History

Cabana Paltinu was initially conceived and built as a hunting lodge, originally named Villa Paltinu.

The villa was constructed alongside the Transfăgărășan National Road, at the explicit desire of the former President of Romania, Nicolae Ceaușescu, who wished to have a personal location for hunting black goats.

The villa was erected by the Carpaţi Trust

An elite construction unit during the communist period, and was completed in 1972, two years before the Transfăgărășan was opened for use.

Bâlea Cascadă to Bâlea Lac

Several alterations occurred to the original form of the villa until 1990, largely driven by Nicolae Ceaușescu's desire for adequate comfort and damage caused by extreme weather phenomena. In 1974, a storm left the villa roofless, with the entirety of it thrown into Lake Bâlea. Since then, it was decided to anchor the roof to the building's structure. In 1988, electricity from the national grid was introduced, with the double line from Bâlea Cascadă to Bâlea Lac being completed in about 6 months. This was due to Ceaușescu's annoyance when, after a hunting trip in 1987, the generator supplying electricity to the Cabana Paltinu struggled to start.

The presidential suite

Nicolae Ceaușescu often participated in black goat hunts in the Bâlea Lac area, last doing so in the autumn of 1989. He resided in apartment number 1, while Elena Ceaușescu stayed in room number 2. The presidential suite can still be visited today, as our wish is to preserve it as much as possible. The former president's bed, bedside tables, carpet, wardrobes, TV stand, corner sofa, table, armchairs, curtains, lamps, and the card-playing table are still kept. During that time, a helipad was also installed nearby, frequently used during that period.

After the events of December 1989,

During which it was partially damaged, the villa passed to the former County Tourism Office and, since 1991, has been owned by S.C. Bâlea Turism S.A. Sibiu.

In 2007-2008, the Paltinu villa was expanded and modernized into its current form as part of a comprehensive project, with essential contributions from Bâlea Turism S.A.

Following the works carried out over three months in 2007 and four months in 2008, through modernizations, expansions, and equipment upgrades, the villa was classified as a three-star tourist cabin, successfully blending rustic and modern elements while retaining the essential features of an alpine cabin dominated by stone and wood.

We eagerly await your visit and assure you of our full assistance in ensuring a successful stay!

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