What is it about a castle that casts a spell over us? Shrouded in fairytales, natural landscapes, intricate architecture and legends to boot, these places offer wonder, excitement, curiosity and awe. Europe has numerous castles stretching from Portugal to Poland, but have you ever heard of a castle built within a cave mouth? Welcome to Predjama Castle in south-central Slovenia, the largest cave castle in the world. This impregnable mediaeval marvel has been perched in the middle of a 123-metre-high cliff for more than 800 years.
Here’s your guide to uncovering the wonders of Predjama Castle.
Just a a few kilometres from the entrance to the Postojna Cave—the second-longest cave system in the country as well as one of Slovenia’s top tourist attractions—Predjama Castle was first mentioned in 1274 when it exhibited a Gothic appearance. The abbots of Aquileia built it into an overhanging rock in front of a karst cave hall and connected it with a cave system underneath the castle. The building was later acquired and expanded by the Luegg noble family, also known as the Knights of Adelsberg.
The castle is most famously associated with the legend of the 15th-century robber knight Erazem Predjamski, who, after a dispute with Austrian emperor Frederick III, successfully resisted the besiegers of the castle for more than a year. He was betrayed by one of his servants who lit a candle in the window of Erazem’s room, leading his enemies to pelt him with stone bullets. Much like how the character of Tywin Lannister from the television show “Game of Thrones” met his death while in the toilet, Erazem is reported to have died in the same place. His grieving partner is said to have buried his body in front of the castle’s Church of the Sorrowful Mother of God, and planted a linden tree on it, which still stands there today and is known for its venerable age and hollow trunk. The small Gothic church was recently renovated; its main attractions are frescoes from the 15th century and a Baroque altar.
An earthquake in 1511 ruined the castle so in 1567, the Archduke of Austria invested in its renovation. The castle was rebuilt in the Renaissance style just under the overhanging rock where the old mediaeval fortress used to stand. The castle has remained in such form, virtually unchanged, until the present. Today, the building is a museum spread over five floors that shows life in the 16th century, with an armoury, dungeon, halls, living quarters and other castle facilities. Inside, you can see the renovated room of the main castle attic, in which many replicas of weapons from spears and halberds, to swords, war hammers, bows and crossbows are displayed. Entering the castle involves passing through a drawbridge but the original entrance was higher up where two faint doors can be glimpsed. They were reached via ladders that could be withdrawn quickly.
Every year in the summer the Erazem Mediaeval Tournament is organised and carried out according to documented historical facts and models from the 16th century. This international mediaeval event involves several different classes and generations—nobles, serfs and children. Bold knights, archers, swordsmen and horsemen show off their skills on a combat field. In the “Knights' Camp,” swordsmen introduce themselves, their equipment, and their mediaeval way of life while merchants and craftsmen sell mediaeval products. Flag throwers, belly dancers, magicians, puppet shows, musicians and other performers display their talents and re-enact historical events. A peasant festivity known as gauda is organised and tasty mediaeval food is prepared.
Predjama Castle has also had its brush with cinema. It and the Brežice Castle Knight's Hall were featured in the 1986 Kung-fu film “Armour of God” starring Jackie Chan. The building was also investigated for paranormal activity in a 2008 episode of “Ghost Hunters International” on the SYFY channel. Bestselling author George R. R. Martin has visited the castle as well.
This is the second longest Slovenian show cave spread out over four floors, all of which are interconnected except for Erazem's Hole and Erazem's Passage on the top floor. The total length of all the cave parts discovered so far is 14 kilometres. The tourist section is 700 metres long and includes the stables, the main passage, the great hall and the fiženca, where the exit to the surface is located.
Archaeological finds in the cave behind Predjama Castle testify that people already lived here in the Stone Age. Remains from Roman times were found in the entrance tunnel of the cave, called the “Horse Stable,” and signatures from the 16th century are on display in the “Name Tunnel.”
Adventure enthusiasts should not miss the opportunity to spelunk here from May to September, when the cave is open. There are tours for visitors who would like to visit cave sections that are closed for regular tours. This experience includes passing through challenging cave passages, breaking through water barriers and following in the footsteps of cave explorers. The tours take place in small groups, are accompanied by trained and experienced guides, and fall into three difficulty levels.
Keep in mind that there is no electric lighting inside the cave—visitors are provided with flashlights beforehand. Comfortable clothing and footwear is enough for a tour of the tourist section. On account of its location and pleasant temperatures, the cave is inhabited by a colony of bats during the winter. Thus, it is closed to visitors due to the bats' hibernation period.
This 24.34-kilometre-long karst cave system is just 10 kilometres from Predjama Castle. It was carved by the Pivka River over millions of years. There are stalagmites (like the magnificent five-metre-tall "Brilliant"), stalactites and formations called curtains or draperies that look like folded curtains. The caves are home to the endemic olm, the largest troglodytic amphibian in the world. Fondly known as “baby dragons,” olms can go without food for many years and have a lifespan of up to 100 years. The tour of Postojna Cave includes an aquarium with some olms in it. Because it is a horizontal cave, the first documented railway in an underground cave was set up here in 1872. The 3.7-kilometre-long journey on double tracks is not to be missed.
Take the train to Postojna Railway Station on the Vienna-Venice railway line with connections to Zagreb, Salzburg, Rijeka and Koper. You can also journey to Predjama Castle by car from Ljubljana which takes less than an hour. Ljubljana Jože Pučnik (LJU) is the nearest airport.