HISTORY OF OUR HOTEL

Beginnings in 1906…

Znamenito leto 1906

Hotel Triglav Bled was built by the then-Mayor of Bled Jakob Peternelj. It was officially opened in 1906. That year, Bled not only saw the opening of a new hotel in a unique location, but also that of a rail connection with Vienna. Thus, the tragic Archduke Franz Ferdinand visited Bled by train in the same year. Hotel Triglav Bled was very proud to have hosted the archduke, who enjoyed the views across the lake while dining here. Also in 1906, Bled officially received the status of Tourist Attraction and was proclaimed a resort and important town for tourism by the National Council in Ljubljana.

Ownership over the years

When the Mayor’s daughter Marija Peternelj married Ivan Kenda, the management of the hotel passed to the Kendas. Ivan Kenda had bold plans for the hotel. He increased the hotel grounds substantially and modernised its infrastructure. However, his ambitious plans indebted him considerably, and thus, the Kenda’s ownership passed to the Co-operative Commercial Bank in 1937. Later it was bought at auction by Zdravko Rus. The hotel was inherited by Zdravko’s sister, Ivanka Rus Trnka. The Second World War and years of nationalisation followed. During this time, the hotel was owned by the state and didn’t fulfill its function. After a lengthy denationalisation process, the Hotel Triglav Bled was finally returned to the surviving child of its owner – Jana I. Trnka, the daughter of Ivana Trnka. Jana Trnka passed the ownership of the hotel on to Danja and Zdravko Rus, who are the present owners and Zdravko is the grandson of the original, pre-war owner.

Rebirth

The present owners dedicated themselves to a complete refurbishment of the hotel, reviving its original appearance and restoring its soul after a long period of neglect. The facade boasts beautifully preserved geometric elements in the original Alpine Secessionist style. These geometric features are wonderfully repeated in the plant ornaments in the interior. In the lobby, guests are greeted by the famous 1930s August Förster concert piano whose sound enthralled the audience at the second Bled Jazz Festival in 1961. All spaces feature antique items that whisk you back in time: old suitcases, furniture, porcelain and so on, while the walls are home to numerous old photographs and masterpieces by renowned painters.

A popular place for a break

Hote Triglav Bledl has always been popular with guests who appreciate friendliness, top-quality service and cuisine and the unique location. Due to its immediate proximity to the lake, the hotel has been closely connected with rowers from its opening to the present day. In the hotel’s very first year, rowing regatta competitors stayed in the hotel. Even today, many Slovene and foreign rowers are also among the regular guests.