Bled is a medieval town in northwestern Slovenia and one of the most beautiful places in the country. Although it has been there for centuries, the town only began to take shape in the 19th century, and today it has become an idyllic place.
Bled Castle is over 1,000 years old and still stands on a cliff overlooking the entire lake and the islet in the center of the lake, home to the Church of Mary's Pilgrimage. This town attracts tourists from abroad not only because of its stunning architecture and historical importance, but also because the pristine water makes it a famous health resort town.
If you want to travel there, first of all, you will come to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. It is also the largest city in Slovenia, and even so, it is still very small.
Ljubljana Castle dates back to the twelfth century, but the walls were erected only in the fifteenth century, and the castle belonged to the Habsburgs, who used it as a prison after losing their function as fortifications.
The record from Wikipedia: "In the fifteenth century, the castle was almost completely destroyed, and in the same century it was restored. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, other buildings appeared. The castle was a fortification against Turkish invasions and peasant uprisings. In the 17th and 18th centuries, there were arsenals and hospitals. It was destroyed again during the Napoleonic Wars, and after the Habsburgs regained power, it was used as a prison until 1905. In 1848, a watchtower was erected to detect fires in the city.
The dragon is the symbol of the city, and you will see the image of the dragon everywhere, above the bridges, on the graffiti walls, on the railings and buildings of the Ljubljana Castle.
The local symbol - Dragon Bridge. Legend has it that Ljubljana was founded by the Greek mythological heroes Jason and the Algonath. On his way home with the Golden Fleece, Jason encounters a dragon in what is now the Ljubljana swamp. He defeated and killed the dragon, which you can now see on the badge of Ljubljana.
The bridge was built in 1819 but was destroyed in an earthquake and replaced by austrian engineer Joseph Meylan, who designed it as one of the first reinforced concrete bridges in Europe. To reduce the economic burden, the bridge was not made of stone, but of steel and concrete.
There are many theories about how Ljubljana got its name. In Slavic, ljub means love or like, so Ljujana may mean the beloved city of Slovenia.
Ljubljana is a compact city full of tourists and citizens wandering around. In the heart of the city is Precellen Square, from where the pedestrian zone starts and Ljubljana Castle is clearly visible. Until the seventeenth century, it was named after the Virgin Mary, but in 1905 it was renamed in honor of Franz Preseren, a prominent figure in Slovenian poetry.
Place Preselen is the central square of Ljubljana, with the bright pink Franciscan Church of the Annunciation dominating the square.
The square was fitted with sculptures made for the poet by the famous sculptor Ivan Zajec, who showed the adult Preselen and the half-naked muse behind him, which at the time provoked protests from the Bishop of Ljubljana. However, the monument was loved by the citizens, and he still stood in the place chosen for him by the authorities.
The interior of the Franciscan church is decorated in a Baroque style and is amazed at the beauty and refinement. In the west wing of the monastery there is a famous library, which houses more than sixty thousand rare and priceless folios. In the collection of the library, there are also very old ancient prints.
The famous spot Miebashi. In 1842, the central bridge was built to replace the original medieval wooden bridge. About 90 years later, pedestrian bridges were built on both sides of the central bridge, forming the current triple bridge. The bridge connects Preselen Square with the historic center of Ljubljana. All three bridges are now for pedestrians only.
This well-known fountain was designed and made by italian engineers and the sculpture Francesco Roba.
Colorful buildings off the street
Ljubljana is a city of classical inclusion of modernity
Graffiti everywhere in the city
Along the streets along the Ljubljana River, cafes are everywhere. It is also the most touristy place.
Another block by the river is the historic pedestrian street with some of the best restaurants and boutiques in the area.
Having a drink with friends in the evening is the option of most tourists.
Roadside boutiques
Built in 2010, the Butcher's Bridge is Ljubljana's Lover's Bridge.
Not only will you see love locks on the bridge, but you will also see several unique statues.
Overlooking the city at Ljubljana Castle, you can also play the unique castle escape game here for 13 euros for adults and a 10% discount on online tickets.
The next day, let's head to the small town of Bled! Ljubljana is a 45-minute drive away and in and out of the area can be congested during the summer months, so it is recommended that you leave in the morning. Because you can basically visit there in one day. Of course, there are also buses that go there.
The small town of Bled is located on the shores of Lake Bled on the banks of the Alps, the most famous holiday destination in Slovenia. Looking at the past from a distance, it is like a "fairyland" and is known as the "Eye of Europe".
Lake Bled is located in the southern foothills of the Alps in northwestern Slovenia, and the meltwater from the snow at the top of the Julian Alps is constantly injected into the lake, so it is called "glacial lake". When the 178-kilogram bell is struck a few times in the church of Huxin Island in the middle of the quiet lake, God seems to hear his heart.
The fairytale Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption is located in the middle of the lake. As beautiful as the lake may seem, you're not in a museum, so jump in and swim – this is not an example of something you can only see and don't touch.
In 1855, a Swiss water sportsman, Arnold Rickley, came to the town and made it famous throughout Europe. Rikley created a sanatorium here, harnessing alternative treatments for the region's clean air and wholesome water, and by the early 20th century Bled had become a popular location for discerning European elites.
Later, the Yugoslav royal family fell in love with this place, and after World War II, former Yugoslav President Tito built his presidential residence here. If you want to splurge, you can stay a night in the Presidential Suite, but there are more suitable ways to do it in Bled.
In winter, the lake around the island is covered with ice, and in an instant it becomes like a fairy tale, when it can not only skate, but also walk to the island in the middle of the lake, and no longer be forced to take a wooden boat there.
Bled is also the perfect base for outdoor sports. If you like cycling, you'll have plenty of options. From here you can walk through small villages and through valleys full of wildflowers. Or, if you prefer to walk, go deep in the forest and hike in Triglav Mountain.
Around the nearby Triglav National Park and sokha Valley, you're sure to experience exciting moments. If you are a lover of kayaking and rafting, the Sokha River will take you to the most beautiful scenery in Slovenia.
Or, if the air is your favorite element, a tandem paraglider across the valley would be a charming afternoon treat!
Don't forget that there are at least two wonderful zipline options in the valley. These activities are also a great way to meet the locals, as Slovenians are so fascinated by sports that you can't be alone in the park!
During your stay at Lake Bled, take a boat trip to the lakeside beauty, and after tasting the Bled cream cake, hike to Mala osojnica to enjoy the best views of the lake.
If you want to stay by Lake Bled but can't find a hotel, recommend you go to Kranjska gora, just 30 minutes away, this town is full of wonderful restaurants with the magnificent Alps as it is not a tourist hotspot, the price is much cheaper than Bled, and there is no traffic problem.
Lake Boxing is another beautiful lake, just a short drive from Lake Bled, but it makes for a different experience.
Here you can hike to the 78-meter drop to Savica Falls, or take a cable car into the mountains to the Mostenica Gorge and admire St. John's Church along the trails by Lake Bohini.
Ventgar Gorge
Prejama Cave Castle
Piran
If you're on a great journey, you can also go to ventgar gorges, hike the Julian Alps in Triglav National Park, visit the world's largest Prejama Cave Castle, and another beautiful coastal city of Piran.