Slovenia: Tourist Centres of the Julian Alps
Bled
BLED - For more than 1,000 years we have admired the most beautiful view
The fairy-tale beauty of Lake Bled has attracted visitors for a millennium with its
marvellous power. We could quote numerous travellers, writers, rulers, or presidents, but
the most beautiful description is by Slovenia's greatest poet, France Prešeren (1800–
1849): “Dežela Kranjska nima lepš'ga kraja, ko je z okolš'no ta podoba raja.” (“The
Province of Carniola has no more beautiful place than this setting, the image of
paradise”).
Bled Island in the centre of the lake is Slovenia’s only island, and we can say that it’s
not far from the sea. Its history tells us how important and symbolic Bled Island is for
Slovenes. It was visited in prehistoric times, and here the ancient Slavs later worshipped
Živa, the goddess of love and fertility.
Modern visitors enjoy coming to the island for its beauty, natural and cultural heritage,
positive energy, and the wishing bell that in every season and every hour of the day
grants the wishes of visitors from around the world. In summer, swimming to the island
in the clean and warm lake is a real pleasure, and a special experience is a ride around
the lake in a traditional “pletna” boat, a wonderful handcrafted vessel made for
transporting visitors.
With all this romance it is not surprising that from year to year Bled is becoming more
popular with young lovers who pledge their vows in this marvellous setting.
Bled Castle perches on a cliff 100 meters above the lake. The first known mention of
Bled in historical documents occurred on April 10, 1004, when the Holy Roman Emperor
Henry II donated Bled and its surroundings to Bishop Albuin of Brixen.
The view from the castle covers a wonderful panorama of the lake and its island, the
Sava River valley, and a large expanse of Slovenia’s only national park, Triglav National
Park, which protects the highest peak in the Julian Alps and Slovenia, Mount Triglav.
Today, visitors can learn about the cultural heritage of Bled and Slovenia in the castle
museum and enjoy fine dining in the castle restaurant.
In 2006, Bled recorded several important anniversaries:
Many recognize the Swiss doctor Arnold Rikli (1823–1906) as the initiator of
organized tourism in Bled. He was a founder of health resort tourism and with the
establishment of the Natural Health Institute the fame of Bled and its hot springs spread
around the world and the local population became involved with tourism. In 1903, Bled
received a gold medal at the World Fair in Vienna. One hundred years later, Rikli’s
traditional treatments have merely been renamed with the modern term “wellness.” Thus
the modern Živa Wellness Centre in Bled offers guests top quality services for
maintaining physical and spiritual health and beauty.
In 1906, Bled was officially ranked among the most important tourist
destinations of imperial Austria and in the same year was presented for the first
time in London.
In July 1906, the first train arrived at the Bled-Jezero station. It was carrying
high-ranking guests from the Vienna court all the way to Trieste. The heir to the throne,
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, participated in the formal opening of the Bohinj Railway and
on his arrival in Bled commented, “Bled is really the most beautiful point on the entire
railway.”
And what’s new in Bled’s tourist offer for 2007?
In the desire to raise the quality of tourist services in 2007, we in Bled are planning new
investments that will give the Astoria, Krim, and Golf Apartments hotels a new
appearance and greater guest satisfaction. We also plan to upgrade the Sports Park.
Triglav National Park will open a central information centre for visitors in its
administration building in Bled.
From April 24 to 30, Bled will host the 15th ITF World Championship in Taekwon-do.
The 11th European Masters Championships in swimming, diving, distance swimming,
and synchronized swimming will be held in Bled from August 28 to September 2.
Main events in 2007
January 1
January 17–21
February 17–20
April 8
April 10
April 21–22
April 25–29
May 12
June
June 30–July 14
July, August
July
July 20–22
August
Aug. 28–Sept. 2
NEW YEAR’S DAY
WORLD CUP BIATHLON ON POKLJUKA
CARNIVAL EVENTS
EASTER CONCERT
MUNICIPAL HOLIDAY EVENTS
MAY DAY ROWING REGATTA
15TH ITF WORLD MEMBERSHIP CHAMPIONSHIP IN TAEKWON-DO
ALPINE EVENING
52ND INTERNATIONAL ROWING REGATTA
12TH INTERNATIONAL BLED MUSIC FESTIVAL 2007
BLED SUMMER FESTIVAL WEEKLY EVENTS
RIKLI SPORT DAYS
BLED DAYS AND BLED NIGHT
17TH OKARINA BLED FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL
11TH EUROPEAN MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP IN SWIMMING, DIVING,
September
November 17
December 1–31
December 25
December 31
DISTANCE SWIMMING, AND SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING
BLED TRIATHLON
NATIONAL POP MUSIC HIT PARADE
“MERRY DECEMBER” EVENTS
LEGEND OF THE SUNKEN BELL
OPEN-AIR NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATIONS
More information about activities and events, the natural and cultural heritage,
and the tourist offer in Bled can be found on our web site:
www.bled.si
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For general information about Slovenia as a tourist destination, please contact
Majda Rozina Dolenc, Communications Manager, Slovenian Tourist Board, via email at majda.dolenc@slovenia.info