- Type
- Castle
- Style
- Gothic architecture
- Coordinates
- 46.3697°, 14.1006°
History
The site is first recorded in 1011, when Emperor Henry II granted the Bled estate to the Bishops of Brixen. The bishops held the castle for centuries, gradually enlarging the fortress on its crag high above the lake. The original Romanesque tower was ringed with walls, and later residential buildings were added on two terraces linked by stairs. Ownership changed several times, and the castle was thoroughly renovated in the 20th century. Today it houses a museum, a restaurant and workshops demonstrating traditional crafts.
What to see
The lower and upper courtyards hold a museum of regional history, a Gothic chapel with frescoes, a printing workshop with a Gutenberg-style press, a forge and a wine cellar. The real draw, though, is the terrace view over the whole lake, its island church and the Julian Alps beyond. You can walk up from town on forest paths.
Wikipedia article Official website Wikidata Q2049047
Popularity: articles about this site in 26 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).