Visit the Church on Bled island and ring the bell!
The Bled church is most famous for its bell. The story says that ringing it, can make your secret wishes come true. Do you have any? Visit the island.
Above the surface of Lake Bled stands the only island in Slovenia, inviting you on a unique trip. The small Bled island is located in the western part of Lake Bled, where it is possible to reach by a special boat called a pletna. Pletna boats are traditionally built by locals and are rowed by a single oarsman in pairs. Pletna boats are the best choice for a lake trip to Bled Island and St. Mary’s Church.
Bled Island is an essential representative of Slovenian cultural and natural heritage, as the sanctuary of the old Slavic goddess Živa dates back to the 7th century BC. Before the arrival of Christianity in the Bled area, the island represented a sanctuary for all Slavic pagans. In the battles between members of the pagan and Christian religions, the people ruined and destroyed the pagan sanctuary and built the Church for all Christians.
Over the course of the 17th century, they built two of the biggest attractions: the Church chapel and the famous staircase. The staircase dates back to 1655, but was renovated in 2005. On the island, you can also find the statue of Mary Magdalene and the free-standing Gothic bell tower, which stands on the south side of the Church.
After visiting Bled Island and Bled Castle, you might be wondering what else there is to see in Bled and the surrounding area. Take a look at our complete guide to day trips from Bled, featuring carefully selected tours and experiences.
If you’re organising your first trip to Bled, we recommend checking out our comprehensive Lake Bled, Slovenia Travel Guide. It’s designed for first-time visitors and answers common questions such as whether Lake Bled is worth visiting, the best time to go, and whether it’s better to stay overnight or visit on a day trip from Ljubljana.
St. Mary’s Church on Bled island
St. Mary’s Church on Bled Island is also known as the Church of Our Dear Lady. The monumental staircase with 99 stone steps leads from the harbor to the top of the Bled island and to the St. Mary’s Church. Inside the Church, you can see a golden central altar, three marble side altars, and other luxurious interior elements.
Throughout its history, the Church has been renovated and restored several times, as it represents an important cultural heritage of Bled. Essential parts of the Bled Island Church are also the church keeper’s house and the dean’s house.
The Church Bell grants wishes
There are many urban legends about the Bled island and its history, some of which also inspired the greatest Slovenian poet, France Prešeren. However, one legend in particular is best known to everyone, the so-called legend of the sunken Bell. The legend of the sunken Bell tells of its origin and preservation, which today make it a significant part of St. Mary’s Church.
Many visitors on Bled island ring the Bell in the hope that their desires and wishes will be fulfilled. It is believed that the Bell brings good luck to everyone who rings the Bell.
The legend of the sunken Bell
The Bell of desire was made in Padova in 1534. At the same time, in Bled Castle, a young and inconsolable widow cried for her husband, who was killed by bandits, and his body was thrown into Lake Bled.
Therefore, the young widow collected all her silver and gold and cast them in a new bell, with which she wanted to honor her dead husband by placing the bell beside St. Mary’s Church on Bled island. Nevertheless, the new bell never arrived on the island, as it sank along with a boat and all the men, while severe storms were creating big waves on the lake’s surface. Local residents in Bled say that they can still hear the bell, with voices rising from the depths of the lake.
After this accident, the desperate young widow sold all her possessions and left for the monastery in Rome. After her death, the Pope instructed the building of a new bell, which he dedicated to the young widow from Bled. The Pope sent the Bell to the Bled island, where it still stands today, near St. Mary’s Church. Those who ring the Bell and announce their wish to the beloved Lake Bled widow have the opportunity to be heard, and therefore their wishes will be fulfilled.
Lake Bled Church – opening hours
The Bled island and St. Mary’s Church are available for visitors on every day of the year, except in case of very bad weather or in case of a frozen lake. When Lake Bled is frozen, you cannot visit the island with a traditional boat pletna, nor by foot, because walking on ice is far too dangerous.
The Lake Bled Church on the island has the following opening hours:
- January, February, November, December
Monday–Thursday: 8:30–16:00
Friday–Sunday & public holidays: 8:30–17:30
- March
Daily: 8:30–17:00
- April, October
Daily: 8:30–18:00
- May, June, July, August, September
Daily: 8:30–19:00
These opening hours also apply if you would like to visit a small shop in the Church’s gallery, where you can buy candles, small bells, rosaries, calendars and t-shirts. You can also buy tickets to visit the inner part of St Mary’s Church and the Gothic bell tower.
Information about tours and access to the Bled island
For guided individual and group tours, a preliminary guide reservation is required. Otherwise, visiting the island with the Church takes about an hour.
People in wheelchairs and parents with children in prams should know that access to the island is somewhat tricky, because on the north side of the island, there is a steep macadam road leading to St. Mary’s Church. To enter the Church, one must cross a ten-centimeter-high step.
It’s also good to know that dogs are not allowed to enter.
Bled island Church – entrance fee
To visit the island, St. Mary’s Church, and the Bell tower, visitors must pay an entrance fee.
- Entrance fee for an adult costs 12€,
- groups over 20 persons 10,5€,/person
- for a student 10,5€,
- for children 5€, and
- For families, the total price is 24€.
It is not necessary to book individual tours, but then again, it is desirable to book tours for larger groups. Organized groups who wish to see the island with the Church outside working hours must arrange their visit at least 5 days in advance.
Weddings in Lake Bled Church
Bled offers many beautiful venues for weddings and other special celebrations. Among the most popular locations are Bled Castle and St. Mary’s Church on Bled Island. Weddings in Lake Bled Church have a fantastic view, because they are part of the idyllic surroundings.
There is an interesting tradition surrounding weddings on Bled Island. According to tradition, the groom must carry his bride through all 99 steps that lead to the Lake Bled Church.
At the top of the island, they must ring the Bell of Desire. All this will bring good luck to the bride and groom and ensure their marriage lasts forever, filled with joy and happiness.
Church of St. Martin in Bled
Weddings are also held in the Church of St. Martin in Bled; however, this famous church is visited by most people for its rich history and beautiful architecture, both inside and out. The Church of St. Martin is located next to Lake Bled, slightly elevated above the coast. Above the Church stands the mighty Bled Castle.
The Neo-Gothic church dedicated to St. Martin was built in 1905 on the site of the Gothic church from the middle of the 15th century. The renovation of St. Martin’s Church in Bled was supervised by some of the greatest names in Slovenian art and architecture. Among them were the architect Jože Plečnik and the fresco artist Slavko Pengov. The Church of St. Martin is special because of its Gothic architecture, luxurious interior frescoes, and well-preserved walls, which have remained an essential part of the Church since the 15th century.
In addition to both churches, there is also a chapel located inside Bled Castle itself. The castle chapel is dedicated to Bishops Albuin and Ingenuin and dates back to the 16th century, with Baroque elements added later. Inside, you’ll find beautifully preserved frescoes and a quiet, atmospheric space that contrasts nicely with the busy castle courtyards outside. The chapel is still occasionally used for weddings and special ceremonies, adding to its historical and cultural significance.
If you’d like to learn more about Bled Castle, its history, highlights, and practical visiting tips, take a look at our comprehensive guide to Bled Castle and how to visit it.
Altitude Activities is a proud recipient of a TripAdvisor 2024 Certificate of Excellence. Thank you all for the great reviews!
The best thing ever. I took my old boss to experience Slovenia in one day. And boy I am happy I chose Altitude Activities to do so. Our tour guide Jerry was awesome, funny and you could just see he knows what he is doing. We went to the canyon of Jermanka and even though there is a drop almost 45m high we felt extremely safe. Overall highly suggest going canyoning with Altitude Activities
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