We're spending 2 nights in Bled so we have one whole day to see the sights. After a mediocre breakfast, according to Johanna, we got the bikes and rode the trail around the lake before the busses and the hordes arrived. The lake is about one tenth the size of Whiskeytown Lake so that didn't take too long. It was a 6km ride but we got to see different perspectives of the 2 most famous sites at Bled, the Bled Castle and the Church of the Assumption on an island in the lake.
The castle was first written about in 1004 when Henry the second gave the land to the Bishops of Brixen. It passed to the Hapsburgs in 1278. In 1511 the castle was heavily damaged by an earthquake and the restoration is what is seen today with some touch ups along the way.
As for the Church The first masonry church was consecrated by Pellegrino in 1142 in a romanesque style. In the 15th century it was rebuilt in the Gothic style but in 1511 was badly damaged by an earthquake. It was rebuilt in the Baroque style. The present church dates to the 17th century after another earthquake damaged it. Legend has it that the temple to the ancient slavic goddess Ziva stood where the Baroque now stands. Habitation of the island dates back to the 11th century BC.
One thing Johanna wanted to do was take a ride in a Pletna, one the classic boats of Lake Bled. So after the bike ride we boarded a pletna along with 14 other people for a ride to the island. They only take full boatloads at 12 euros/person. The rower takes us out to the island where you get off and then walk up to the Church. We have half and hour and then back to the dock. After the boat ride we adjourned to a cafe for tea and a creamschnitte.
After I hiked up to the castle while Mac took a nap. It was quite climb up first on steep trail than hundreds of steps.But it was well worth it. The exhibits were very interesting specially the finds going back to the iron .age.I spent a good two hours looking and reading. There are great views of the lake from up here,but the surrounding mountains were socked in. Later in the evening we had a good dinner dining outside under canopies in the rain.
Bled Castle after dark |
Church of the Assumption on the island in the middle of Lake Bled |
Church and Bled Castle |
Our boatman. He didn't say word on the trip over or back. I don't know if any of them had a speech or interacted with the guests |
Church and tower on the Island |
Bled castle from the island |
2 pletna coming from the campground at the other end of the lake |
Creamschnitte after our boat ride |
Shot of the lake from the Bled Castle |
Bled castle courtyard |
Bled Castle |
Bled Castle courtyard |
Church on the way down from the castle. |
Altar of the above church |
Thanks for the history lesson, Mac but I think I'm going to need a personal tour to take it all in! You guys are sure having the trip of a lifetime!
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