Lake Bled

Lake Bled is one of the most photographed places in the Alps: in its centre lies Slovenia's only natural island with the pilgrimage church of the Assumption, and high above the shore stands Bled Castle. Traditional pletna rowing boats bring visitors to the island, where 99 steps lead up to the church. The Bled cream cake is also famous.

Highlights

• Island with pilgrimage church (99 steps)
• Bled Castle on the rock above the lake
• Traditional pletna rowing boats
• Bled cream cake (Kremšnita)

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Background & History

Lake Bled is regarded as one of the most beautiful lakes of the Julian Alps and is famous for its small island, which is considered the only natural island in Slovenia. On it stands a pilgrimage church, whose roots reach far back and on whose site a pre-Christian sanctuary is supposed once to have stood. To this day pilgrims and bridal couples have themselves rowed to the island in the traditional, flat Pletna boats, where the sound of the “wishing bell” keeps old customs alive. According to legend, whoever rings the bell and at the same time speaks a sincere prayer shall have a wish fulfilled, a custom that has been passed on for generations.

Above the lake, on a steep rock, thrones Bled Castle, which is regarded as one of the oldest castles in Slovenia and was first mentioned in documents in the 11th century. From its walls the view reaches across the emerald-green water to the peaks of the Triglav massif. In the 19th century the Swiss naturopath Arnold Rikli made the place widely known as a health resort and, with his light and air cures, laid the foundation for tourism. Later the Yugoslav head of state Tito too chose Bled as one of his summer residences, which lent the lake additional political lustre and international attention.