luxury house for sale Cheia, Romania

Located right at the feet of Ciucaș Massif and surrounded by the stunning landscapes of the Balaban, Babeș and Zăganului mountains, the small depression of Cheia offers an exquisite painting of meadows, shady forests and clear waters. Initially developed as a small settlement around Cheia Monastery, Cheia Mountain Resort gradually increased due to the expansion of logging. The name Cheia and Cheița actually reflect the narrow aspect of the steep-walled valleys. In the middle of the resort, on the bank of Teleajen river is situated the Villa with Birch Trees, with its large garden, in terraces, decorated with statues of Roman inspiration, from the 19th century. The building is composed of 3 distinct units, with different height regimes, built in a traditional stylistic manner, specific to the mountain area. The interiors are richly decorated with art and collectibles, from hunting trophies and popular objects, to traditional ceramics and works of art. The construction was completed in the late 1970s, with improvements done up to 1990. The Villa with Birch Trees can function both as a residence or a multi-family holiday house, as well as a tourist accommodation unit, following a conversion project. The property is located in the heart of the many birch forests with mountain flowers that unfold during the spring an idyllic landscape, while in autumn, in the mountain valleys, the spruce trees portray marvelous autumnal paintings through their rusty crowns. The main tourist attractions in Cheia and its surroundings are: Cheia Monastery, built between 1835-1839 by two shepherds from Săliștea Sibiului; The Mine Flowers Museum, which houses a valuable collection of 170 pieces with a wide variety of shapes and colors; The Francisc Rainer Museum of Anthropology, the former holiday home of the great scientist, founder of Romanian anthropology, the Suzana Monastery, founded by Suzana Arsicu in 1770, along with the numerous mountain trails in the Ciucaș Mountains. A fairytale house, in a dream location... would be the perfect description for the Villa with Birch Trees. Recently, a 429 sqm plot of land was added to the property in addition to the beautiful existing garden of 1,416 sq m. Sources: Maria Rodica Niculescu, Masivul Ciucaș: ghid turistic, Munții Noștri Collection, Bucharest: Sport-Tourism Publishing, 1986 tvr.ro, Cheia, o stațiune cu potențial turistic editiadedimineata.ro, Descoperă România. Stațiunea Cheia, locul perfect pentru iubitorii de natură

The history of the Predeal Resort is undeniably linked to the Romanian Principalities’ modernization process; the city became well-known when the railway line was drawn up by means of the Convention between Romania and Austria-Hungary, dated 31st of May 1874. The Predeal Station, located on the railway line connecting Ploiești and Brașov, was to become the turning point in the settlement’s development, and set off the first steps towards a prosperous period in terms of industry and tourism. The villa, built in the second half of the 1920s in Cioplea, the city’s area known for sports and tourism-related activities, was one of the first recreational buildings constructed in the area, and subsequently became the winter residence of Professor Teodor Vasilescu. It later on became the property of the Ploiești school committee (1937), which was the last owner before the communists came to power. Built in a traditional style, similar to that of front porch houses in the Wallachian region, the “Ceaușescu” villa got this nickname because it was used by Nicolae Ceaușescu between 1950 and 1958, when the residence was administered by the Ministry of Armed Forces. At that time, Nicolae Ceaușescu, an army major general, had the functions of Deputy Minister at the Ministry of National Defense, and Head of the Army’s Superior Political Department. This villa thus became Ceaușescu’s first protocol residence in Predeal before he took full control of the country. After 1965, the protocol villa’s supervision was transferred from the Ministry of Defence, and started being managed by the Recreation Department, in the same year when Ceaușescu became general secretary of the Communist Party.

Within this ski-in/ski-out type of property, the mountain enthusiasts could discover a luxury estate, suitable as a corporate destination, as well as a family place, not only as an accommodation facility, but as a cozy comfortable destination where to enjoy the popular resort of Predeal. One of the rare mountain properties beautifully appointed at a high standard, the residence consists into 5 apartments, as well a multifunctional spaces for leisure. The size of the property, as well as the layouts grants a versatile character to the estate, so that the touristic, business function could entwine with the residence function. Also, an aspect that is less covered by the properties available, it is represented by the meticulously appointed top-notch finishings and amenities, so that the property is ready for the immediate use. Each of the 5 apartments has generous spaces, with living, dining areas, bedrooms with relaxing views towards the mountain peaks, as well as practical kitchen areas. The top quality finishings, the fireplaces from each living area add up to the warm and cozy ambiance in harmony with the natural setting that reveals through the large glass areas. Besides the apartments, the estate includes ample spaces for leisure: restaurant, relaxing areas, bar, children playground, sauna, as well as a generous garden with gazebo and barbecue area.

Without a doubt, Predeal is one of the most attractive mountain resort from Romania, its history being usually compared with the ones of Sinaia. Frontier locality by 1918, and major railway route at the end of the XIXth century, Predeal was about to become in the interwar period, an important touristic hub, attracting along with Sinaia, the new social strata - sportsmen, lawyers, doctors, professional military. During this modernisation period, many of the villas were erected in the famous neighbourhood Cioplea that was becoming even from the 30’s a true touristic-sport quarter - the first installation of a trampoline (1933), the first tele-ski from the country (1934). The Gen. Cartianu Villa was built in 1937, four houses down the road from ”Căprioara” Villa, the famous holiday home of Marshal Ion Antonescu, the superior of General Cartianu. The residence has been planned with the character of a holiday house, its distinct appearance being enhanced by the used materials - the wood and the wooden crafted elements, river stones and the extraordinary roof.