Assumption of Maria Church
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What people say
Pedro Pereira
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"The island where the church stands was originally a pagan cultic center during the Bronze Age. Archaeological evidence like wooden wheels and jewelry have been found submerged in the lake. By the 9th century, a church dedicated to Mary already stood on the island. The current church's foundations were laid in the 15th century, with renovations and additions continuing into the 17th century.
The Church of the Assumption of Mary has long been a popular pilgrimage site for Catholics, particularly those seeking blessings for fertility and childbirth. Visitors can participate in the tradition of ringing the wishing bell inside the church, said to grant wishes upon a successful 99-step climb to the church.
The only way to reach the church is by taking a traditional pletna boat, a gondola-like wooden boat with a boatman steering at the stern. There's a small entrance fee to visit the church."
Nally Preseault
"A chapel has stood atop Bled Island since at least the 7th or 8th century. It was rebuilt many times over before the current shrine, the Assumption of Maria Church (Cerkev Marijinega Vnebovzetja), was built in the 17th century. The church has a freestanding bell tower, Gothic frescoes and a lighthouse, statues, stone alters, and a wishing bell. Weddings, in which it's considered good luck for the groom to carry his bride up the 99 stone steps to get to the church, are frequently held here.
Note: Though it's free to visit Bled Island, there's an entrance fee for the church, the bell tower, and the exhibition in the Provost’s House. This is in addition to the pletna ride."
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Charmaine Poh
"Fees are required to access the church and clock tower. We didn't pay for this and took a walk around the outer ground instead, there was more than enough to see and photograph! Take note if you have mobility issues as there were quite a number of steps to climb just to get to the top."
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About Assumption of Maria Church
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