian constitution was revised to ensure succession passed to King Carol’s nephew, Ferdinand. This change secured the dynasty’s future and shaped the monarchy for decades to come.

Peleș Castle feels like more than just a royal residence—it’s a symbol of modern Romania’s beginnings, where tradition met innovation in the heart of the mountains.