Photo: Mirko Kunsic / www.slovenia.info

The Bled Castle is the symbol of Slovenia, and probably the most photographed and most visited Slovenian castle. It stands on a steep 139-meter cliff above Lake Bled, offering a breathtaking view of the lake, its island with a little church, and the surrounding peaks of Slovenian Alps.

The history of the castle reaches back to 1004 when the German Emperor Henry II gave his estate at Bled to the Bishops of Brixen who built the castle in 1011. In the late Middle Ages more towers were built and the fortifications system was improved. Over 300 years the castle was managed by the bishop ministerials, and untill 1349 by the Knights of Bled.

In 1511 the castle was heavily damaged by the earthquake. In 1803, it was nationalized. In 1918, the Bled Castle with the lake and the island was bought by renowned hotelier Ivan Kenda who had failed with his project. Today is the Bled Castle owned by the state and managed by the Institute for the Promotion and Development of Tourism in Bled.

The most interesting of all the preserved buildings is the Gothic chapel built in the 16th century, and renovated in the Baroque style around 1700, when it was also painted with illusionist frescoes.

In the servant building which is equipped with the printing works, you can learn about traditional manual printing. The museum collection represents the ancient history of Bled and its development from the Bronze Age to the present day. In addition to the castle restaurant there is also a well-stocked castle wine cellar with selected wines. It attracts with tastings of its top-quality wines and a demonstration of bottling of wine from oak barrels. The visitor who fills a bottle as a souvenir, corks it and waxes it, is presented with a certificate. There is also the castle forge where you can see how hand-forged pieces were made.

Climb up to the Bled Castle and enjoy the stunning view of the famous Lake Bled with its island and a little church.

If you are interested in visiting Bled Castle with a professional guide, please send us your inquiry to info@inlandia.com