Friday, Sep 8th, Brasov, Romania

Greetings!

Today was a very early start to a long transit day.  It took us a couple of hours to get to the border of Bulgaria and Romania, but the crossing was smooth. Plenty of Bulgarians were headed north to exactly where we're going, and the traffic was heavy and slow.  Our challenge was to make it to the number one traveled spot - Brasov, in time to get the last inside tour of the Castle Peles.  The means if we didn't get there by 4:15pm, we'd be out of luck.

The castle is the home of the King of Romania (Carol I), and we entered a little after 4pm.  The King began his Romanian leadership by being recruited to assume the title of Prince Domnitor in 1866 while the country was in chaos after a military coup d'etat.  A Prussian officer,  the brother in law of Phillip of Flanders (whom those who threw out the previous leader preferred), and with the recommendation of Napolean III, Carol accepted the position.  A popular interim leader, he was elected King soon after he led the country forces in the 1877-78 Russo-Turkish War for Independence, and reigned until his death in 1914.

Leaving no male heirs, the leadership of the Country fell to his nephew (Ferdinand I), and then in 1927 to Ferdinand;'s son (Michael I) before the monarchy was abolished in Dec 1947.  The dynasty from which he came still claims the castle, it's contents are beautiful, and are well worth fighting over.  

To see all of the photos taken today, click on Friday, Sep 8th, Brasov, Romania 

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