Cantacuzino Castle (Friend)
Cantacuzino Castle was built between 1901 and 1911 as the summer residence of Prince Gheorghe Grigore Cantacuzino, one of the most influential Romanian politicians of his time, a descendant of the old Byzantine emperors and Romanian rulers. He was nicknamed “The Nabob” due to his impressive wealth and was known as a strong supporter of arts and culture.
The 60,000 square meters castle park is one of the most beloved touristic locations in Prahova Valley, Romania. The edifice, together with its large park and café with terrace offer a unique combination of history, architecture and design, as well as nature and a breathtaking panorama, which attracts more than 200,000 visitors every year.
The Cantacuzino Castle has a great architectural, historical, documentary and artistic value. Built in neo-Romanian style with neo-Brâncovenesc elements by the famous Romanian architect Grigore Cerchez (1850-1927), this castle is today one-of-a-kind in Romania.
The over 3400 sqm large edifice built from carved stone, coated inside with bricks and tiles with specific models, is surrounded by a magnificent courtyard with stone-paved alleys that incorporates various landscape planning elements, such as fountains and an anthropogenic cave, similar to great European royal parks. The atmosphere inside the castle has a pronounced romantic character, offered by the rich details and numerous bespoke ornaments, crafted by the great artisans of the time. The Ballroom hosts natural sized wall paintings made on Cordoba leather, representing twelve of the most important members of the Cantacuzino family, as well as a unique collection of heraldry in Romania, showcasing painted blazons of the noble families related to the Cantacuzinos. Walking around the rooms inside, you will find a glimpse into the forgotten world of the old Romanian nobility.
Apart from its graceful blend of rare architectural and design elements and surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains on both sides, Cantacuzino Castle offers a rich experience to tis visitors. At the first floor, guests will find an Art Gallery that hosts a splendid mix of temporary exhibitions. Over the years, visitors have had the chance to discover here, among others, art works by Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Vincent van Gogh, Henri Matisse, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Salvadori Dali, Francisco de Goya, as well as contemporary art pieces by local and international artists.
After a tour of the Castle and its Art Gallery or a troll in the park, visitors can stop on the high-altitude terrace to admire the splendid panorama next to a cup of tea or coffee, or they can step back inside to enjoy the elegant and comfortable atmosphere – all, offered by Canta Cuisine Café & Restaurant. Opened 365 days a year, Canta Cuisine offers exquisite French dishes with international influences, exquisite coffee and desserts and a cellar full of some of the best European wines. Run by Executive Chefs with international experience, Canta Cuisine manages to majestically combine French cuisine, Italian coffee and excellent wines with the authentic spirit of the over one century-old Cantacuzino Castle.
For those who wish to get a full experience of the Castle, accommodation is available inside the Cantacuzino Castle and at the Hunter’s Lodge, located in the park, only a few meters away from the castle. Special trips on the domain, picnics at the top of the mountain, truffle hunting trips and all sorts of year-round activities are available for the guests, subject to seasonality and other conditions. During the summer, the Castle’s Adventure Park caters to all desires for some fun and adrenalin.
Canta Cuisine Café & Restaurant is located inside the castle, at 1000m altitude, using the historic kitchen, wine cellars, and dining rooms of the edifice as a testament to good taste, fine art, and delightful wine, in an attempt to preserve the memory of the great Cantacuzino family and Romanian history. Here, guests can enjoy a variety of gastronomic dishes, splendid wines, and coffee, as well as exquisite desserts, in an atmosphere that combines the classical neo-Romanian and neo-brâncovenesc traditional architecture with the old days’ charm and the intricate beauty of the nature around. The café’s exterior terrace offers a breathtaking view over the mountains.
From the left: George Loverdos. HCR Route Manager, Kurt Neuschitzer CEO of Cantacuzino Castle Café Restaurant and Arnold Klingeis, HCR Ambassador in Romania
A series of cultural events, such as classical music soirées and concerts, art exhibitions, symposiums, and workshops are organized throughout the year, gathering specialists and enthusiasts from all over the world to celebrate the great heritage of the place and promote cultural diversity and art.
Due to its special charm, the place has hosted, over time, several international productions (films, series, TV commercials, music videos, etc.). In 2021, Tim Burton chose the castle as one of the main filming locations for the “Wednesday” mini-series. The building’s exterior and its park were portrayed as the Nevermore Academy.
Located in the Carpathian Mountains, Cantacuzino Castle sets the scene for many of the exterior and aerial shots at Nevermore Academy. Production designer Mark Scruton’s vision for Nevermore was a New England gothic mansion with inspiration from the architecture of Romania’s capital Bucharest. He describes the city as “this huge, eclectic pile of architecture with Renaissance and Ottoman influences coming up through Transylvania,” according to a press brief. Special effects were used to build upon the roof design, making it resemble the roof of the iconic Addams family mansion. The mix of styles is meant to reflect the school’s status as a safe place for all types of outcasts.
Cantacouzino‘s Café hosts frequently exhibitions at the Castle. Artistic works by famous artists, such as Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Vincent van Gogh, Henri Matisse, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Francisco de Goya, Katsushika Hokusai, Keisai Eisen, but also contemporary art exhibitions with works by local and international artists, including a sculpture exhibition to celebrate the Centenary of the Great Union, which brought together 100 Romanian sculptors have been presented at Cantacouzino Castle.
Bușteni - Romania
Cantacuzino Castle (Friend)
Strada Zamorei 1,
Bușteni 105500, Romania
Tel: +40244320520
Info: office@cantacuzinocastle.ro
Website: www.cantacuzinocastle.com
Facebook: Cantacuzino Castle
Instagram: cantacuzinocastle
