August 10: The day Peleș Castle began its story, with secrets buried beneath its foundation

On August 10, 1875, the foundation stone for Romania's Peleș Castle was laid in Sinaia, marking the beginning of a royal summer residence that would become a symbol of the nation's modernization. Beneath the foundation, dozens of gold 20-lei coins, the first Romanian currency featuring King Carol I, were buried.

Construction of the castle, which spanned from 1873 to 1914, incorporated modern amenities for its time, including electricity, central heating, and an elevator. Its eclectic architecture, blending German, French, and Renaissance influences, continues to impress visitors today. Peleș Castle is now one of Romania's most visited historical monuments and a prominent royal residence in Europe.

The Peleș domain also holds significance in Romanian royal history. King Michael I, the last sovereign of Romania, was born at the nearby Foișor Castle on October 25, 1921. He spent his childhood on the estate, largely raised by his grandmother, Queen Maria, and his mother, Elena. This period was marked by tension within the royal family due to the deteriorating relationship between Crown Prince Carol (later Carol II) and Princess Elena.