Old postcards of Bled Castle

On the first floor of the museum building, visitors can explore an exciting exhibition of old postcards featuring Bled Castle. The exhibition is a collaboration between the Bled Culture Institute, the historian and ethnologist Janez Fajfar and the Anton Tomaž Linhart Library Radovljica, Unit Bled.

Bled Castle, one of Slovenia's most iconic landmarks, has long been a source of inspiration for artists, photographers and tourists. Thanks to its amazing position on a cliff above Lake Bled and rich history, the castle was often portrayed on postcards, which began to appear in the second half of the 19th century with the development of tourism in Bled. For over a century, Bled Castle was a popular subject on postcards which were a great tool for promoting tourism and culture. Castle postcards have captured historical changes over time, reflecting advancements in printing techniques and artistic approaches to design.

Janez Fajfar, historian and ethnologist, talks about the exhibition: “Given that Bled was hailed as 'an image of paradise' by Slovenia's greatest poet, France Prešeren, it comes as no surprise that the first postcard mailed from the Slovenian territory was post-stamped here in 1889. The emerald-green alpine lake, the ancient pilgrim church on the island, the 1000-year-old castle on the cliff above the lake, fast-growing health tourism and the awakening of the national consciousness inspired many painters and photographers to create postcards featuring images of the most beautiful place in the country.”

Even now postcards of Bled Castle are an important part of the tourist offering, showcasing the current image of the castle and its surroundings, enhancing its popularity, and placing Slovenia on the global tourist map.