View source for Bled

==Tourism==
[[File:Hotel Louisenbad na Bledu 1910.jpg|thumb|right|Bled hotels in 1910]]
[[File:Bled Cremeschnitte (blejska kremšnita).jpg|thumb|Bled ''[[Cremeschnitte]]'']]
[[File:View of the lido from Bled Castle, Bled, 2013.jpg|thumb|Below the [[Bled Castle]] cliffs sits a public pool area on the lake.]]
Bled is known for the [[glacier|glacial]] [[Lake Bled]], which makes it a major tourist attraction. Perched on a rock overlooking the lake is the iconic [[Bled Castle]]. The town is also known in Slovenia for its [[Kremna rezina|vanilla and cream pastry]] ({{langx|sl|kremšnita, kremna rezina}}).

[[Naturopathic medicine|Naturopath]] [[Arnold Rikli]] (1823–1906) from [[Switzerland]] contributed significantly to the development of Bled as a [[health resort]] in the second half of the 19th century. Due to its mild climate, Bled has been visited by aristocratic guests from all across the world. Today it is an important convention centre and tourist resort, offering a wide range of sports activities ([[golf]], [[fishing]], and [[Equestrianism|horseback riding]]). It is a starting point for [[Backpacking (wilderness)|mountain treks]] and [[Hiking|hikes]], especially within nearby [[Triglav National Park]].

A small island in the middle of the lake is home to the [[Assumption of Mary]] [[Pilgrimage]] Church; visitors frequently ring its bell, due to an old legend claiming it provides good luck.

Human traces from [[prehistory]] have been found on the island. Before the church was built, there was a temple consecrated to [[Živa (goddess)|Živa]], the Slavic goddess of love and fertility. One can get to the island on a traditional flat-bottomed wooden boat ({{langx|sl|pletna}}), part of a fixed fleet of 23 boats to protect the lake's cleanliness, run by a family-owned business since the 18th century. The island on [[Lake Bled]] has 99 steps. A local tradition at weddings is for the husband to carry his new bride up these steps, during which the bride must remain silent.