Legatova hiša

Lesce is a village on the plain below Bled, in the Upper Sava valley, and like most settlements in the Gorenjska region, it grew from farms and houses laid out along the old roads. Legatova hiša, Legat's House, is one of the older buildings in the village, and it is an example of the rural architecture of Upper Carniola, in a form that was common among prosperous farming families before the nineteenth century. The house is generally dated to the seventeenth century, though like many old buildings, it has been altered and repaired over time, so its present appearance combines older and later elements.

The traditional house of the Gorenjska plain has a recognisable character. The ground floor is built of stone and plastered white, with small windows and thick walls that keep the interior cool in summer and warm in winter, while the upper floor, in many cases, is of timber, with a balcony or gallery running along the front. A steep, wide roof, originally covered with wooden shingles and later with clay tiles, overhangs the walls to throw off snow and rain, and the whole building is arranged around a central hallway and a large kitchen. Barns and outbuildings were often attached or placed nearby, so that people, animals and stores were close together. Legatova hiša reflects this tradition, and a visitor who walks past can see how local builders used stone, wood and lime to make a house that would last for generations.

The house is a private or municipal property and is not typically open for regular tours, so visitors usually enjoy it from the outside, as part of a walk through the village. The area around it, with its gardens, orchards and views toward the mountains, gives a sense of how the village has changed and how it has kept part of its character. Because details of the house and its history are known mainly locally, it is worth asking at the tourist office in Bled or Radovljica about any events, such as heritage days, when buildings of this kind are opened to the public.

Lesce has a few other points of interest to combine with the walk. The Church of the Assumption of Mary is the main church of the village, Španova hiša is another old house, and the Beekeeping Education Centre of Gorenjska introduces the local beekeeping tradition. The Gorenjka chocolate factory, Bowling City Lesce, the Lesce Alpine Sports Airfield and the Šobec Campsite on the Sava river offer other activities. Bled is only a few minutes away by car, and Radovljica has a charming old town with museums, so a visit to Lesce makes a pleasant extra on a day in the area.