Crossroads of the Adriatic Tour
Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia
May 23 - June 12, 2015
Part Six- Slovenia
The Slovene lands were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
until the latter's dissolution at the end of WWII. The Slovenes
joined the Serbs and Croats in 1918 in forming a multinational state,
that was named Yugoslavia in 1929. After WWII, Slovenia became a
republic of the new communist Yugoslavia. Not satisfied with the exercise
of power by the Serb majority, the Slovenes established their independence
in 1991 after a short Ten Day War. Historically tied to Western Europe with
a good economy and stable democracy, Slovenia joined NATO and the European
Union in 2004. Slovenia is slightly smaller than New Jersey with a population of
almost 2 million. About 83% of the population is Slovene, 2% Serb, 1.8% Croat,
1.1% Bosniak., 12% other. Almost 60% of the population is Catholic, with a small
percentage of Orthodox and other Christians, Muslims, and over 20% who do not
choose to specify their religious affiliation, if any.
Page Fourteen - Slovenia: Postojna Cave and Lake Bled
Postojna Cave entrance in Slovenia, a 12-mile underground
cavern that is considered one of the best karst limestone formations
in the world. We toured here before traveling on to Ljubljana, Slovenia.
The cave is the top tourist attraction in Slovenia.
From the entrance to the cave, we initially took a train ride into the
cavern, before continuing on foot on walkways. It was cool in the
cave, so a sweater was necessary. Those without one regretted it.
After spending a night in Ljubljana, we took a day trip to
the Lake Bled area.
Bled Castle, overlooking Lake Bled
and the town of Bled, is on top of the cliff on the right.
Bled Castle has existed in various forms for about 1000 years. It was initially
the seat of the Austrian Bishops of Brixen who controlled Bled in the Middle
Ages. Today it is a mainly a tourist attraction with great views.
View of Blejski Island (locals call it The Island)
on Lake Bled from Bled Castle.
The town of Bled is on the east end of 1.5 mile long Lake Bled.
St. Martin's Church in Bled is in the background. There is a
walkway around the lake.
Closeup view of St. Martin's Church. Note the boat in the water,
called a pletna boat. They do not allow motorized boats on
Lake Bled. We took a pletna boat, similar to a gondola, to
visit The Island.
Bled Castle and St. Martin's Church with a swan in the foreground,
as seen from the walkway around the lake.
We stopped for a snack before taking a pletna boat to The Island.
These and other birds quickly showed up to munch on what we
did not eat.
Our guide Zvone chatting with two of our group -
great view in the background
Tito's former villa in the background with a pletna boat
in the foreground heading toward The Island. Photo taken
from the Island. Before WWII, this villa was the summer residence
for the Yugoslav royal family. When Tito became ruler of Yugoslavia,
he took over the villa and had it renovated using plans from the famous
Slovenian architect Joze Plecnik. Tito often entertained international
guests here, including Indira Gandhi and Nikita Khrushchev. Now
it is a classy hotel.
Group shot on the stairs leading from the dock to top of The Island.
On Saturdays in the summer, there is a steady procession of brides
and grooms. It is tradition for the groom to carry, or attempt to carry,
his bride up the 99 steps to the Church of the Assumption on top.
Other than the views, The Island's main attraction is the church. An 8th
century Slavic pagan temple dedicated to the goddess of love and
fertility once was here. Now there is a Baroque style church. The bell
tower is separate from the church.
Inside the church
There is a rope hanging near the altar. Local superstition is that, if you can
pull the rope to get the bell to ring 3 times, your dreams will come true.
View of Bled from Bled Castle
Another view of Bled and Lake Bled from
Bled Castle
Woman decorating cookies at a shop below the restaurant
where we ate lunch
Owner of restaurant where we had lunch
Young boy riding his bicycle
The Julian Alps rise up behind Lake Bled.
Link to Page Fifteen - Ljubljana
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