Lake Bled Castle, also known as Blejski Grad, is a stunning medieval castle perched atop a steep cliff overlooking the emerald-green waters of Lake Bled in Slovenia. This historic fortress, dating back to the 11th century, is one of the oldest castles in Slovenia and a beloved symbol of the country.
History of Lake Bled Castle
The history of Lake Bled Castle can be traced back to 1004 when the German king Henry II granted the estate of Bled to Bishop Albuin of Brixen. At that time, the castle was a simple Romanesque tower protected by a wall. Over the centuries, the castle underwent various expansions and renovations, with additional towers and a fortification system with walls and a lifting tower added during the Middle Ages.
In 1511, the castle was severely damaged by an earthquake, but it was later rebuilt in its current form. The castle buildings are adorned with coats of arms, painted in fresco technique, and some are even engraved in stone, adding to the castle’s rich historical character.
Architectural Highlights
The oldest part of Lake Bled Castle is the Romanesque tower, which dates back to the 11th century. Over time, more towers were added, and the fortifications were improved, with the buildings arranged around two courtyards connected by a staircase. The castle also features a chapel in the upper courtyard, built in the 16th century and renovated around 1700, with illusionist frescoes adorning its walls.
One of the castle’s most distinctive features is the drawbridge over a moat, adding to the castle’s impressive defensive capabilities and medieval ambiance.
Activities and Experiences
Lake Bled Castle offers a range of activities and experiences for visitors, allowing them to immerse themselves in the castle’s rich history and traditions. Visitors can explore the museum collections, enjoy the stunning views of Lake Bled, the island, and the surrounding mountains, and even try their hand at being a castle master printer at the castle’s printing works.
The castle’s gallery hosts monthly exhibitions showcasing the works of photographers, painters, and masters of contemporary applied arts. Visitors can also relax in the castle café or attend cultural events held on the castle’s courtyard, especially during the warm summer months.
Dining and Wine Tasting
The castle’s restaurant is renowned for preserving the culinary traditions of Gorenjska and Slovenia, offering local and regional dishes with a contemporary twist. The castle’s wine cellar hosts regular tastings of selected wines and demonstrations of the bottling of wine aged in oak barrels, allowing visitors to fill, cork, and wax their own bottle of wine as a souvenir.
Hours and Admission
Lake Bled Castle is open daily from 8 am to 8 pm from April to September and from 9 am to 6 pm from October to March, with the last entry being half an hour before closing time. The admission fee for adults is €13, for seniors and students €11, and for children aged 6-14 €5. Audio guides are available in 11 languages for an additional €3.
Contact Information
Address: Grajska cesta, 4260 Bled, Slovenia
Phone: +386 4 578 0550
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bled-castle.si
References
- Bled Castle – Tripadvisor. Retrieved from https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g274863-d300864-Reviews-Bled_Castle_Blejski_Grad-Bled_Upper_Carniola_Region.html
- Bled Castle. Retrieved from https://www.bled-castle.si/en/
- Bled Castle – Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bled_Castle
- Bled Castle – Bled, Slovenia – Bled.si. Retrieved from https://www.bled.si/en/what-to-see-do/attractions/15/bled-castle/
- Bled Castle. Retrieved from https://www.bled.si/en/what-to-see-do/attractions/15/bled-castle/