Lake Blejsko

Lake Bled from the panoramic summit of Ojstrica (611 m) above the lake

Lake Bled lies in Upper Carniola at the foot of the Pokljuka plateau and is named after the town of Bled. The lake is of tectonic and glacial origin and lies at an altitude of 475 meters. It is 2,120 m long and 1,380 m wide, with a surface area of 1.45 square kilometers. Its deepest point is 30 meters. The average annual temperature is 12 °C. In July, the water reaches its maximum temperature of 25 °C. The water is also suitable for swimming. On the southern side, the lake drains through the Jezernica stream. The small island in the middle of the lake is the only natural lake island in Slovenia. Above the lake, on a steep cliff, stands Bled Castle.

The lake is a major tourist destination, also known for international rowing competitions. You can reach the island by a traditional Bled boat called a pletna.
Legend of the origin of Lake Bled

Where Lake Bled lies today, there was once a blooming, grassy valley, in the center of which stood a small hill with a giant rock. On moonlit nights, mountain fairies danced around the rock. Shepherds grazed their sheep in the green valley. The fairies asked the shepherds to fence off the area around the rock to preserve their dancing ground with soft grass. But the shepherds ignored their request and allowed their sheep to graze there. The fairies warned them they would take matters into their own hands, but the shepherds just laughed. Soon, the grass was gone and the land turned hard and bare. During one dance, the youngest and most beautiful fairy broke her leg. In anger, the fairies summoned springs and streams from the mountains, which flooded the valley. Only the hill with the rock remained above water, forming an island. The fairies could now dance in peace on moonlit nights. Though they have long since left, the beautiful fairy lake with its island beneath the mountains remains — today’s Lake Bled.
Legend of the Island’s Origin

According to tradition, the Bled Island formed in ancient times from meadows and pastures, where a chapel dedicated to Mary stood on a hill. Sheep would often wander into the unfenced chapel. The careless people didn’t care that the sacred place was being desecrated. Despite divine warnings to fence the chapel, they did nothing. God responded by flooding the pastures, thus surrounding the chapel with water.
The Vision of the Pious Shepherd – Another Version

A shepherd named Janek tended sheep for the rich people of Bled. They were cruel to him — he was often beaten and went to bed hungry. His good deeds went unnoticed. While pasturing, Janek sang and prayed often. He visited the chapel, brought flowers, and confided in Mary. One day he lost a sheep. In despair, he prayed to Mary. Suddenly, she appeared, stroked him, and placed the lost sheep in his arms. She told him to warn the Bled townspeople about their pride and sinful lives. When Janek delivered her message, they mocked him and drove him away. Mary’s wrath was great — she stood on a rock and summoned a storm like Judgment Day. The village sank. Only a small island remained, where Janek climbed and survived.
The Tale of the Wishing Bell

A young lady lived in Bled Castle. Robbers killed her husband and threw him into the lake. In his memory, she collected all her gold and silver and had a bell cast for Mary on the lake island. But a storm sank the boat carrying it. The widow donated all her wealth to build the church on the island and retreated in sorrow to a convent in Rome. After her death, the Pope sent a new bell to Bled Island. Since then, people ring it and turn to Our Lady with wishes and prayers.