Lake Bled Island Church

Lake Bled, with its island church and castle on the cliff, is one of the most iconic places in Slovenia and represents an important part of the country's cultural and natural heritage.
The island itself has a long history of weddings and celebrations: couples are ferried to the island in the famous pletna boats where, according to tradition, the groom then carries his bride up the 99 steps to the church. Vows are exchanged in a civil or church ceremony, and the happy couple can also ring the wishing bell for a long and happy marriage.

The wishing bell has been granting wishes for centuries. It was commissioned by the Pope himself in honour of a young and devout widow who lived in Bled castle. Her husband had been killed by bandits, his body thrown in the lake, after which the widow spent every day praying in the chapel on the island. She had a golden bell cast from her jewellery to place on the island in memory of her husband, but a violent storm sunk the boat it was being carried in. She soon sold all her property to finance the building of the church and went to Rome, where she lived out her days as a nun. To this day, the bell grants wishes to all who visit the island.

Civil ceremony:  available

Wedding feast: not available