Carol I of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, born on April 10, 1839, in Sigmaringen, Germany, was the personality who would definitively shape the destiny of modern Romania. The second son of Prince Karl Anton and Princess Josephine of Baden, young Karl Eitel Friedrich Zephyrinus Ludwig came from a prestigious dynastic family, related to the Royal House of Prussia and to many other ruling families of Europe. His education was rigorous, in the German spirit, based on discipline, solid general culture, and a strong sense of duty.

Youth and education of a European prince

After finishing his elementary studies, Carol attended the Cadet School in Münster and then the Artillery School in Berlin, graduating in 1857 with the rank of lieutenant.

 His early military experience was perfected in the Prussian army, where he participated in significant campaigns such as the Schleswig War, acquiring skills that would later prove invaluable during Romania’s War of Independence. 

At the same time, his theoretical studies at the University of Bonn, where he deepened his knowledge of history and French literature, broadened his cultural horizon and offered him a European perspective on modern governance.

Through his family, Carol was related to Emperor Napoleon III of France, a fact that would play a crucial role in his selection as ruler of the United Principalities. At a time when Romania was under strong French influence, Napoleon III’s recommendation represented a prestigious guarantee for the Romanian political elite.

Election as ruler and the beginnings of a providential reign

After the forced abdication of Alexandru Ioan Cuza in 1866, Romania needed a foreign sovereign, neutral in relation to domestic political factions, capable of ensuring stability and inspiring confidence among the European powers. 

After Prince Philippe of Flanders declined the offer, Romanian politicians turned to young Carol of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. The plebiscite of April 1866 confirmed the will of the people: 685,869 votes in favor and only 224 against. Thus, Romania found a leader with a modern vision, capable of transforming ideals of freedom and progress into reality.

Carol’s journey to Romania was, however, a true adventure. Traveling through Austria under a false identity, with a Swiss passport, he risked being discovered and arrested at every step. Arriving in Bucharest on May 10, 1866, the young prince was greeted with popular enthusiasm. 

At the Metropolitan Cathedral, upon taking the oath of allegiance, he uttered the words that would become symbolic of his reign: “By setting foot on this land, I have become Romanian!”

From the very beginning, Carol sought to establish a stable constitutional regime in the country. The Constitution promulgated on July 1, 1866, inspired by the Belgian model, represented the cornerstone of the modern Romanian state. 

It guaranteed fundamental rights and freedoms, proclaimed the separation of powers, and introduced the principle of hereditary monarchy. Romania thus became a constitutional monarchy, recognized in Europe as a state with modern and sovereign institutions.

Strengthening the state and the crises of the beginning

The first years of his reign were not without tension. The newly formed political parties were locked in fierce disputes, and the ruler had to demonstrate both firmness and patience. Despite conspiracies, such as the “Republic of Ploiești” in 1870, and anti-dynastic uprisings, Carol refused to abdicate. On the contrary, he gradually consolidated state institutions, imposed order and discipline, supported infrastructure development, and modernized the army.

Through his strict temperament and sense of duty, he managed to earn the respect even of his political adversaries. Domestically, Carol supported the development of education, culture, and administration, laying the foundations of a modern Romania. In foreign affairs, he persistently pursued the full recognition of national sovereignty.

The road to Independence: vision, courage, and sacrifice

The most glorious period of Carol I’s reign was, without a doubt, the War of Independence of 1877–1878. In the context of the Russo-Turkish War, Romania, under the ruler’s leadership, signed a convention with Russia, allowing the Tsar’s army to cross Romanian territory. In return, Russia pledged to respect the country’s integrity.

On May 9, 1877, Foreign Minister Mihail Kogălniceanu proclaimed Romania’s independence in the Chamber of Deputies, and on May 10, Carol I officially sanctioned it. From that day onward, May 10 became the symbolic date of modern Romania—the day of monarchy and independence.

Romania entered the war alongside Russia, and the ruler took command of the joint Russo-Romanian forces in the Balkans. Under his leadership, the Romanian army fought heroically at Grivița, Rahova, and Plevna. His words to the soldiers after the victory at Plevna remain emblematic: “The book of the ages will preserve, on its indelible pages, the record of these deeds alongside your names.”

Through the sacrifice of over 10,000 Romanian soldiers, Romania’s independence was internationally recognized at the Congress of Berlin in 1878, even though the Great Powers imposed harsh conditions, such as the cession of southern Bessarabia. 

In exchange, Romania received Dobruja, the Danube Delta, and Snake Island—territories that opened a new stage in the country’s economic and strategic development.

The proclamation of the Kingdom and the age of modernization

After the recognition of independence, Romania consolidated its position in Europe. In 1881, Parliament proclaimed Romania a kingdom, and Carol I was crowned king on May 10, together with his wife, Queen Elisabeth. 

The Steel Crown, forged from the metal of a Turkish cannon captured at Plevna, symbolized the power, dignity, and sacrifice of the Romanian people. In his speech, Carol declared: “I accept this crown as a symbol of Romania’s independence and strength.”

His reign as king was the longest in Romanian history, 48 years of stability and progress. Under his rule, the country was modernized in every field: railways were built, a national industry was developed, the army was reformed, education was encouraged, and culture was promoted. 

Carol I acted as an arbiter of political life, maintaining balance between liberals and conservatives, and promoting the principle of alternation in government.

The dynasty and continuity: between duty and destiny

Despite his accomplishments, King Carol I’s personal life was marked by tragedy. Married to Princess Elisabeth of Wied in 1869, he lost their only child, Princess Maria, at just four years old. The event deeply affected both sovereigns, and the lack of a direct heir raised the question of succession.

According to the Constitution, the throne was to pass to the closest male relative of the Hohenzollern family. After his brother Leopold declined, Carol designated his nephew Ferdinand as heir to the Romanian Crown. Prince Ferdinand would later become a national symbol himself, leading Romania toward the Great Union of 1918.

Queen Elisabeth, a cultured and sensitive figure known in European literature under the pseudonym Carmen Sylva, also contributed to elevating the country’s cultural level. She supported writers, artists, and educational institutions, and under her patronage schools, hospitals, and charities were founded—strengthening the monarchy’s image as a moral and social pillar.

The legacy of Carol I: founder of modern Romania

The reign of Carol I represented, without a doubt, an era of fundamental transformation. From an agrarian and poorly organized country, Romania became under his rule a modern state, with democratic institutions, a strong army, a growing economy, and a respected position in Europe.

Politically, Carol imposed discipline and respect for the law, consolidating the constitutional regime. Economically, he promoted the construction of railways, ports, and public buildings, laying the foundations of modern infrastructure. In culture and education, he encouraged the creation of universities and academic institutions, being himself an honorary member and president of the Romanian Academy since 1867.

In foreign affairs, Carol I was the architect of Romania’s international recognition and independence. He cultivated balanced relations with the Great Powers without compromising national sovereignty. Through calm, reason, and patriotism, he managed to command respect and provide the country with unparalleled stability.

Conclusion: a symbol of national dignity

Carol I of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen was not only the first king of Romania but also the moral and political father of modern Romania. Through determination, discipline, and vision, he transformed a small and vulnerable country into a respected European kingdom. He was the man who forged independence, upheld the rule of law, and civilized a nation in the making.

When he passed away on September 27, 1914, at Peleș Castle in Sinaia, Carol I left behind a united, prosperous, and respected country. Rightly regarded by history as “the greatest statesman of Romania,” his name, inscribed on boulevards and monuments, continues to symbolize the dawn of Romanian modernity, the era when the Romanian people learned to live freely, with dignity and civilization.

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