Bled

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Občina Bled
Area:	188.5 km²
Population	10,899
- males	5,314
- females	5,585
Mayor:	Janez Fajfar
Average age:	35.76 years
Residential areas:	36.18 m²/person
- households:	3,981
- families:	3,133
Working active:	5,111
- unemployed:	515
Average monthly salary (August 2003):
- gross:	231,797 SIT
- net:	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). The area is a popular tourist destination.

Contents 1 History 2 Tourism 3 Trivia 4 Born in Bled 5 See also 6 External links

[edit] History

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.

[edit] Tourism

Bled is famous for the glacial Lake Bled, which makes it a major tourist attraction. Perched on a rock overlooking the lake is the iconic Bled castle. Arnold Rikli from Switzerland contributed significantly to the development of Bled as a health resort resort in the 2nd half of the 19th century. Due to its mild climate, Bled has been visited by aristocratic guests from all across the world. 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.

[edit] Trivia

• The town is well-known for its unique vanilla-and-cream cake, called kremna rezina or kremšnita. It got its name from the German word Cremeschnitte, meaning 'cream slice'.
• The island on Lake Bled has 99 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.

[edit] Born in Bled

• 1929 Slavko Avsenik, musician and composer
• 1972 Špela Pretnar, skier, olympic athlete
• 1972 Denis Žvegelj, rower, olympic medalist
• 1988 Sara Isakovič, freestyle swimmer

View of Bled from the castle hill

Bled lake, Castle and church

Island on Lake Bled

[edit] See also

• Lake Bled
• Bled Castle

[edit] External links

• Official Website
• Bled Island Official Website
• Bled travel guide from Wikitravel
• Bled on Official Slovenian Tourism Portal by Slovenian Tourist Board

Slovenia | Slovenian regions
Urban municipalities: Celje | Koper | Kranj | Ljubljana | Maribor | Murska Sobota
Nova Gorica | Novo Mesto | Ptuj | Slovenj Gradec | Velenje

Coordinates: 46°22′N, 14°07′E