Assumption of Maria Church — Attraction in Bled

The Church of Mother of God, also known as the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Mary, or Our Lady of the Lake, is located on a small island in the middle of Lake Bled.

The traces of history of Bled Island go back to the prehistoric period (from the 11th to the 8th century B.C.) and Slavic settlement (from the 9th to the 10th century). The ancient Slavic cult area was probably located here in the early Middle Ages, i.e. at the site of the present church. In the period from the 9th to the 11th century, there were 124 graves with skeletons found. The foundations of the pre-Romanesque chapel, built during the spreading of Christianity, also date to that period.

The first brick built church on the island was consecrated in 1142 by the Aquileia patriarch Pellegrino. The church was rebuilt in Gothic style in the 15th century; the renovated church was consecrated in 1465 by the first Ljubljana bishop, Count Žiga Lamberg. It was damaged in 1509 by an earthquake; therefore it was thoroughly renovated in early Baroque style. From former Gothic church are preserved only frescoes in the presbytery and wooden statue of Mother Divine, which probably adorned the main altar.

The current shape of the church has been preserved since the 17th century, when it was restored after the second earthquake. The main altar with a richly-decorated golden carving that dates back to 1747 at the main altar plastic represents the sitting Mother Divine, alongside the donor of the Bled estate Henry II and his wife Cunigunde. Side altars which were made at the end of the 17th century, are dedicated to St Sebastian, St Magdalene and St Ana.

The bell tower was built in 1465, but because of the heavy damage in both earthquakes and a lightning strike in 1688, the tower was renovated several times. The current bell tower is 54 metres (177 feet) high and has three bells made by Samasso and Franchi, bell makers from Ljubljana (some papers say they were made by Francesco Patavino from Padova in 1534). The legend says that those who ring the bell and make a wish, will see their wish come true. But there’s one rule: you can make only one wish.

The church and other buildings, such as the wall and monumental Baroque staircase with 99 steps (built in 1655), have preserved their image since the 17th century.

There are several ways to get to the Island. The usual way to reach the island is by taking a trip on the traditional man-powered Pletna boat (a large gondola-like row boat with a canopy) that takes visitors from the shores of Lake Bled to Bled Island in about 20 minutes each way and costs €15 for a roundtrip (includes waiting time of 30 minutes). Another option is to rent a rowboat which is cheaper and visitors could get the pleasure of meandering back and forth through the lake. A boat for 3 persons costs around €15 per hour, a boat for 5 persons costs around €20 per hour. If you are a good swimmer, you can also swim to the island. But be aware – if you swim to the island, you won’t be able to explore the church unless you ask someone to bring you clothes by boat. Also in winter when the temperatures are low enough, visitors can walk across the frozen Lake Bled to the island and visit the church.

Some photos courtesy of...

If you visit Slovenia, it would be a sin not to visit perhaps the most famous Slovenian lake Bled, which is considered one of its symbols. This beautiful lake is located on the eastern edge of the Julian Alps, right in the middle a bustling town of the same name. Above the lake rises an old castle and in the middle of the lake on the islet is the most photographed place in Slovenia - a church with a bell tower. We started our tour of the town of Bled with a walk around the lake of the same name with clear water and a number of swans and ducks that were swaying peacefully on the surface. We climbed a steep climb to the local castle, which rises on a rock above the lake. The lake is actually much nicer than the pictures in various tourist guides or information posters. Its water is absolutely clear, in the middle of the surface the island with a church emerges from the water, the banks are lined by a hiking path. The peace and calmness shine from the lake and it just invites you to swim in it. Of course, we could not miss that and we entered his icy water. The round tour around the lake is easy and takes about 2 hours. You can sit in one of the pleasant restaurants on the shore and taste the amazing, very caloric, and most famous Slovenian dessert - "Kremnu rezinu".

A few notes to accommodation. After arriving in Bled, we stayed at the local Camping Bled camp directly on the lakeshore the first day. Terrible experience. There is a good quality in the facility itself, but even at the end of September, it was totally overcrowded, places for tents were only either in muddy terrain or in stone places. Terribly noisy at night, just a disaster. Therefore, the next day we moved a little outside the town to Camping Sobec. That was a difference. Beautiful clean camp, places for tents on beautiful lawns among pine trees on the banks of the river Sava, with a natural swimming pool in the form of a lake, again with amazingly clear water. We really liked it here and we really enjoyed camping here.

A few notes to food: The minced meat you buy in every Slovenian butcher shop is absolutely delicious. There is no need to spice it or improve anyhow and it is just delicacy. And local meat sausages - that's just heaven. Perhaps I have not eaten...

I’m so deeply disappointed with how I was treated by the Priest on Bled Island at Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I rang the heavy wishing bell (wishing/praying for my mother who suffers from Alzheimer's) and did not realize that when letting go of the rope, that it would have a mind of it's own. The Priest shamed me and repeatedly said "HOW COULD YOU?? HOW COULD YOU!!? This is where forefathers...this is where weddings..." Despite my continued apologies he continued saying HOW COULD YOU ?!? And went so far as to say "THIS IS NOT AMERICA FIRST!" | was so embarrassed and hurt by that statement that I began to cry. (I play piano/organ and am a singer/songwriter for churches /Music Director at 4 different churches over the years ) and have been more than polite, respectful and kind during my travels in all European cathedrals/churches. Never have I been treated or made to feel so poorly. I would like to say to that Priest: "What would Jesus do?” How would he have treated me when I was clearly apologetic? Nothing was broken and nothing fell down ... it was just a rope that swung from my hands and I repeatedly apologized. I will never return to your church. I will also never forget the way you made me feel and how you shamed me on my last day in Slovenia as I prayed for my dear mother. This is a lesson in Kindness dear sir. Your words spoke truth...