At more than 1,000 years old, Bled Castle, perched on a cliff above the emerald-green Lake Bled, has maintained close ties with the Central European space throughout history and has been a lively cultural hub to the present day. Here the present is intertwined with the past and future. Every year the castle plays host to a range of traditional events for people of all ages, which are woven into a tapestry of experiences and stories.
This year we will write a new, exciting story as Bled Castle opens its door to its first Historical Archery Tournament on 18 and 19 May 2024. Archers wearing medieval attire will compete in 3D and historical target shooting. A total of 18 targets will be set up on the stunning grounds of Bled Castle for both tournament events. The finals will take place on the laid-out terraces of the castle park grounds, where 6 targets will be erected. We believe that the archers as well as castle visitors will enjoy the new addition to the calendar of events which the Bled Culture Institute and its partners carry out at Bled Castle every year.
In addition to the tournament, an exhibition titled 'Franc Oblak Aci, Master Bowyer', will be held to celebrate an outstanding artisan, master bowyer and long-term archery competitor Franc Oblak Aci. The exhibition will open on 18 May 2024 at 19:00 at Bled Castle.
Franc Oblak Aci has loved working with wood since he was a child. Although he chose a different career path, he often returned to wood and wood working, especially bow making, which eventually became his second career. Thanks to the precious experience that Franci and his wife Doroteja acquired from competing at archery tournaments and through continuous studying and improving his knowledge, Franci Oblak has been awarded the title of master craftsman. His exquisite bows helped many top archers win medals at European and world championships.
The exhibition commemorating Franci’s 50-year-long career of master bowyer will be on display at Bled Castle from 1 May to 30 September 2024.
Photo: Roscoe Žerovec