The Incredible Waters Of Lake Bled In Slovenia
The waters of Lake Bled are a wonderful emerald green color, which changes to turquoise and deep blue depending on the weather at the time. A magical place in every way.
Its crystalline green waters are home to a small island and are guarded by an ancient castle perched on a cliff. The whole area looks like a large postcard or some extraordinary painting painted by invisible hands.
Slovenia is truly a treasure trove of natural resources. And Lake Bled may be the best of all. Located just minutes from Ljubljana, it is a must see for anyone visiting the country. And it is more than deserved. There you can take some of the best photos that you will keep as travelers.
This natural paradise is surrounded by forests and has the Julian Alps as a backdrop. It also has some more than curious legend and there is a beautiful tradition that its inhabitants repeat once a year. We are going to explore the waters of Lake Bled.
A legendary site
It seems that the first great settlers of this area arrived there in the 7th century. This area was not very Romanized, so the data prior to this date do not seem too significant.
Locals keep alive a legend that tells of the origin of Lake Bled. They say that it was a divine punishment for the abandonment and neglect of the Madonna Chapel (current church of Cerkev Marijinega Vnebovzetja), which ended up surrounded by the waters of the lake.
Another beautiful legend of the area tells us the story of the widow Poliksena. Her husband, the lord of the castle, was murdered one night by bandits. The widow collected all her jewels and with them had a large bell built in her honor.
When the bell, already manufactured, was heading to the place where it was to be placed, in the bell tower of the church located on the island, a strong storm caused the ship to wreck. They say that some nights the sound of the sunken bell in the lake can still be heard.
The island of Lake Bled
The small island in the lake is home to the famous church and its bell tower. The current church bell is another center of attraction for travelers. They say that if you climb the 99 steps that lead up to it and blow it, it will bring good luck.
The island can be reached by pletna, which is the typical boat in the area. It is a simple row boat because motor boats are prohibited on Lake Bled.
Bled castle
Situated on a cliff, 100 meters above Lake Bled, this medieval castle was built over a thousand years ago. And, despite its age, it is in an exemplary state of preservation.
Built as an impregnable fortress, it still preserves all the elements. It is one of the most visited cultural heritage buildings in Slovenia. And no wonder. The views of the lake from the castle are impressive and the visit does not disappoint at all.
The summer festival
Every July, the Lake Bled area celebrates a beautiful tradition. A local sweet shop supplies the inhabitants of Bled with thousands of eggshells where candles are placed, handcrafted by an illustrious local neighbor.
When night falls, numerous boats take to the waters of the lake to leave all the candles lit, which float inside eggshells. It is the Bled Days and Bled Night Festival, which usually leaves about 15,000 candles lit on the surface of the lake. A magnificent show.
A trip to remember
To the magical nature of the whole place, it must be added that it is not a destination that is crowded with tourists at any time. The best time, without a doubt, is summer because it allows you to enjoy all the activities that this wonderful destination has prepared for us. This is a beautiful trip that is never forgotten.
