An idyllic setting

What is the first image that comes to your mind when you hear the name ‘Slovenia’? Nothing, right? Many of us are unaware about this country or its place in the world map. But in reality, Slovenia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. A land dotted with snow-capped mountains, turquoise lakes, green pastures and tiny hamlets, this country can rival the most scenic places like Switzerland or Austria. Slovenia shares its border with Italy, Austria and Hungary and Croatia, and a small part of it opens out to the Adriatic Sea. The population is no more than two million. One of the reasons for the sparse population density could be the thick forests, which occupy the lion’s share of the land. The Alps mountain range, which starts in France, ends in Slovenia with a range of hills known as Julian Alps. ‘Bled’ is a quaint little village below the Julian Alps range. One of the most beautiful sights to behold here is the Lake Bled.

Thara and Goutham

Smack in the middle of Bled, this lake is the centre point around which the town of Bled is built. Clear waters, lotus plants and swan groups add to the rustic charm of this alpine lake. Though there is no shortage of such alpine lakes in Slovenia, three things make Lake Bled unique — an island right in the middle of the lake, a cute church with 99 steps built on that water-locked piece of land and a medieval castle built on a rocky cliff just above the lake. Row boats ply on the lake to transport tourists from lakeshore to the island church and back. They are crafted in the traditional Slovenian style and are known as ‘pletna’ boats.

Most of the weddings in Bled happen at the island church. As per their tradition, the groom should carry the bride in hand and walk up the 99 steps to reach the church. Also the bride is not supposed to laugh or talk till they reach the top. Most of the young people who get married here still adhere to these traditions.

The 99 steps leading to the church

The road that winds around the lake is rife with cafes, restaurants and thick canopied trees. The patch of grass in between the circular road and the lake usually is occupied by sun bathing tourists and families on picnic. While walking on the patch of grass close to the lake, we heard a rustle of leaves above. We looked up and saw a bunch of teenagers perched on top of a tree branch leaning above the lake, planning dive in the water. By the time I figured out the fast shutter settings of my camera, some of them had already jumped. Still we got lucky in clicking the last two who jumped.

Because of the way the land is scaped, the island cannot be discerned from the ground level. In order to get a good view of Lake Bled and its island church, you need to go to a higher vantage point. The best vantage point in Bled is the Ojstrica viewpoint. It’s a tough climb from the lakeshore to the Ojstrica hilltop point.

It was well worth the effort, because we were welcomed with a view unlike anything else we had seen on our journey through Alps. The blue waters of Lake Bled and its island church can be seen in clear detail from here.

There were a lot of pletnas scattered all over the lake. From the hilltop, they resembled tiny ants floating on a puddle. The view is overwhelming – thick forest canopy on one side of the lake; the cliff top castle on the opposite shore watching over the lake. The town of Bled spreads outwards from below the castle; to top it all, the snow-capped mountains of Julian Alps on the horizon. It was a picture perfect frame. There was another group that had made it to the viewpoint before us. They were from Texas, USA. Two girls from their group were sitting on a jutting out rock and strumming their guitars. The mellow music and the stunning nature set the mood for those unforgettable moments on Ojstrica.

We made our descent well before the sun began, because it is risky to walk down that path in darkness. The city lights of Bled were coming to life as we walked the road circling the lake towards the town. The next morning, we bid adieu to Bled.

(The writer is a Bengaluru-based passionate traveller)

HOW TO REACH & WHAT TO SEE
There are 2 train stations in Bled named Lesce & Jezero. Lesce is the station for those coming from Austrian side and Jezero is the station for those coming from Italian side. The nearest international airport is in Ljubljana which is the capital city. Bled is also well connected by road from Ljubljana. Major attractions here are Lake Bled, Cliff Castle & Vintgar Gorge. The latter is a rocky gorge formed by the twists and turns of the river Radovna flowing through Bled. There is a wooden walkway drilled on the side of the rocky walls making for an adventurous hike over Radovna.