What is Postojna Cave in Slovenia?
One of Slovenia‘s major tourist attractions is the Postojna Cave. It represents one of the largest caves in Europe and the most beautiful natural gem of Slovenia. It took many years for this natural attraction to become what it is today. When we say many years, we mean millions of years.
A large number of tourists from different parts of the world have a desire to traverse the path that has been forming for 2 million years and to visit the underground world – the underground paradise of Slovenia. Postojna Cave in Slovenia is interesting for all ages, from the youngest to adult tourists.
Balkland’s main goal is to take you on Balkan trips that showcase the beauty and mysteries of the Balkans. That’s why one of the important destinations that we will visit together is Postojna Cave.
Water acting on limestone rocks filled with calcium carbonate formed the Postojna Cave. Over the years, the Pivka River has gradually dissolved the rocks and expanded the space, creating larger and more complex cave sections.
It is over 24 kilometers long and has underground channels and several halls. Some of the main halls include the Great Hall, the Concert Hall of Pleasures, and the White Hall. The cave serves not only for exploration and admiration of this natural wonder but also hosts various events within its walls over the last 180 years. For example, many couples have decided to utter their fateful “yes” to their partner right in this place. Quite fairy-tale-like, isn’t it?
Due to its natural beauty, the Postojna Cave has so far attracted 35 million tourists from around the world. Now, tickets for cave tours are much more affordable and cheaper compared to the early days. In 1819, tourists were able to step into this underground paradise for the first time, and the tour was quite different from what it is now. Specifically, even though the ticket was much more expensive back then, the tour lasted only as long as your candle burned. Candles were very expensive at that time, so the tour itself wasn’t long.
Post office At the Foot Of Postojna Cave
Imagine people coming to work deep inside a cave, surrounded by stalagmites and various wildlife. That’s precisely what visitors could witness in Postojna Cave in 1899. That year, the first post office was opened within the cave.
The employees in this office weren’t idle. On the contrary, they had plenty of work to do. On April 15, 1924, it was recorded that as many as 78 thousand postcards were sent from this post office!
Fun fact: Flash photography is not allowed inside Postojna Cave. The reason for this is to prevent the growth of moss and algae.
Luka Čeč – The Unknown Discoverer of Postojna Cave
Luka Čeč was a worker who, during his regular working hours in 1818, changed the further history of this part of Slovenia. Namely, Luka, along with other workers, was preparing the Great Hall for the arrival of the Austrian emperor when he went where none of the workers were supposed to go and discovered the Postojna Cave.
“This is a new world, this is paradise!”, Luka Čeč, discoverer of Postojna Cave
Until the mid-19th century, locals credited the discovery of Postojna Cave to a local treasurer, while Luka Čeč continued to diligently work in its depths, remaining an anonymous discoverer of Postojna Cave until his death.
Brilliant
Walking and exploring Postojna Cave in Slovenia is a true adventure during which you will discover many stories and secrets of this cave. What Mother Nature has decided to gift and show us is a stalagmite that irresistibly resembles a diamond.
Water dripping from the cave ceiling formed this stalagmite known as the Diamond through a lengthy process of mineral deposition. Each of these drops brings with it small amounts of calcium carbonate as we mentioned at the beginning of our blog, which gradually crystallizes.
This white and shiny Diamond is 5 meters in size and is one of the main symbols of Postojna Cave. Water droplets falling on it continue to create a thin layer of calcium, making the Diamond more beautiful every day.
The Human Fish – Symbol of Postojna Cave
Apart from its unusual name, the Human Fish garners attention for its appearance and lifestyle. They can be found in underground waters and, due to their rarity, they represent a true symbol of Postojna Cave in Slovenia.
The Human Fish bears the Latin name Proteus anguinus and earns the moniker “baby dragon” due to its resemblance to a dragon hatchling in appearance. This creature has white and unpigmented skin and a slender body that allows it to absorb food from the water in its environment. Surprisingly, they have no eyes, but over the years, they have adapted to the harsh living conditions, so the absence of eyes doesn’t pose a major problem for them.
Those harsh living conditions have taught them resilience to hunger as well. Human Fish can endure up to 10 years without food and water, and despite their sparse feeding, their lifespan is 100 years.
They have a total of 10 fingers and move with snake-like motions. Due to their appearance and entirely different way of life, baby dragons are of interest to many researchers and are observed daily.
On one of the unforgettable days of the Balkan trip, you can see the Human Fish yourself and admire its appearance as well as its unusual way of life. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the Balkans in its full light and embark on an unforgettable journey with Balkland!
Predjama Castle in the Guinness Book of World Records
If you thought this story about the Balkan countries and their beauties would go without mentioning another castle, you were mistaken. Slovenia also has a very significant castle, namely Predjama Castle, situated below which lies Postojna Cave.
They built the castle above Postojna Cave to facilitate an easier escape if the castle were to come under siege. Erazmo of Predjama ruled over this fortress, and today, the castle stands transformed into a museum that showcases medieval life within its walls.
They erected Predjama Castle in the 12th century, and it now holds a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest cave castle in the world!
Touring the Cave by Train
Earlier, Postojna Cave was explored on foot. Tourists had to cover a whole 24 kilometers to see everything this cave has to offer. It was overly strenuous and difficult, so at one point, they decided to build a railway with wagons. It represented the world’s first railway in a cave.
Fifty-three years after the opening of Postojna Cave in Slovenia to tourists, authorities decided to open a railway. The goal was to facilitate access and exploration for visitors, and each wagon could accommodate four visitors.
Did you know? Stalagmites in Postojna Cave should not be touched to avoid disturbing the natural growth process of these mineral formations.
Afterward, they intensively made efforts to improve and enhance the railway and wagons. Eventually, a gasoline locomotive capable of pulling 20 passengers was introduced, followed by a locomotive with seating for up to 150 passengers.
Improvements to the locomotive didn’t stop there. After World War II, two battery-powered electric locomotives were purchased. At that time, Postojna Cave could accommodate a total of 2,100 visitors, but even that wasn’t enough space as demand was high, leading to the construction of a circular track.
Conclusion
So far, the beauty of stalactites and stalagmites has inspired awe in as many as 35 million people, and you could be one of those who will visit this natural wonder – Postojna Cave.
Whether the dazzling brilliance of the Diamond, the mysterious depth where the Human Fish resides, or the magnificent beauty of Postojna Cave fully immerse you, one thing is certain – this Balkan trip will leave an indelible mark in your memory!
Balkland takes you on a journey through the beauties of the Balkans that you will see in 13 days of an unforgettable Balkan trip! Reserve your spot and visit the Balkan countries.
Hi, I’m Mike—co-founder of Balkland and your on-the-ground tour leader. I’m involved from the first message to the final farewell, making sure everything feels effortless and every day feels designed around you.