Pletna latest addition to Slovenia's intangible cultural heritage

Building and handling Pletna boats is a skill passed on from one generation to another and an established local tradition popular among visitors of the Bled lakeside resort.

The Bled island was a pilgrimage site already in the 12th century, with locals setting up piers and transporting people to the island. Even back then, they used boats they built themselves.

In the 18th century Habsburg dominions ruler Maria Theresa granted local farmers the rights to perform lake transports as a source of some extra money.

This typical Bled activity has stayed alive until today due to the development of tourism, with the shape of the Pletna boat changing over time.

The current form was designed by the locals at the turn of the 19th century, based on similar boats which were used on central European lakes.

After the First World War, an awning was added to...

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