Palace sights in Romania
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Palace of Parliament
Facing B-dul Unirii is the impossible-to-miss Palace of Parliament, the world's second-largest building (after the US Pentagon) and Ceauşescu's most infamous creation. Built in 1984 (and still 10% unfinished), the building's 12 storeys and 3100 rooms covers 330,000 sq metres - an estimated around €3.3 billion project.
Rushed, but interesting, 45 minutes tours go every half-hour or so and lead into a handful of marble rooms - still hired out for conferences - finishing at the balcony Nicolae didn't live long enough to speak from. The whopping €9.60 photography or video fee is widely ignored. Facing from B-dul Unirii, the entrance is around to the right (a 12-minute walk…
reviewed
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Pelişor Palace
About 100m up hill from Peleş Castle, the German-medieval Pelişor Palace has a hard time competing with its neighbour. King Carol I planned this house for his nephew (and future king) Ferdinand (1865-1927) and wife Marie (who didn't get on well with King C and loathed Peleş). Marie picked the design - pretty pastel decorations in simple Art Nouveau style. Most of the furniture was imported from Vienna. Marie used four apartments while Ferdinand had just one.
Marie died in the arched golden room, the walls of which are entirely covered in gilded leaves.
At the western end of the Peleş estate is the Swiss-chalet-style Foişorul Hunting Lodge, built as a temporary residence…
reviewed
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Culture Palace
By far Târgu Mureş' top attraction dominates the square's southwestern corner, the Culture Palace, the city's beloved landmark. Built in 1911-13, the secessionist-style building is unlike anything you'll find around Transylvania. Inside its glittering, tiled, steepled roofs are ornate hallways, colourful walls, giant mirrors imported from Venice, and an often-used concert hall (with a dramatic 4463-pipe organ). Not to mention several worthwhile museums (all included in the entry price).
The best is the Hall of Mirrors (Sala Oglinzi), with 12 stained-glass windows lining a 45m hallway - a tape in various languages explains the Székely fairy tales each portrays. The Art M…
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Royal Palace
The Royal Palace itself is a treat to see (it's now home to the massive, three-part National Art Museum). Built in 1812-15 by Prince Dinicu Golescu, the Palace became the official royal residence in 1834 during the reign of Prince Alexandru Ghica (r 1834-42). The current facade dates from the 1930s. Until 1989 it was the seat of the State Council and was called the Palace of the Republic.
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