Tag: castle

Postcards from Around the World

If you ever decide to visit Slovenia (and I recommend that you do) then Lake Bled is a must, located in the Julian Alps in the Gorenjska region of Slovenia, not far from the Austrian and Italian borders. The circumference of the lakeside is an easy flat 6km stroll with beautiful views in every direction.

A castle view of Lake Bled and the island with the Church of the Assumption (which demands a climb up the 99 stone-step staircase).

The fairy-tale castle is perched atop a limestone cliff towering 130 metres above the lake and also worth a visit. It’s a steep climb up there, but the views from the top are far reaching.

The castle is an interesting medieval fortress dating back to 1004 and was extended and fortified in the Middle Ages though extensively damaged by an earthquake in 1511. It was rebuilt much the same as we see it today with the castle buildings decorated with the images of coats-of-arms, painted in fresco technique, some are engraved in stone.

The castle was restored between 1951 and 1961 and the Bled Castle Printing Works was integrated in the building for servants at the lower courtyard, and the castle wine cellar has also been added slightly higher.

Nowadays there are exhibitions and cultural events held in the tower gallery and the castle courtyard.

There is a shop, a museum and a restaurant as well as a preserved Gothic chapel in the upper courtyard, dedicated to Bishop St Albuin and St Ingenuin.

It was built in the 16th century; a baroque image was added to it at the end of the 17th century and was decorated with illusionist frescoes.

Day Three

The theme for Becky’s  April Squares challenge is ‘top’ 

    1. On Top of the World – summit, crown, peak or uppermost part of something
    2. Under the Big Top – topping or covering (or if you’re really lucky circus)
    3. Room at the Top – first or highest in position
    4. Cherry on Top – something made even more wonderful by becoming square
    5. Top and Tail – or maybe you’d prefer to play around with word combinations such as top dog, top stitch, top full, top line, top fruit, top hat, top secret, top knot, top drawer and top dollar!
on top of the world Bled Castle

The castle at Bled, Slovenia, can be reached up a steep route from the Castle beach, or slightly less tortuous routes by road from behind the Bledec hostel. The castle offers magnificent views and is an interesting medieval fortress, well worth the effort of getting there.

And in case you can’t quite visualise it, here is a non-square photo showing the castle on the top right.

Lake Bled

April Squares | Day Three

Time x Square

Time for another square month hosted by the lovely Becky. The photos don’t necessarily have to be of a timepiece, but are open to interpretation to reflect time in some way, or sayings such as ‘the passing of time’, ‘a stitch in time’, or time running away from you.

Day 19: The Golden Hour 

To join in with the Squares challenge please visit Becky for instructions. Remember the only proper rule is that the photo must be SQUARE.

December Squares | Day Nineteen

A Black and White Sunday

the modern entrance to the castle viewed from the edge of the outer ward.

Dinefwr Castle is a Welsh castle overlooking the River Tywi near the town of Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It lies on a ridge on the northern bank of the Tywi, with a steep drop of one hundred feet to the river.Wikipedia