SINAIA, town in SE central Romania (Prahova county), situated upstream the river Prahova, at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains (Southern Carpathians), elevation 798-971 m, 62 km NW of the municipality of Ploiesti (seat of Prahova county) and 121 km (79 mi) NW of Romania's capital (Bucharest); population 15,730 (July 1, 1991). Railway station.

Sinaia is one of the most important resorts of the country, providing the most important resorts of the country, providing the best conditions for holidays and treatment, in all seasons, to people of all ages. It has a sub-Alpine mountain-corridor climate with cool summers (July average temperature 14-16°C) and winters that are not too cold due to the mountains sheltering the resort (January average temperature -3.5°C). The annual average temperature is of about 6.5°C and the precipitation averages 800 - 1,000 mm annually. In winter there is plenty of snow, the snow blanket persisting from the end of September till the end of March.

Boasting excellent natural cure factors (tonic-stimulant) climate characterized by low atmospheric pressure - 687 mm mercury column, and a marked ionization of the atmosphere, clean air free of dust and allergens, rich in ozone and ultraviolet radiations, sulphurous, bicarbonated, calcium, magnesium, oligomineral waters), the resort of Sinaia, styled "The Pearl of the Carpathians", provides excellent conditions for the treatment of asthenic neurosis, disorders of the

alimentary canal (chronic hypoacid gastritis), hepatobiliary (biliary dyskinesis, chronic cholecystitis, sequelae after operations on the liver), endocrine (benign hyperthyroidism and Basedow's disease, after endocrinological treatment), respiratory (respiratory neurosis) and other diseases, as well as for rest and recovery of work potential.
People interested in such treatments can call at the Polyclinic in the resort of ask for the services offered by specialized medical staff at the Paltinis Hotel which is endowed with facilities for aerosols and inhalations, electro-, hydrotermo- and kinetotherapy, medical gyms and fountains for internal cures of mineral water, etc.

Sinaia has scores of ultramodern hotels (Alpin, Palace, Sinaia, Montana, Paltinis, Cota 1400, etc.), many comfortable villas, private homes that offer accommodation to tourists, inns and tourist stopover places, chalets. For amateurs of winter sports there are a bobsledding run (1,500 m long, with 13 turns and a 132 m elevation difference), many ski runs of various difficulty degrees, sledding runs, ropeways (cab, rope chair, ski lift, baby lift); for swimmers (and sauna fans) there are pools at the Montana and Sinaia hotels. Many sports grounds and theatres for films and other shows.

Prior to World War Il and the abdication of the royal family, Sinaia was a summer retreat for Romania's aristocracy. A walk up the mountainside reveals many grand summer homes from this period. The first point of importance to be encountered is the Sinaia Monastery. This is still a working monastery, with buildings dating to 1695. 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. Most of them speak German as well as Romanian.

Just up the hill from Sinaia Monastery is Peles Palace. This is one of the best-preserved royal palaces in Europe. It served as the summer residence of the first Hohenzollern king of Romania, Carol I. Built in the latter half of the 19th century, it was the king's attempt to imitate the styles of his former homeland, creating a Bavarian setting in the mountains of Romania. The palace is ornately decorated, inside and out, with intricate wood carvings and paintings of scenes form Wagner operas. Tours in English are available upon request.

The Pelisor lies just above Peles Palace. This was the summer home of the second Hohenzollern king, Ferdinand. Though not as grand as the Peles Palace, Pelisor offered a more comfortable and less formal setting. Tours are available in English.
Beyond the Pelisor lies another palace built by the late dictator Ceausescu. It is Spanish in style and was created as an attempt to place him above the royal family. It is not possible to tour the palace, but it is interesting to view and then hike the mountain path that begins just beyond, which vas created as a private path for Ceausescu.

In the center of Sinaia, just south of the Hotel Montana, is the teleferic. Here, from 8 to 4 each day, you may ride a cable car to the top of the mountain. Once there, you can look out over the entire countryside, taking in the grandeur of the Transylvanian Alps. You can take the cable car back down, or it is also possible to hike down the approximately two-hour trail.
Opportunities for trips to the chalets in the Bucegi Mountains (Cota 1500, Virful cu Dor - elevation 2,000 m, Cuibul Dorului - 1,200 m, Babele - 2,206 m, Omu - 2,505 m, Padina - 1,525 m, Piatra Arsa - 1,950 m, Pestera - 1,600 m, Piscul Ciinelui - 950 m, etc).
Historical monuments: the Sinaia Monastery, founded in 1690 - 1695 by Spatharus Mihail Cantacuzino, attached to which there is also a museum of Romanian religious art; the Peles Castle, built over 1875 - 1883 in the style of the German Renaissance, with Gothic elements.