Gorenjska is one of the oldest and most traditional regions of Slovenia. Its capital city is Kranj, but interesting as well are the cities of Bled, Bohinj and Škofja Loka. There live about 193,375 people and the surface is approximately 2,272 km² big.
Bled
Bled is well-known for its lake, Blejsko Jezero, which was formed when a glacier melted during the last Ice Age. When walking around the lake it might remind one of the Sound of Music.
The church of St Mary’s Assumption (cerkev Marijinega Vnebovzetja) was built on the island in the middle of the lake. It probably is the most famous sight of the lake and photo’s and post cards of the island with the church are spread all over the world. Archaeologists have concluded that there already was a church on Bled Island in the 9th century, but the current church dates back to the 17th century. Though there still are frescoes from the 15th century and a wooden Madonna statue that dates back to the same period of time. However, this was not the first construction built on the island: The island has served as a Stone Age burial ground before the church was built. If you would like to visit the church and the island, just take a gondola at the tourist office or hire a boat at Mlini. The church is used for weddings and is available for Slovenes and foreigners. If you would like to marry there, please contact Bled’s Roman Catholic parish at 04 574 4046.
Bled castle, or Blejski Grad, (Grajska 25) looks out over the lake from a 139 metres high rock. It is said to be founded by bishop Albuin of Brixen, after Emperor Heinrich II had donated him the land. Unfortunately the castle fell into decay after the earthquake of 1510. In the 1950s the castle was renovated in Baroque style. Nowadays it houses a museum dedicated to the regional history.
At tourist agency AlpinSport (Ribčev laz 53), you can hire canoes and kayaks. They also offer full programmes like rafting, mountain trekking and paragliding.
Interested in fishing? Fishing for catfish, pike, carp and lake trout is permitted. You can buy licenses at the local tourist office.
Tourist office
Address: Cesta svobode 10
Telephone: +386 (0)4 574 11 22
E-mail: tdbled@telemach.net
Bohinj
Bohinj is also famous for a lake: Bohinjsko Jezero. It is a glacier lake, just like the lake of Bled. It is the biggest lake of Slovenia (1 km wide and 4.2 km long) and attracts lots of tourists and locals that yearn for a dive in the cold water.
Bohinj once has been the centre of alpine dairy farming in Slovenia and therefore houses a Dairy Farming Museum (Stara Fužina 181). Interesting are the reconstructed alpine huts and dairy exhibits.
It is possible to take a ride aboard a steam train, which will ride you all along the charming Bohinj railway. Tickets should be booked in advance at +386 059 070 512 or send an e-mail to abc-tourism@europcar.si
Tourist Information Centre
Address: Ribčev Laz 48
Telephone: +386 (0)4 574 76010
E-mail: info@bohinj-info.com
Škofja Loka
The area around Škofja Loka is perfect to go cycling or hiking. It is famous for its well preserved medieval character. The town dates back to 973, when Emperor Oton II donated the land of Loka to bishop Abraham of Freising.
In the Middle Ages the people of Loka were starting to spread around the place where the rivers Selška and Poljanska flow together. Loka means grassland by the river. Soon after the bishop of Freising renamed the governmental and financial centre of the lordship to Škofja Loka. For security purposes the town was protected by a town wall that was constructed in the 14th century.
There were five gates to the town and each of them was protected by a watchtower. Nowadays most of the town wall is still fresh-looking.
Škofja Loka is now well-known as the best conserved mediaeval town in the country. The old town centre is has two major squares: Plac and Lontrg, which are both dominated by the Castle.
The Granary has probably the most reputable historic value in the town. In the past it was one of the most important buildings of the town, because it kept the natural taxes. It was controlled by a bishop's administrator: the granary-man.
Tourist information centre
Address: Poljanska cesta 2
Telephone: +386 4 517 06 00
E-mail: info@lto-blegos.si
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