Church of St. Martin
Bled, Slovenia
The Church of St. Martin is a postcard-worthy neo-Gothic parish church, located steps from Lake Bled, which blends in with its surreally pretty surroundings. Its noteworthy architecture and art ranges from the preserved 15th-century walls to a small outdoor shrine designed by renowned Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik. It’s a working church that hosts Mass daily, and a lovely place to visit when the front door’s open.
The basics
The Church of St. Martin is on the outskirts of Bled, moments from Lake Bled and Bled Castle. It’s easily accessible on foot from the town center, making it a convenient stop during a day of sightseeing—you can easily see the church’s Gothic, whitewashed exterior on a stroll around the area and the lake. Walking tours and occasional medieval-themed guided tours often stop outside the building. The church is sometimes closed outside of scheduled Mass
Things to know before you go
Consider visiting during scheduled Mass or a church concert, so you can see the interior. Wear respectful attire, as the church is an active place of worship. The church hosts Mass at least once a day, every day. If the church is closed outside of Mass, try to peek inside the front door to see the art and architecture.
How to get there
The Church of St. Martin lies on the outskirts of the town of Bled at the end of Riklijeva cesta. It’s about half a mile (one kilometer) on foot from the center of Bled and steps from the shores of the lake and Bled Castle. Walking is the easiest way to get there, and should take no more than 15 minutes from central Bled.
When to get there
There isn’t really a bad time to visit such a beautiful church in a delightful town, but warmer spring and summer months are better for enjoying the outdoor shrine and lake, while winter can provide a serene, snow-covered backdrop. Visit during Mass for a full experience—it’s typically held mornings and evenings on Sundays, and once a day on weekdays and Saturdays.
Jože Plečnik and the Church of St. Martin’s shrine
Casual travelers might not be familiar with Jože Plečnik, the celebrated Slovenian architect who designed the garden shrine in front of the church. In addition to creating the shrine, Plečnik influenced modern architecture in Vienna, Prague, and Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. His notable works in Ljubljana include the National and University Library and parts of the Triple Bridge spanning the Ljubljanica River.
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