Slovenia’s stunning cave-castle
Predjama castle is infamous for its outlandish position half way up a cliff. The name translates literally as ‘in front of the cave’.
According to the Guinness World Record book it is the largest cave castle in the world. Built by the Patriach of the Aquileia during the 13th century under an overhang, 123m up a sheer cliff face, it had an enviable reputation for its impregnability. Parts of the castle are thought also to date from earlier times.
Restoration of Predjama castle
The restoration of the castle began as recently as 1991. Although lovingly restored, the design of the castle is evocative of harsher times.
The castle has steep staircases, windowless small windows with little light and cold drafts. Its most famous incumbent was Erasmus of Predjama (Erazem) who with his knowledge of the surroundings and secret tunnels through the karst underground taunted his challengers. Even today parts of the castle design have still to be explored.
The architecture of the castle as seen today was designed in 1583 by a Count who added the entrance tower. There have been several owners since that time, the last being a family who used it as a hunting lodge.
The Karst landscape around Predjama and Postojna
The Predjama castle is built on ‘karst’, i.e. limestone foundations, like the nearby Postojna caves. It is unsurprising therefore that there are caves under and behind the castle too. The limestone formations are accessible in the summer months only as there are bats residing in the 14km long passages. These mammals hibernate in the winter months and require peace and quiet. Hence the closure of the caves in winter.
The magnificent Postojna cave walk. Superlatives don’t do it justice.
Bird-watching at Predjama castle
Finally, outside the castle, a small red and black bird called the ‘wall-creeper’ comes down from the high Alps to winter. The castle surroundings are considered some of the best areas to see the wall-creeper. As a result bird watchers are attracted to the area. This friendly bunch encouraged and guided us in our 1st bird-watching exercise in Slovenia. And trust me, the bird was worth seeking out.
A visit to Predjama castle can be combined with a visit to the Postojna caves just 10-minutes down the road. In addition, both these sites are just a 30-40-minute drive from Ljubljana and make for a highly varied weekend (or longer) trip.
