Church of the Assumption in Bled, Slovenia

Getting To the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Maria

The easiest and most convenient way to reach Slovenia is to fly. Book your flight to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, via Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (Airport Code: LJU). From there, you can take a variety of transport to get to Bled:

• By rental car, which is the most convenient way. You will get there in less than an hour.

• By bus from Ljubljana Bus Station [PR A22 6345 2 (59598)], which takes 1.5 hours.

• By train from Ljubljana Train Station to Lesce Bled which takes 40 minutes.

Once arriving in Bled, it would not be too difficult to find the lake itself and once you have found the lake, you have found the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Maria.

Where to see the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Maria

This church has so many vantage points to it. First and foremost, you can hire a canoe from a lake vendor and actually paddle your way to the church island for a small fee. You can also walk the entire perimeter of Lake Bled to get close and far away shots of the church. Specifically, along the lake edge, check out the viewpoints at Razgledna točka, Veslaška Promenada, the Mala Osojnica Trailhead, and the Vila Bled and Hotel Jelovica accommodations.

Numerous photos of the church are also depicted from higher elevations, which you are also able to access yourself. There are various hikes you can take that give you great views of the entire town. These hikes are quite popular but best taken at sunrise, but bear in mind that quite a few other tourists have this idea as well, so I’m not so sure when the best time to go would be.

Three such hikes include:

1. Ojstrica - 611 meters, 20 minutes from Zaka camping.

2. Mala Osojnica - 670 meters, 35 minutes from Zaka camping.

3. Velika Osojnica- 756 meters, 65 minutes from Zaka camping.

All hikes start at the parking lot at Zaka camping, on the West side of the lake, near Bled Island. From this area, there is a path that leads into the forest that leads you to a larger path which veers right. Eventually you will see a sign for the Ojstrica viewpoint at which point you will take a right. Just a few minutes later, you’ll reach the viewpoint. Signposts to Mala Osojnica can be seen once you reach the Ojstrica viewpoint and you will eventually be led to a few benches and sweeping views of the Lake. From there, signposts to Velika Osojnica will guide you to that viewpoint.

Getting back to the Zaka camping parking area from here can be slightly treacherous depending on if the area has experienced rain recently. You must cross this steep slope, go down metal stairs, and then take a narrow path along a wooden fence until you reach a road. From here, you take a footpath back. Some people avoid this by descending the same way they ascending via the two viewpoints.

When to see the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Maria

Obviously one would imagine that the best time to see the church would be in either mid to late autumn or in late spring and early summer. I also would definitely not count out winter as well. A sunny winter day with snow already on the ground gives you that great, warm light and pure white landscape, coupled together with the church facade, it’s a great combination.

In terms of sunrises and sunsets, you will want to be on the west side of the island church for the sunrise, around Veslaška Promenada and the Mala Osojnica Trailhead, and on the east side of the island church for the sunset, by Vila Bled and Hotel Jelovica, along with points further east on Lake Bled.

Photography

I think all of your lenses will serve you well when photographing the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption in Bled. I would start by using my telephoto lens, focal length greater than 200 mm, on the east side of Lake Bled. You can zoom in and take a good shot of the church with the forest backdrop on the other side of the lake.

Then as you migrate closer to the church island, either clockwise or counter-clockwise (I did the former), you can switch to a lens of a medium focal length, something around 70-200 mm. Again, as the vantage point of the church continually changes, you are getting entirely unique photographic spaces.

When you get to the coastline that is closest to the church, go with an even lower focal length, perhaps even a wide angle lens but you can also save this for when you are on the island itself.

One thing that I didn’t expect though was how many drones were flying over the church when I had arrived. With my drone, there were four drones in the skies near the church and thankfully, no accidents that occurred. This is such a popular place for drone pilots that I do not envision drone traffic here subsiding anytime soon. Nonetheless, drone flying here is legal, just ensure you follow the typically EU rules on drone flights.

For me, I usually do a nice 360 degree video orbit around the church, and observe where I should stop the drone to capture unique scenes, and continue on with the orbit until I reach my starting point.

Purchasing Photos

Conclusion and Further Resources

The Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Maria is one of the most popular photo locations in Slovenia. After Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, Soča River Valley and other destinations, this church should be on your list when visiting Slovenia for photography. Here is the homepage for the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Maria.

If you like other destinations in Slovenia, check out my related blog posts below!

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