Why Does Prince Charles Love Transylvania?

One may legitimately wonder why does Prince Charles come so often to Romania, why did he buy and restore houses in Transylvania, and why does he repeatedly speak so highly of Romania and its people.

Tour in Transylvania

On my November trip around Transylvania, I stopped in two special locations: Miclosoara and Valea Zalanului. Just 30km apart from each other, both locations are located in the Hungarian speaking region of Romania, the Eastern part of Transylvania. They are both residences of the Kalnoky family and have been recently restored to look and feel like they used to many centuries ago.

The house in Valea Zalanului belongs to his HRH Prince Charles. Naturally, I was curious to discover it myself. After a beautiful drive through the Transylvanian hills, I took right in Aita Mare; shortly after I left modernity and its asphalt road behind. Driving slowly on the road I cannot but look around and admire the hill sides covered by trees here and there bathing in the rays of the November sun. I finally get to the crossroad where I know I have to turn left and keep driving past the charcoal makers.

The Royal Residence in Valea Zalanului

When I finally reach Valea Zalanului I drive towards the end of the village and get to the royal residence. I think to myself: “So this is where he comes!”. I clash with the room, its design and decoration: I wear jeans and a long winter jacket while the room is prepared to welcome a princess or at least someone wearing a long medieval dress and with her hair up. I am instantly charmed and I get it. I know why Prince Charles loves this place: it’s like an honest hand shake from a man you respect and admire, it’s genuine, real.

This is the property HRH Prince Charles visits every year in Transylvania.

I leave my bags behind and decide to resist the temptation to sleep and join the hosts in the living room. Sitting by the burning fire with a hot cup of coffee in my hands I look around and wonder about the stories the walls around me could tell if they had a voice. No worry seems relevant, time does not exist, the “real” world is a faraway land and then I get it even more. This place is as close as we seldom get to feel what eternity is. All else becomes irrelevant but the sensation of being present in the moment.

Transylvania is timeless!

I know why Prince Charles loves Transylvania: he finds it timeless, in Transylvania he feels how immeasurable eternity and life is. That’s my bet at least.

PS: As I left Valea Zalanului on a crisp November morning, I caught this magnificent view of Transylvania from above.