Cantacuzino Castle in Busteni: history, "Wednesday" and how to get there

On a hill in Busteni, facing the sheer walls of the Bucegi mountains, stands one of the most elegant castles in Romania. Cantacuzino Castle is less well known than Peles, but it has become famous in recent years thanks to a Netflix series. It is about 106 kilometres from Gherghita.

A short history

The castle was built in 1911 for Prince Gheorghe Grigore Cantacuzino, nicknamed "the Nabob" for his enormous wealth. He had been Prime Minister of Romania and Mayor of Bucharest. The design was by architect Grigore Cerchez, who chose the Neo-Romanian style: arcades, carved stone columns, decoration inspired by Brancovan architecture and a tower that dominates the garden.

The prince enjoyed his new residence only briefly: he died in 1913. The castle stayed in the family until after the Second World War, when it was nationalised by the communist regime and used by state institutions. After 1990 it was returned to the heirs, restored and opened to the public in 2010.

The castle from "Wednesday"

In 2022 Cantacuzino Castle became known around the world: some scenes of the Netflix series "Wednesday" were filmed here, with the castle playing Nevermore Academy. Since then many visitors come especially to see the facade and courtyards from the series.

What you can see

• The castle interiors: the hall with wood carvings, the hall of honour and the rooms displaying paintings and furniture
• The Cantacuzino coats of arms, on the facades and inside
• The castle park, with artificial waterfalls, a grotto and paths laid out on the hillside
• The terrace with a view of the Bucegi: Caraiman and Costila are seen here in all their splendour, especially at sunset
• The cafe and restaurant on site, good for a break between visits

The castle regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, concerts and events. Check the opening hours and prices on the official website before you go.

How to get there from Dracula Land

The distance from Gherghita to Cantacuzino Castle is about 106 km, roughly an hour and 45 minutes.

• take the A3 to Ploiesti, then the DN1 through the Prahova Valley, via Sinaia, to Busteni
• in Busteni follow the signs to the castle; the access road climbs the hill on the northern side of town
• the castle has its own car park, but it fills up quickly at weekends

Combine the trip

Busteni is an excellent base. On the same day you can take the cable car up to Babele and the Caraiman Cross, or see Urlatoarea Waterfall on an easy trail from town. If you have more time, Sinaia and Peles are only 10 km away.

More about the Cantacuzino family

The Cantacuzinos were one of the most important boyar families of Wallachia, with rulers, scholars and politicians over the centuries. Gheorghe Grigore Cantacuzino left behind other famous buildings too, including the palace on Calea Victoriei in Bucharest, which today houses the George Enescu National Museum. The castle in Busteni was designed as a summer residence, far from the bustle of the capital, with a view few houses in Romania can match.

When to go and how much time to allow

The castle is open all year. In summer and autumn the terrace and park are at their best, and on clear days Caraiman is seen in all its splendour. In winter, with the Bucegi covered in snow, the view is just as impressive. For the interiors, the park and a coffee on the terrace, allow about two hours.

One-day itinerary in Busteni

• 08:30 – leave Gherghita
• 10:15 – Cantacuzino Castle: interiors, park and terrace
• 12:30 – lunch in Busteni
• 14:00 – the easy trail to Urlatoarea Waterfall, about an hour's walk from one end of town
• 16:30 – optionally, a stop in Sinaia, 10 km away
• 18:30 – drive back to Gherghita

With children

The castle park, with its paths, waterfalls and grotto, is popular with children, and fans of "Wednesday" recognise the facade straight away. The paths run along the hillside, so some sections can be harder with a pushchair. The interiors are visited at a relaxed pace.

The Neo-Romanian style, in brief

Cantacuzino Castle is a fine example of Neo-Romanian architecture, the style born at the end of the 19th century from the ideas of architect Ion Mincu. Architects of this movement sought a national style inspired by old Romanian monasteries and manor houses, especially from the Brancovan period. You can recognise it by a few features:

• arcades and columns with carved stone capitals
• loggias and open galleries, facing the garden or the view
• floral decoration and geometric motifs carved in stone or wood
• tall roofs with wide eaves, and towers that complete the building's silhouette

In Busteni all these elements are set off by the natural surroundings: the castle seems to have been built for the view.

Where to stay

For a quiet evening after a day in the Prahova Valley, choose accommodation in Gherghita, close to the future park. See accommodation near Dracula Land.