SINAIA

Population: 12525 persons

Altitude: 850 - 1000 m

Average temperature during winter: -3.5 °C

Average temperature during summer: 15 °C

Slopes Altitude: 2050 m

Total Length of slopes: 20 km

Black slopes: 10 km

Situated in a breathtaking mountain scenery, Sinaia is located at 120 km distance from Bucharest and 49 km from Brasov, on the Prahova Valley. Sinaia takes its name from the 17th-century monastery built by a Romanian nobleman after undertaking a pilgrimage to Mount Sinai, Egypt. Sinaia is one of the most famous and oldest mountain tourist resorts in Romania, known as "The Carpathian Pearl". It is best known for being the summer residence of the Romanian Royal family.

The mountain beauty can be explored in the summer and Sinaia is the best place to start your journey into the deep forest hiking trails. Bucegi mountains hiking routes are well marked and signs are in good conditions. The hiking routes can be chosen for every taste, ranking from very easy to very difficult ones.

The great panoramas that you can get from many of the laterally emerging peaks of the plateau are one reason for exploring. But the curious and powerful forces of the nature can be seen in many of natural monuments present in the place called Babele (The old ladies). Here, from immemorial times, a naturally modeled group of rocks gave other mystical legends. The Sfinx and Babele are guarding for decades the mountain. Sinaia has a good position and both short (couple of hours) or one day hiking routes can be made.

Sinaia is more than just a resort, it is history… The city is officially documented first time around year 1200. Its position, on the valley that connects Muntenia (the southern part of Romania) with Transylvania, made of Sinaia one important village from old times. The city's orthodox church is the oldest proof and one of the interesting places to visit.

The Sinaia Monastery, built in 1695 in a Brancoveanu style by Mihail Cantacuzino the Spatharus, houses religious objects, icons, rare books, pottery and porcelain ware from 16th-19th century. This is still a working monastery. Many of the monks living

here are quite old, wear traditional garb, and are quite happy to show you around and answer any questions you might have.

Peles Castle built by King Carol I as a summer royal residence, on Peles Valley, in 1883. The castle is considered by many one of the most beautiful castles in all Europe. It is built in German Renaissance style, with rococo, baroque and Moorish-Hyspanic elements. From 1914, the castle became a museum. In the communist regime, President Ceausescu closed Peles Castle for visitors. It is again open to the public and it is definitely a must-see.

Sinaia was also the summer residence of the great Romanian composer George Enescu. Villa Luminis is today the George Enescu Museum. Here young Yehudi Menuhin improved his talent of playing the violin, together with his teacher, in 1927.

Sinaia Casino was built after the model of Monte Carlo Casino, in 1921.

Bucegi Museum offers a complete image of all the flora and fauna from Bucegi Mountains

From Sinaia, the winding road takes you through Poiana Tapului to Busteni, another Prahova Valley resort. Here you can take the Busteni-Babele cable car to reach a plateau on the Bucegi Mountains. A huge block of stone, shaped like a human skull, with deep orbits and mysterious smile, called "Sphinxul" and a cluster of gigantic stone "mushrooms", nicknamed "Babele"- The Old Ladies, can be seen here.

Festivals

Classic guitar contest, every year
The Autumn Festival - "Sinaia Forever", every September
The Winter Festival, every January
Violin Competition

Due to its location, many destinations can be easily reached from Sinaia. Brasov, an important city of Transylvania, still maintaining its medieval atmosphere along with the modern one can be visited. Also Bran Castle which is considered to be Dracula's castle is just 60km away. The Rasnov fortress is the oldest fortress in Brasov area.