PRESENTATION

Družba sv. Martina d.o.o. was established on 18 January 2005 by Župnija Bled (Bled Parish) for management of Bled Island and is wholly owned by the parish.

The company was primarily formed for the purpose of improving the management of Bled Island. It has made a Contract of Lease with Župnija Bled for carrying out business activities such as sale of souvenirs, a restaurant, exhibitions etc. The parish wants the management and the company's operations to be transparent as required by the principles of modern economy.

The logotype has been designed to illustrate the Company’s name and its activities.

                  It shows St. Martin still dressed as a Roman soldier wearing a military coat. Legend has it that on a cold winter’s day, St. Martin in front of the town gate at Amiens cut his military coat into two pieces, giving one to a beggar suffering from cold. That night he was visited by Jesus wearing the half of the coat St. Martin had given to the beggar. Jesus told him: “Whatever you did unto one of the least, you did unto me.” 

                  The company Družba sv. Martina was founded by Župnija Bled (Parish of Bled), whose patron saint is St. Martin. It was founded for the purpose of preserving the cultural heritage of our ancestors. Our efforts are reflected in the renovation works on the island and on the buildings located there, which are presented in a stylised form as the principal motif of the logotype.

                  Another part of the Slovenian cultural heritage which has often been overlooked is our Christian values. Honesty, kindness, helpfulness and selflessness are represented in the red coat that the Company’s staff have designed for the island and its visitors. St. Martin as an eager protector of true faith is an ideal example and represents a counterweight to the capitalism-oriented society.

                  The island itself, which has been designed in the logotype as arms emanating warmth, also symbolizes a safe haven. The church which is dedicated to the Holy Virgin, the Queen of Slovenian hearts, invites the faithful to climb the stairs of prayer, ordeal and suffering to reach the truth, salvation and life which are reflected in the gold colour of the Sun.

                  The element of water refreshes and cleanses. It is a reminder of the sacrament of baptism as the beginning of everything, and is also a direct connection with the lake and the island.

RENOVATION WORKS

The first stage of the renovation works has been completed. The works were carried out by Gradbeno podjetje Bohinj under the supervision of Mag. Nika Leben of the Institute for Protection of the Cultural Heritage. The church roof has been given new battens, tiles and gutters, with the lightning conductor and the copper sections of the roof having been renewed as well. Since there is rather large number of roof tiles left, the roof covering on the Hermitage, i.e. the smaller building behind the church (on the western side) will be replaced as well.
Fully worn out were the paths on the island which had to be renovated as well (including the fences and wooden sections of the paths)