Bled Castle (Slovene: Blejski grad, German: Burg Veldes) is a medieval castle built on a precipice above the city of Bled in Slovenia, overlooking Lake Bled. According to written sources, it is the oldest Slovenian castle and is currently one of the most visited tourist attractions in Slovenia. Nowadays, the castle is employed as a historical museum with a collection that represents the lake's history.[1]
| Bled Castle | |
|---|---|
Blejski grad | |
 View of Bled Castle | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Medieval castle |
| Architectural style | Renaissance, Romanesque walls |
| Town or city | Bled |
| Country | Slovenia |
| Coordinates | 46°22′11″N 14°06′02″E / 46.36972°N 14.10056°E |
| Elevation | 599 |
| References | |
| giskd2s.situla.org (archived) | |
History and structures
editThe castle was first mentioned in a deed of donation issued by Emperor Henry II to the bishops of Brixen on May 22, 1011. The castle remained as the residence of the bishops for eight centuries.[1][2] At the time of the deed of donation, the area belonged to the March (or Margraviate) of Carniola in the Holy Roman Empire, but in 1278 it passed to the Austrian House of Habsburg.
The oldest part of the castle is the Romanesque tower. In the Middle Ages more towers were built and the fortifications were improved. Other buildings were constructed in the Renaissance style.[3] The buildings are arranged around two courtyards, which are connected with a staircase. There is a chapel in the upper courtyard, which was built in the 16th century and renovated around 1700, when it was also painted with illusionist frescoes. The castle also has a drawbridge over a moat.
Gallery
edit-
Upper courtyard with residence and the Gothic castle chapel -
Lower courtyard with castle outbuildings -
Castle entrance -
Buildings around the lower courtyard -
View from Bled Castle -
Bled Castle in winter -
Bled Castle in late summer
References
edit- ^ a b "Bled Castle | Slovenia Attractions". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2020-08-24.
- ^ "About Bled Castle". Bled Culture Institute. 2008. Archived from the original on 2 September 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
- ^ Ministry of Culture of Slovenia; British Council Slovenia (21 October 2007). "Slovenia: Bled Castle". Slovenia Cultural Profile. Visiting Arts. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
External links
edit
- Bled Castle. Bled Cultural Institute.
- Virtual panoramas. Bled Castle.