Bled Lake island stairs stand out beautifully in this black and white rendition. This monochrome style emphasizes the grand scale of the historic location. I took the photo from the bottom of the steps to highlight their rich, rugged texture. On the left, the charming Sexton’s House stands beside the path. A majestic tree on the right perfectly balances the composition against the clear, late afternoon sky.
This impressive southern staircase features 99 stone steps. Workers shaped them from local conglomerate rock centuries ago. Max Petschacher von und zum Schöffart built the stairs in 1655 during the Baroque renovation of the island. For generations, these steps have served as a path for pilgrims climbing up to the historic Church of the Assumption of Mary.
Today, the stairs are famous worldwide due to a romantic local wedding tradition:
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The Groom’s Challenge: A groom must carry his bride up all 99 steps to ensure a long, happy, and secure marriage.
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The Bride’s Rule: While being carried, the bride must remain completely silent.
I chose the monochrome look for this scene because of a classic landscape photographer’s curse. The afternoon delivered a completely clear sky and very soft light.
Copyright Milan Hutera, 2014. All Rights Reserved.
