Bled
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Template:Municipality of Slovenia
Bled is a municipality (population 11,120) in northwestern Slovenia in the region of Upper Carniola (Slovenian Gorenjska). It was first mentioned on April 10, 1004, when it has been awarded by the German Emperor Henry II to the Bishop Albuin of Brixen. Later it had changed many owners, till in 1996 it became an independent municipality.
Bled is famous for the glacial Lake Bled, which makes it a major tourist attraction. Besides a lake, there is a castle on a rock. It is also famous for its cake, called kremna rezina or kremšnita, from German Cremeschnitte.
Due to its mild climate, Bled has been visited by aristocratic guests from all Europe. Arnold Rickli from Switzerland contributed significantly to its development as a health resort. Today it is an important congress and tourist centre that offers a wide range of sport activities (golf, fishing, horse-riding) and is the starting point from which many neighbouring mountains can be visited.
The small island in the middle is home to a church. Human traces from prehistory have been found on the island and prior to a church, there was a temple consecrated to Živa, the Slavic goddess of love and fertility. Also a bell of wishes is on the island. One can get to the island by a boat called pletna.
Bled-CastleAndChurch01.JPG
External link
- Bled 2004 - 1000 Years (http://www.bled.si/) - By Bled municipality. In English, Slovene, German and Italian.
- Gorenjska (http://www.travelguide.si/guide/Regions.asp?MOR_RegionID=9) - including much information on Bled in many European languages. TravelGuide Slovenia. Retrieved on 4 June 2005.de:Bled