Lake Bled

A lake of mixed glacial and tectonic origin, 2,120 metres long and 1,380 wide, 29.5 metres at its deepest, with a small island in it and a medieval castle standing above the northern shore. It was an important cult centre in the Bronze Age: gold appliqués from the thirteenth or twelfth century BC were found in a deposit by the shore, their embossed decoration thought to represent the solar and lunar years, with parallels in Switzerland, Bavaria and Hungary. The World Rowing Championships have been held here four times, most recently in 2011.