Bled Castle
Bled Castle clings to a cliff 139 metres above Lake Bled in northwestern Slovenia. In a deed dated 22 May 1011, Emperor Henry II donated the fortress to the bishops of Brixen, making it one of the oldest documented castles in Slovenia; the bishops controlled it for nearly 800 years.
Its oldest surviving element is a Romanesque tower; a 16th-century chapel in the upper courtyard renovated around 1700 with illusionist Baroque frescoes still stands. Earthquakes in 1511 and 1690 each caused serious damage. State appropriation followed in 1803, and a 1947 roof fire led to a full restoration completed in 1961. Today it houses a museum spanning the Bronze Age to modern times and a restaurant overlooking Lake Bled.
Visitor information
- Location
- Bled
- Country
- Slovenia
- Tier
- B (Great castles)
- Coordinates
- 46.3697, 14.1006
- Official site
- http://www.blejski-grad.si/
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Bled Castle?
- Bled Castle is in Bled, Slovenia (approximately 46.3697, 14.1006).
- Can you visit Bled Castle?
- Yes — Bled Castle is open to visitors; see the official site at http://www.blejski-grad.si/ for hours and tickets.
- What tier is Bled Castle on the Castle Atlas?
- Bled Castle is rated B tier on the Castle Atlas — Great castles.
- What can you see at Bled Castle?
- Bled Castle clings to a cliff 139 metres above Lake Bled in northwestern Slovenia. In a deed dated 22 May 1011, Emperor Henry II donated the fortress to the bishops of Brixen, making it one of the oldest documented castles in Slovenia; the bishops controlled it for nearly 800 years.