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Slovenia

The traditional transportation to Bled Island is a wooden boat known as a pletna. Some sources claim the pletna was used in Lake Bled as early as AD 1150, but most historians date the first boats to AD 1590.

The church has a 171 foot tower and there is a Baroque stairway dating from 1655 with 99 stone steps leading up to the building. The church is frequently visited and weddings are held there regularly.

Traditionally it is considered good luck for the groom to carry his bride up the steps on the day of their wedding before ringing the bell and making a wish inside the church. Hopefully the bride is slender and not weighing a lot. The groom in good shape to make the climb. Carrying a heavy bride up 99 steps is not a good beginning to a marriage.

Inside the Church Assumption of Mary Church

Inside the church you can see the rope hanging from the bell tower down to the floor area in the center of the photo. I was able to ring the bell and not have to carry a bride up the 99 steps.

Riding in a Plenta. Modern boats are still made by hand and are recognizable by their colorful awnings. Pletna oarsman employ the standing rowing technique to propel and navigate boats across the lake using two oars. The role of the oarsman dates back to 1740. The profession is still restricted. Many modern oarsmen descend directly from the original 22 families.

For centuries, Bled and Lake Bled, which boasts the only natural island in Slovenia, have been attracting people seeking special beauty. Traditional boats called pletna take visitors to see the island and the church, which has a bell that plays a special ode to love.

For centuries, Bled and Lake Bled, which boasts the only natural island in Slovenia, have been attracting people seeking special beauty, and which has a bell that plays a special ode to love.

Sign board with a diagram of the Bled Castle on the hill looking down on Lake Bled .

Once inside Bled Castle we visit an antique printing machine still in operation today.

The view from Bled Caste to Lake Bled below was spectacular.

From the railing overlooking Lake Bled below was straight down.

Close up shot of Lake Bled Island in the distance that we had just left.

Overhead parachutes gliding toward earth passed over us.

After looking closer I discovered the parachutists were tandem and literally flew right over me at the Castle.

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