Postojna might seem as though it was plucked out of a storybook, with its enchanting fairy-tale castle and a spooky underground system of tunnels filled with cave-dwelling creatures and otherworldly formations.
Ride the train past stalagmites through miles of illuminated tunnels in the Postojna CavesOpens in a new window. Venture through the labyrinth of natural wonders to reach the fantastic White Hall. The highlight is the Brilliant stalagmite, which lives up to its name as a glorious white formation gleaming with water.
At the northern end of the cave system is the Predjama CastleOpens in a new window. Snap photos of the simple white façade of this building, which stands in the mouth of a cave. Learn its legend of a rebel knight who hid from the Austrian Emperor for a year and a day in this castle. He allegedly threw cherries at invading forces to taunt them. Show your kids the ceiling holes used to pour boiling oil on attackers. Beside the ticket booth is a restaurant that also has lodging rooms with views of the castle.
Wander through the charming town crowned by Slovenia’s typical red-tiled rooftops. Visit the parish church or the town cemetery. Make your way southeast to pay your respects at the mass grave of unidentified bodies from World War II.
The town experiences warm summers and very cold winters, when the cave entrances and castle are often covered in snow. Explore the green hilly terrain for a picnic in summer or visit cozy restaurants in the cooler months.
Postojna is located in the valley of the Pivka River in western Slovenia’s Inner Carniola region. The town is 29 miles (46.7 kilometers) east from Trieste and 43 miles (70.9 kilometers) northeast from PortorožOpens in a new window. Fly to Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport and drive southwest for 45 minutes to reach the town.
The historic castle and the geological formations in the caves of Postojna make for a fascinating trip through natural and cultural history.
