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The small resort town of Sinaia, about 90 minutes north of Bucharest and an hour south of Braşov by train, is said to have healing powers because of its fresh mountain air and lush green forest. It’s no wonder that the Romanian royal family chose it to be the site of one of the most extravagant castles in all of Europe.
History
The town built up around the monastery and took its name. King Carol I built his summer home, Peleș Castle, near the town in the late 19th century, and it was also the summer residence of composer George Enescu. Nowadays, it’s also a popular destination for hiking and skiing.
Buildings
The main attractions in town are Peleș Castle and the monastery, but there are a few beautiful homes and buildings to see while walking up to those two places.
The most important of those buildings is the old Sinaia Casino, which is now a conference center located near the center of town. It opened in 1912 and was a major attraction until the 1940s when gambling was outlawed by the Communist regime. Visit the official website to see pictures of the interior. Various tours are available from Wednesday through Sunday.