Friday 30 December 2016

Lake Bled

Whilst in Ljubljana we went for a trip into the countryside to visit Lake Bled.


The countryside we journeyed through had mountain scenery and small alpine like villages. It was only about 60 kms to the Lake so didn't take too long.


The Lake was stunning with a small Island in the middle. Th church on the island dates from the 17th cent when it was renovated after an earthquake.

We were taken across to the Island in a rowing boat.








The water was clear and still and the reflections looked like one of Monet's paintings.



If you decide to get married at the church on the Island,you need to be fit as tradition has it that the groom carries his bride up the steps!





Ringing the wishing bell inside the church

According to the legend, a young widow Poliksena once lived at the Bled Castle, who had a bell casted for the chapel on the island in memory of her husband. During the transport of the bell, a terrible storm struck the boat and sank it together with the crew and the bell, which to this day is said to ring from the depths of the lake. After the widow died, the Pope consecrated a new bell and sent it to the Bled Island. It is said that whoever rings this bell and thereby gives honour to Virgin Mary gets his wish come true.









The bell mechanism at the top of the tower.



Views from the island.
















 Across on the mainland you can see the castle on top of the hill.





As the light was beginning to fade we went back across the Lake and were driven to the castle.






The castle terraces offer amazing views over the valley  with the Julian alps in the background.




From the other side of the castle you have spectacular views of the Lake and the Island.






















As the sun went down the sky was ablaze with colour.




19 comments:

  1. great lake and amazaing landscapes

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  2. wow

    we don't have many castles on this side of the pond

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  3. How lovely! Interesting row boat too.

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  4. Absolutely gorgeous! I do hope your wish comes true. I love this whole adventure. Thank you! :-)

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  5. What gorgeous views and that sunset! Breathtaking. The stillness of the water, the quiet row boat, you must have felt so peaceful.

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  6. What a beautifully serene looking place. I have just taken a five minute crash course on Slovenia, and it doesn't seem a bad place at all to visit. The castle on the hill is quite amazing.

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  7. Your knowledge of Slovenia is great. Thanks :)
    In those days it was really nice weather. The lake was calm for beautiful reflections.

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  8. Beautiful pictures! Happy New Year!

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  9. What a gorgeous lake! Love your photo of the church reflection.

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  10. Wow, such beautiful views. Am so happy you could go and make this trip! What a story about the bell of the church (and romantic that it's on an island!) Wishing you a very happy New Year!

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  11. What a fantastic place. I love how the top of the mountains turn orange in the setting sun. It all looks so peaceful.

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  12. Wonderful views of the lake and histories.

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  13. That's very beautiful and I could even remember a little bit i

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  14. Such great photos of a wonderful place..

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  15. wow, that´s a beautiful place. What an interesting day you had. :)

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  16. Another interesting place you have visited and thanks for taking me along for the ride.

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  17. Gorgeous -- it is so neat that you can go on a 'quick trip' to another country ... I envy that.

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  18. Gosh, this post is a lovely blast from the past, I went to Lake Bled in the seventies.

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