Fun things to do in Bled

Only twenty kilometers separate these lakes, so different that no one should visit one without seeing the other. Which one is the most beautiful?

Well... I think that is a very... very difficult question. Just go and see, and decide for yourself.

Look closely at this building. Can you see what it has in common with the White House in Washington DC? This is the Villa Bled and it is built from the same marble as the White House, Island Braè From Dalmatia. The associations don't however stop there.

The Villa Bled, like the White House has also welcomed a huge number of world leaders because Marshall Josip Broz Tito, President for life of Yugoslavia, commandeered it in 1947 as a guest house for visiting dignitaries.

It sits high on the hill at the far side of the lake from the Castle and commands one of the most spectacular views in Slovenia.

Today it is a hotel. Look at the Accommodation tips for more info.

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The present baroque church dates from 1698. Well preserved frescoes depict scenes from the life of Virgin Mary. Ring the wishing bell, which was installed in the original Gothic church in 1534. According to local tradition, a husband who can carry his newly married bride the 99 steps up from the dock into the church will be ensured a happy marriage, and ringing the bell in the church will fulfill one of your wishes.

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Bled Island is the only natural island in the whole of Slovenia. The most important building on the island is the Assumption Church of Mary, built in the 15th century. Weddings are still held in this church. The church has a a stairway of 99 steps leading up to a 52m tower.

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The Blejski Grad or Castle of Bled was built on top of a 130 meter cliff overlooking lake Bled, located in Bled, Slovenia. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Slovenia.

The castle was first mentioned in 1.004 which makes it one of the oldest in Slovenia. The oldest part of the castle is the romanesque tower.

Note: Info taken from the net.

- Fax: (+386) (0)4 572 97 72

Many people, maybe all of them, go to Bled for the lake, so, i'll give you some facts.

The lake was formed after the recession of the Bohinj glacier. It is up to 2.120 m. long and up to 1.380 m. wide, its maximum depth being 30.6 m. and tectonic in origin. After the last Ice Age, the Bohinj glacier deepened the natural tectonic hollow and gave into its present form. The basin was filled with water when the ice melted. The lake has no large natural tributaries; it is fed only by a few springs.

Note: Info taken from the net.

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On Otok (the island in the middle of Lake Bled), the Church of the Assumption is the most prominent building. The church itself is rather small, but intricately decorated. The biggest draw inside for tourists is to ring the bell, which according to legend will cause any wish made to come true. Since I didn't turn into Tom Brady, I can only assume Sara did something wrong.

To get to the church, you must either take a pletna or rent a boat. It then costs an additional EUR 3 per person to explore the island.

No petrol motors allowed on this lake, take a gondola style visit to the only island in Slovenia, that in the centre of this lake with its monastery. These are very skilled rowers although you could take you're own rowing boat, see my next trip.