2 . L A K E
B L E D
Once in place of the present lake was a tectonic
basin , which was later carved by the Bohinj glacier .
The glacier was facing an obstacle - a giant rock ,
which he had cut so long that only the island that
we see today remains . The ice melted due to the
global warming of that period , and the pool filled
with water , thus creating 2 . 12 km in length and up
to 1 . 30 km in width Lake Bled . Its maximum depth
reaches 30 . 6 m , which makes it ideal for exploring
diving .
The most recognizable symbol of the lake is the
Church of the Assumption with its long and varied
history , but the lush greenery also hides other
interesting island buildings , such as the bell tower ,
the church , the chaplain ' s house , the throne house ,
a small monastery and some mysterious legends .
In ancient times polytheism prevailed in this area ,
therefore the island included the temple of the
pagan goddess of love . After the local population
was transferred from paganism to Christianity in
745 , they were forced to replace their goddess Lives
as a Christian Virgin Mary . The ancient Slavic church
was replaced by a church dedicated to the birth of
the Virgin Mary . The chapel of little Mary was also
built to make the locals pray to her .
In 1465 on the island was built a one - nave Gothic
church . Its feature was a 52 - meter bell tower made
of porous stone , also known as buckwheat grains .
The church acquired its present baroque
appearance in the middle of the 17th century , when
the Chapel of the Virgin Mary was built and a
monumental staircase with 99 stone steps . The
tradition is still that the bridegroom must carry all
of his 99 steps to marry in the island church .