Bled

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Občina Bled

Area:	188.5 km²
Population  - males  - females	10,899 5,314 5,585
Mayor:	Jože Antonič
Average age:	35.76 years
Residential areas:  - households:  - families:	36.18 m²/person 3,981 3,133
Working active:  - unemployed:	5,111 515
Average monthly salary (August 2003):  - gross:  - net:	231,797 SIT 147,874 SIT
College/university students:	447
Source: Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, census of 2002.

Bled is a municipality (population 10,899) in northwestern Slovenia in the region of Upper Carniola (Slovenian Gorenjska). It was first mentioned on April 10, 1004, when it was awarded by the German Emperor Henry II to the Bishop Albuin of Brixen. Later it had changed many owners, until it became an independent municipality in 1996.

Bled is famous for the glacial Lake Bled, which makes it a major tourist attraction. Perched on a rock overlooking the lake is an iconic castle.

Due to its mild climate, Bled has been visited by aristocratic guests from across Europe. Arnold Rikli from Switzerland contributed significantly to its development as a health resort. Today it is an important convention centre and tourist resort, offering a wide range of sport activities (golf, fishing, horseback-riding) and is a starting point for mountain treks and hikes.

A small island in the middle of the lake is home to a church; visitors frequently ring its bell for good luck. Human traces from prehistory have been found on the island. Before the church was built, there was a temple consecrated to Živa, the Slavic goddess of love and fertility. One can get to the island on a traditional boat called pletna.

Trivia

• The town is well-known for its vanilla-and-cream cake, called kremna rezina or kremšnita, from German Cremeschnitte.
• The island on Lake Bled has 98 steps. A local tradition at weddings is for the husband to carry his new bride up these steps, during which the bride must remain silent.

Born in Bled

• Sara Isakovič (*1988), freestyle swimmer

Island on Lake Bled

Bled lake, Castle and church

External links

• [[wikitravel:| travel guide]] from Wikitravel
• [Bled 2004 - 1000 Years] - By Bled municipality. In English, Slovene, German and Italian.
• [Gorenjska] - including much information on Bled in many European languages. TravelGuide Slovenia. Retrieved on 4 June 2005.

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