Lake Bled (Blejsko jezero) is one of the main tourist attractions of Slovenia. The lake is relatively small (cca 1 hour of walk to get around it), but there is an even smaller island in it. The island can be reached with boats called "pletna", which are operated by human power only. On the island is the church of saint Mary. As stated in the brochure, given to the visitors, the legend says that the mourning young widow who lived at Bled castle gathered all her gold and silver and had a bell casted for the chapel on the island. When the bell was transported to the island, a tempest caused the boat to overturn. The boatmen drowned and the bell sank to the bottom of the lake. The young widow then entered a convent in Rome. After her death, the Pope donated a bell (casted in 1534, weight 178 kg) for the church on the island. The legend says that those who ring the bell and make a wish, will see their wish come true.

The most noticable and seen already from the lake shore is the freestanding 16th century church bell tower, 57 m high.