Bled, the jewel of Slovenia

Bled

The area forming the triangle between the two Sava Rivers is called Blejski kot (Corner). Characteristic of this area are solitary hills rising out from the plain and encircling Lake Bled (altitude 475m, area 144ha, depth 31m). The lake is of glacial origin and lies in a depression surrounded by moraine. The lake, dominated by a step cliff with a medieval castle on its summit, is celebrated for its breathtaking beauty.

In the middle of the lake is an island rising 20m above its surface. The shores of the lake have been transformed into a beautiful park dotted with tourist villages, hotels and villas. Towering in the background of this romantic paradise are the forest-covered slopes of the Jelovica plateau with its steep cliffs and the easily recognizable peak of Babji zob, as well as the Pokljuka plateau, with the snow-capped peaks of the Julian Alps towering above and shining on clear days.

The first traces of human settlement at Bled date from the Stone Age. More intensive settlement occurred in the Iron Age. Until the 19th century the inhabitants of the villages surrounding the lake were engaged solely in farming activities. On the spot of present-day Hotel Toplice there once stood a wooden shed housing a thermal bathing facility. In 1855 Dr. Arnold Rikli of Switzerland introduced treatment with sun, air and water baths. Following the construction of the railway line, the area developed into a fashionable resort.

The Castle was once the administrative seat of the estate of the Brixen Lords, who became its owners in 1004. The Bishops of Brixen ruled over it for 800 years.

The area was already a famous resort in the period between the two wars. On the spot of present-day Vila Bled there once stood a manor house of the Princes of Windischgratz (built at the end of the 19th century). After 1918 it was sold to the Karadžordžević royal family, who had it turn down in 1938 and in its place built the present-day Vila. Its construction was completed in 1947 with the help of war prisoners. The Vila was used as a summer residence by President Tito until 1984, when it was transformed into a luxury hotel. Today Bled is an elegant resort town with many fine hotels, private lodgings, a first-class campsite and a superb offer of culinary specialties. It is also reputed as a rowing center and is an ideal starting point for many tours and excursions to the surroundings.

The nearby golf course opened in 1938, has 27 holes and is considered one of the loveliest in Europe. There is a well-maintained ski slope on Straža hill in the very center. Only 8km from here on the slopes of Pokljuka plateau, is the Zatrnik ski center with 19km of well-maintained ski slopes.

At the edge of the plain, set in the triangle at the confluence of the two Sava Rivers are several tourist villages: Ribno, Bodešče, Koritno and Selo. On the north side is Podhom, a starting point for trips to the Vintgar, one of the greatest natural wonders of the town and its surroundings. Vintgar is a picturesque gorge carved by the Radovna River. In the upper reaches of the Radovna River are the villages of Spodnje (lower) and Zgornje (upper) Gorje.The Radovna flows from a long valley which ends in two fascinating blind Triglav valleys, Krma and Kot.

NOW, that all for today folks, seeing you soon...

From Bled back to Upper Carniola