Bled Island

What makes it special

The church on the island is the Church of the Mother of God on the Lake, and the building you see is fifteenth century, given its Baroque look after an earthquake damaged it. Its tall bell tower is the one you can climb.

The church is known for its wishing bell, set in the roof above the nave. A rope hangs down in front of the altar, and a good pull on it rings the bell. Local legend has a widow melting down all her gold and silver to cast a bell for the chapel.

The island is still a place of pilgrimage, and the long staircase up from the water is part of it: climbing the stairs stands for the way to God. The pletna you cross in is a hand-made wooden boat, and the pletnar who rows it holds a respected job that is not open to just anyone.

Visiting

The 99 steps climb to the church from the south landing. From the northern landing a smaller stone staircase leads up instead, so there are steps from either landing.

At the top, buy the church ticket, which also covers the bell tower and the museum in the Provost's House. Inside, join the queue for the rope; the custom is three pulls and a wish. Then climb the tower for the view over the shore to Bled Castle.

Finish with the museum, then stop at Potičnica, the cake shop on the island, before you walk down. A pletna oarsman usually gives you about 40 minutes before rowing back. Stay longer and you return on the first free pletna or on the electric boat.

Tips

Carry euros in cash for the pletna, since the oarsmen generally take nothing else. With two or more of you, hiring a rowing boat usually costs less than the pletna.

Cover your shoulders and pull something over swimwear before you go into the church: swimwear, bare shoulders and short shorts are not allowed inside. You do not need a guide, and the path round the island is free to walk in a quarter of an hour.