It's impossible to miss the giant billboards advertising
two of Slovenia's biggest attractions: Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle.
two of Slovenia's biggest attractions: Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle.
Of course we had to "cave" and visit both of them on our drive back to Italy!
Predjama Castle
Predjama Castle was up first for a quick photo stop.
Unfortunately we couldn't visit the inside, due to our furry adventurers... Seeing the castle in person, I realized the photographs are deceiving. I was expecting some grand castle, but in reality it looked like a large home built into the side of a mountain and much smaller in real life. The castle was home to various noble families in the area before being turned into a museum. |
A tour of the castle might have made it more interesting,
but I'd hesitate driving all that way again for a photograph.
but I'd hesitate driving all that way again for a photograph.
Postojna Cave
Slovenia's most visited tourist attraction was first opened to the public back in 1819.
In almost two hundred years, a lot of things have changed!
In almost two hundred years, a lot of things have changed!
I had debated a visit to the less touristy Skocjan Caves nearby; however,
Postojna Cave offered on site dog kennel services FREE of charge.
Postojna Cave offered on site dog kennel services FREE of charge.
We arrived at the cave entrance 10 minutes before our assigned tour time. Once we scanned our tickets, we had a chance to rent a coat for the cold temperatures ahead, then we took a seat on the train. It remains a constant 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) inside the cave year round. It's a good idea to bring a fleece jacket! |
Guided tours are given in many different languages throughout the day.
Self-guided tours are not an option, because the cave is too large.
Self-guided tours are not an option, because the cave is too large.
Our tour guide was very informative, stopping a handful of times to explain
different parts of the cave and how they were formed.
different parts of the cave and how they were formed.
After crossing the Russian bridge, built by Russian POW's,
we were led to several of the most unique rooms in the cave.
we were led to several of the most unique rooms in the cave.
One last formation to behold was "The Brilliant", a pure white formation
that resembles a giant double scoop of melting ice cream.
This formation is the symbol of Postojna Cave.
At the end of the tour, we had a chance to view the "human fish" that live in the cave.
Postojna is home to the olm, an amphibious salamander that lives its entire life under water.
This endangered creature is transparent and completely blind.
This endangered creature is transparent and completely blind.
While the admission price was expensive, the cave proved to be so much more
than an overdeveloped tourist attraction.
After spending 90 minutes in complete awe, I can say it was money well spent!
than an overdeveloped tourist attraction.
After spending 90 minutes in complete awe, I can say it was money well spent!