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© Vizualist

© Vizualist

© Vizualist

© Vizualist

© Vizualist

© Jošt Gantar

© Jošt Gantar

© Jošt Gantar

Bled Castle

Discover the oldest castle in Slovenia and enjoy in the featured historical artefacts.

Bled Castle in the past

The castle's history dates back to 1004 when the German king Henry II conferred the estate of Bled on Bishop Albuin of Brixen. At that time, only Romanesque tower protected by the wall stood at the place of the current castle. The first castle was built by the bishops around 1011 for defensive purposes. The bishops of Brixen never lived in the castle; therefore, it did not have any exuberant rooms.

In the Middle Ages additional towers were built and the fortification system with the wall and lifting tower above the ditch were upgraded. The ditch has been covered, but the scene still stirs up our imagination.

The castle has a characteristic double structure – a reinforced central part for the caretakers and the outer part with a wall and the servants’ quarters. In 1511 and 1690, the castle was severely damaged in an earthquake but was later renovated by the owners. The castle buildings are decorated with the images of coats-of-arms, painted in fresco technique, some are engraved in stone.

Bled Castle in the present

After a devastating fire in 1947 that engulfed the Bled Castle, the local community restored the premises for tourist visits from 1951 to 1961. In 1999, the castle printing house was established in the servants’ quarters next to the lower courtyard, while the castle wine cellar opened in one of the buildings slightly farther up. A commemorative plaque dedicated to Primož Trubar, who visited Bled Castle in June 1561, is located next to the entrance to the printing house. The lower courtyard houses an up to 12-metre-deep well carved in the solid rock, the “Stolp” gallery hosting monthly exhibits, the Arnold Rikli memorial room and the room of experiments above it, as well as the castle apiary with bee-related souvenirs.

Next to the upper courtyard stands a museum presenting the history of Bled in a pleasant, yet professional manner. In the upper courtyard, one can also see the castle chapel, a souvenir shop and a restaurant. In the past, grapevine thrived in this area, and since 2011 the descendant of the oldest grapevine in the world grows here, prospering in Maribor for more than 400 years.

Many cultural events take place on the castle's courtyard, especially in warm months. Special attention is given to the Medieval Days when knights show visitors how people lived in the Middle Ages.

© Jošt Gantar

Castle Chapel

The most interesting of all preserved buildings is the Gothic chapel in the upper courtyard, dedicated to Bishops St Albuin and St Ingenuin. It was built in the 16th century; a baroque image was added to it at the end of the 17th century and was decorated with illusionist frescoes.  The donors of the Bled estate, German king Henry II and his wife Cunigunde were featured at the altar. Their images can be found in the Church of the Mother of God on the Lake on Bled Island.

Experience

  • Enjoy in the view of Bled Island, Bled and the Gorenjska region surrounded with high mountains.
  • Take in the beautiful scenes of the picturesque castle architecture and the museum collection presenting the history of Bled, its culture and people.
  • Learn about the traditional hand printing techniques at the Bled Castle Printing Works and print your own memorial document.
  • Bottle your own wine and seal the bottle with wax in the castle cellar.
  • Power up at the castle restaurant that offers an exceptional breath-taking view.
  • See the well in the lower courtyard.
  • View the current exhibition at the gallery.
  • Visit the memorial room dedicated to Arnold Rikli, and the room dedicated to museums in Gorenjska.
  • In summer months, visit the interesting medieval show.

Worth visiting

Straža

Spend a fun day at Straža.

Church of John the Baptist

The Baroque decorated church exhibits Renaissance works to commemorate the former patron of the church.

Church of St Stephen

Walk to the small village and church that is most known for blessing horses.

Attractions