The iconic Cave of Postonja and Predjama Castle, Slovenia

Postojna Cave, Slovenia
Postojna Cave, Slovenia

Today was our first full day in Slovenia and it has already made a big impression on us!  You can’t help but be impressed by the amazing natural phenomena of the Postojna Cave System that has become an iconic tourist draw for this country and we were mesmerized by the history and beauty surrounding the Predjama Castle.

Yesterday we left our apartment in Venice and drove to Slovenia where we spent the day swimming, lounging and sightseeing around the beautiful, Slovenian town of Piran. It is a sea side village known for its salt pans that produce the local famed salts through an interesting bio dynamic process.  The town has a bit of an Italian feel to it as it was Italian territory prior the end of world war II so I could still use my Italian here as my Slovenian is even more limited. Only a short 30 minute walk away is the famous resort town of Portoroz but we will we have to return to see it on another day as we ran out time to explore. We had to make our way for check in at our apartment in the capital city of Llublijana, Slovenia and we didn’t get in until mid evening as is. I’ll do a full post on Piran and Portoroz at a later date. 

Piran, Slovenia
Piran, Slovenia

Today was our first full day in Slovenia and we got up and out the door by 10am to head for Slovenia’s famed Postojna Caves and the Predjama Castle, what an amazing day it was!  The Cave is stunning, it is part of a 23.340m long karst cave system near the town of Postojna and is the second longest cave system in all of Slovenia created from the flow of the Pivka River  attracting tourists from all over the world. 

Postojna Cave
Postojna Cave

You start your decent into the cave via a small train/tram that travels 2km down and into the cave system, then you get off and walk on foot for about an hour with a guide that explains the creation and habit of the cave. You walk through miles of Stalactites and stalagmites, Spaghetti formations and pillars that take 30 years to grow by 1mm creating an otherworldly place.  The tour takes a little over an hour and half to explore and left us amazed at what we had just had the opportunity to see, unbelievable sights that made a big impression.  Here is a video so you can see a bit of what we saw.

After the cave we drove 9km up the road to see Predjama Castle which was part of the ticket package we bought for Postojna.  The Castle is in the world book of records for being the largest one built into a cave, in the world and has remained impenetrable over thousands of years of history. When we entered the castle we were given headsets that explained the castle room by room bringing the entire place to life through its explanations and stories. It was a great tour and very interesting place to visit, as well we enjoyed the surrounding country that is so lush and green.

Predjama Castle
Predjama Castle

We left Predjama and drove through some of the countryside, winding our way through some quaint villages until we reached the highway and made our way to the airport to pick up my dad.  His home country is Slovenia and he is very excited to show the four of us some of  his heritage and the beauty of this country, I think hes also looking forward to showing off his grand kids to his friends and family also.  It will be a special experience for all of us.  The kids will be here for another 5 days and then Janet and I will spend another 10 days with dad touring Slovenia.

2 Comments

  • Anonymous

    June 9, 2017 at 6:28 am Reply

    Aw, have a fabulous time! So glad the kids are able to tour Slovenia with you and a uncle Louis! Special memories indeed!

    • Mark

      July 2, 2017 at 8:19 am Reply

      It was great having dad show us and the kids his homeland, memories for all!

Leave a Reply