Bled Castle
{{Short description|Castle in Slovenia}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Bled Castle
| native_name = Blejski grad
| native_name_lang =
| former_names =
| alternate_names =
| status =
| image = Blejski grad - posnetek iz balona - 2023-07-08.jpg
| image_alt = Bled Castle is the oldest Slovenian castle mentioned in documents
| caption = View of Bled Castle
| altitude = 599
| building_type = Medieval castle
| architectural_style = Renaissance, Romanesque walls
| location_town = Bled
| location_country = Slovenia
| coordinates = {{coord|46|22|11|N|14|06|02|E|display=inline}}
| references = [https://web.archive.org/web/20120726150815/http://giskd2s.situla.org/rkd/Opis.asp?Esd=24/ giskd2s.situla.org] (archived)
}}
Bled Castle ({{langx|sl|Blejski grad}}, {{langx|de|Burg Veldes}}) is a medieval castle built on a precipice above the city of Bled in Slovenia, overlooking Lake Bled. According to written sources, it is the oldest Slovenian castle and is currently one of Slovenia's most visited tourist attractions. Nowadays, the castle is a historical museum with a collection representing the lake's history.{{Cite web|title=Bled Castle {{!}} Slovenia Attractions|url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/slovenia/julian-alps/bled/attractions/bled-castle/a/poi-sig/490150/360712|access-date=2020-08-24|website=Lonely Planet|language=en}}
History and structures
The castle was first mentioned in a deed of donation issued by Emperor Henry II to the bishops of Brixen on May 22, 1011. The castle remained as the residence of the bishops for eight centuries.{{cite web |url=http://www.blejski-grad.si/en/about-bled-castle |title=About Bled Castle |publisher=Bled Culture Institute |year=2008 |accessdate=22 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902011242/http://www.blejski-grad.si/en/about-bled-castle |archive-date=2 September 2011 }} At the time of the deed of donation, the area belonged to the March (or Margraviate) of Carniola in the Holy Roman Empire, but in 1278 it passed to the Austrian House of Habsburg.
The oldest part of the castle is the Romanesque tower. In the Middle Ages more towers were built and the fortifications were improved. Other buildings were constructed in the Renaissance style.{{cite web |url=http://www.culturalprofiles.net/slovenia/Units/4179.html |work=Slovenia Cultural Profile |title=Slovenia: Bled Castle |author=Ministry of Culture of Slovenia |author2=British Council Slovenia |publisher=Visiting Arts |date=21 October 2007 |accessdate=22 May 2011}} The buildings are arranged around two courtyards, which are connected with a staircase. There is a chapel in the upper courtyard, which was built in the 16th century and renovated around 1700 when it was also painted with illusionist frescoes. The castle also has a drawbridge over a moat.
Gallery
Image:Blejski grad 09.JPG|Upper courtyard with residence and the Gothic castle chapel
Image:Blejski grad 01.JPG|Lower courtyard with castle outbuildings
Image:Blejski grad 02.JPG|Castle entrance
Image:BledCastle1.JPG|Buildings around the lower courtyard
Image:Bled1a.jpg|View from Bled Castle
Image:Bled Castle 05.jpg|Bled Castle in winter
Image:Bled Castle 02.jpg|Bled Castle in late summer
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Bled Castle}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090805123823/http://www.blejski-grad.si/en/ Bled Castle]. Bled Cultural Institute.
- [http://www.burger.si/Bled/BlejskiGradENG.html Virtual panoramas]. Bled Castle.
{{Bled}}
{{Castles in Slovenia}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|46|22|11|N|14|06|02|E|display=title|type:landmark_source:fiwiki}}