After we started our trip to Sinaia with castles Peleș and its little brother Pelișor, we will continue with other picturesque tourist attractions, which you may or may not have heard of. In fact, compared to the two castles, these venues are less packed with tourists, which means that you have more time and space to enjoy your time there.
Sinaia Monastery
For the more religious of us, but not necessarily, the Sinaia Monastery is worth visiting for its architecture and sensation of peace and calm that it creates. You know me, I am not exactly a religious person or a church goer, but I must confess that this place has something special. It's like you feel close to... God... divinity... your departed loved ones... or whoever you choose to believe in.
Apart from the main church, which is very artistic and imposing, like most Orthodox churches, there is also a smaller, old church, which we found empty. No priest, no sermon, no other tourists. Silence, and just perfect to find some peace of mind, and admire the antique painted icons on its walls, which time has partly erased. Also you must not miss the Museum of Religious Art, which might appear closed, but it's not. All you have to do is ask the guard, and someone will open it and guide you around. The most interesting part of it is that you will learn about the history of the town of Sinaia.
The George Enescu Memorial House
George Enescu (1881-1955) is Romania's most famous composer of worldwide fame. And in the 1920s he had this house built in Sinaia, to which he periodically used as a retreat and a place to create. Beware though, that the road till you get to the house is long, although the direction signs are present even from the center of Sinaia. Don't be tempted to believe that it's near the center, 'cause it's not. You will have at least 30 minutes to walk, and you'll even end up in some 'middle of nowhere' place, close to the railroads, and you might even think you're lost. But you're not lost, rest assured that you'll get there. The good part is that it's a plain road, so no hills and mountains to climb.
However, as soon as you get there, despite the long road and the proximity to the railways, you will understand that it deserved to be an artist's oasis of silence. The villa is quite big, but it does not take a lot of time to visit it. A spacious terrace with a garden view, a succession of pretty and cosy rooms, each of them tastefully decorated and serving a specific purpose, ending with a small museum on the top floor. At the entrance, you will be given audio guides in various languages, which explain everything about the house and each room, but also the story of George Enescu's life.
Sinaia City Museum (Stirbey Palace)
More than just a museum, this little castle is actually an architectural gem hidden on a small street parallel to the main road, and behind other houses. But you definitely should not miss it.
First and foremost, it is worth even to be admired from the outside, and on the inside you can find just enough information related to the city of Sinaia, its history and its development accross time, in documents, objects, images and filmed footage. You do not depend on guided tours, but all necessary explanations are on display in each room.
***
How to get to Sinaia? Most residents of Bucharest go there by car, but the train can also be a good solution, especially because Sinaia has the prettiest train station that I've seen in the whole Romania, also known as the Royal Station. A wide range of accommodation solutions is also available, from villas to high-brow 4 and 5 star hotels on the main road. Plus, you can find everything that you want also in terms of shops, supermarkets, restaurants, souvenirs and handicrafts. After all, Sinaia is not just a touristic resort, but a town in its own right.
Beauty, elegance, and a fascination of times past. I think that it sums it up. Go and convince yourself! ;)
Apart from the main church, which is very artistic and imposing, like most Orthodox churches, there is also a smaller, old church, which we found empty. No priest, no sermon, no other tourists. Silence, and just perfect to find some peace of mind, and admire the antique painted icons on its walls, which time has partly erased. Also you must not miss the Museum of Religious Art, which might appear closed, but it's not. All you have to do is ask the guard, and someone will open it and guide you around. The most interesting part of it is that you will learn about the history of the town of Sinaia.
The George Enescu Memorial House
George Enescu (1881-1955) is Romania's most famous composer of worldwide fame. And in the 1920s he had this house built in Sinaia, to which he periodically used as a retreat and a place to create. Beware though, that the road till you get to the house is long, although the direction signs are present even from the center of Sinaia. Don't be tempted to believe that it's near the center, 'cause it's not. You will have at least 30 minutes to walk, and you'll even end up in some 'middle of nowhere' place, close to the railroads, and you might even think you're lost. But you're not lost, rest assured that you'll get there. The good part is that it's a plain road, so no hills and mountains to climb.
However, as soon as you get there, despite the long road and the proximity to the railways, you will understand that it deserved to be an artist's oasis of silence. The villa is quite big, but it does not take a lot of time to visit it. A spacious terrace with a garden view, a succession of pretty and cosy rooms, each of them tastefully decorated and serving a specific purpose, ending with a small museum on the top floor. At the entrance, you will be given audio guides in various languages, which explain everything about the house and each room, but also the story of George Enescu's life.
Sinaia City Museum (Stirbey Palace)
More than just a museum, this little castle is actually an architectural gem hidden on a small street parallel to the main road, and behind other houses. But you definitely should not miss it.
First and foremost, it is worth even to be admired from the outside, and on the inside you can find just enough information related to the city of Sinaia, its history and its development accross time, in documents, objects, images and filmed footage. You do not depend on guided tours, but all necessary explanations are on display in each room.
***
How to get to Sinaia? Most residents of Bucharest go there by car, but the train can also be a good solution, especially because Sinaia has the prettiest train station that I've seen in the whole Romania, also known as the Royal Station. A wide range of accommodation solutions is also available, from villas to high-brow 4 and 5 star hotels on the main road. Plus, you can find everything that you want also in terms of shops, supermarkets, restaurants, souvenirs and handicrafts. After all, Sinaia is not just a touristic resort, but a town in its own right.
Beauty, elegance, and a fascination of times past. I think that it sums it up. Go and convince yourself! ;)
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