Fotos

This POV is similar to one of my previous shots, only this time it is not hazy at all - Karavanke Alps are clearly visible with its highest peak Stol; it is late autumn as opposed to September, so the island is much more naked, and I realized my intention to include the full reflex of the tower and make the picture in square format.

It's amazingly clear day, and a Pletna boat with a couple of tourists can be seen heading to the island. Slightly to the left of this line of sight a big new house is seen on the shore - its builders were busy all summer. It's mind boggling - how somebody can build a new house in a place like this? Hmm, that guy is either very rich or with good connections in the government...

On the right from the boat Bled beach may be seen - it has fine grass lawns and sheds with water taps, boats for rent, etc. It does nothing to improve the scenery but is not too obtrusive either; only sheds could be painted in some camouflage color, like green. In summer they also float large white inflatable "mountain" near the beach with handles for climbing. Kids are continuously jumping into the water from it. It is very pleasant experience to lie on the grass beach and admire gorgeous scenery around. And the water is very clear despite some ducks living in the lake...

High on the rock there is Bled castle. it is rightly said that you cannot miss three things in Bled: the lake, the island and the castle. I was surprised to learn that the place is more than 1000 years old. As I spent so much time trundling along the shore of Bled lake, I thought I should know some of its history...

...Bled was the site of a Hallstatt settlement in the early Iron Age. From the 7th century early Slavs - no doubt attracted by the altitude, the mild climate and the natural protection provided by the mountains - came in waves, established themselves at Pristava below the castle, on a tiny island and at a dozen other sites around the lake. Bled has been linked with the myths and legends of these people for centuries, particuilary the ancient Slavic goddess Živa, the priestess Bogomila and the man who loved her, Črtomir.

In 1004 German Emperor Henry II presented Bled Castle and its lands to the Bishop of Brixen in South Tyrol, who retained secular control of the area until the early 19th century when the Habsburgs took it over. Bled's beauty and its warm waters were well known to medieval pilgrims who came to pray at the island church, but Bled's wealth was not fully appreciated until a Swiss doctor named Arnold Rikli opened baths here in 1855, taking advantage of the springs, the clean air and the mountain light. With the opening of the railway from Ljubljana to Tarvisio (Trbiž) in Italy in 1870, more and more guests came to Bled. The resort was favourite of wealthy Europeans from the early 20th century right up to WWII. In April 2004 Bled celebrated the 1000th anniversary of its founding...

From http://www.trite.si/en/