Prince of Wales turns 200-year old Romanian property into new guesthouse in Valea Zalanului
“Upstairs in the main room is a small mezzanine with some armchairs, and a curious little internal balcony with a comfortable chair looking over a view of the forest outside. They told us that the Prince of Wales likes to sit in this chair and contemplate the incredible landscape. They say he really likes Romania, the food, the village life and it's biodiversity – and that he wants to help generate local employment,” said Rupert Wolfe Murray, PR consultant and keen supporter of the project.
The Prince of Wales employs three people on the actual house: a manager, as well as a cook and cleaner. The Prince's next project is to renovate the neighboring house. The plan is “to produce more of the food on-site and to manage the property in a way that will both preserve and increase the rich biodiversity of the area,” said Count Kalnoky.
The Prince Charles of Wales bought two properties in rural Romania in 2006 through the Mihai Eminescu Trust, restored them and turned them into guesthouses. The property at Viscri is one of the best know. The Mihai Eminescu Trust lists on its website several villages in Transylvania where it undergoes activities: Viscri, Malancrav, Floresti, Crit, Biertan,
Corina Saceanu, corina@romania-insider.com