Bled Lake Church Interior, Slovenia

Bled Lake church interior welcomes visitors with a breathtaking display of light and golden Baroque art. The polished stone floor reflects the soft light from the high windows. Two rows of warm wooden pews guide your eyes directly toward the sanctuary. On the left wall, a richly decorated wooden pulpit stands out with its intricate gold details. A massive crystal chandelier hangs elegantly from the vaulted ceiling to complete the historic atmosphere.

The magnificent main altar dates back to 1747. It features rich gilding and a famous wooden statue of the Virgin Mary. Two smaller side altars also line the walls of the nave.

This historic church attracts thousands of visitors every year for several unique reasons:

• The Wishing Bell: A rope hangs in front of the main altar. Visitors pull it to ring the bell in the tower and make a secret wish.

• Ancient Roots: Archaeologists discovered traces of prehistoric and Roman settlements beneath the current building.

• The Baroque Redesign: The church received its current form after a powerful earthquake damaged the original Gothic building in the 17th century.

Copyright Milan Hutera, 2014. All Rights Reserved.