Predjama Castle, Predjamski Grad
Recognized as one of the most picturesque castles in Europe, Predjamski Grad is situated in a cave high above the village of Predjama, just 9 km from Postojna Cave. Postojnska Jama is one of Europe’s most famous caves accessible to tourists, and I am fortunate to have traveled to Postojna three times for business and pleasure.
Predjama Castle near Postojna, Slovenia
No trip to Postojna is complete without a trip on the old road past the cave, up to the little village of Predjama. You’ll pass a restored barn with regional farm implements and up the mountainside you enter Predjama, a timeless medieval town. Up on the cliff face, a huge cave opening has been the site of human habitation for thousands of years.
Predjamski Grad
A castle in the entrance was mentioned a far back as 1274 and the extensive cave system has been used strategically throughout the castle’s history. Today, visitors can suit up and crawl through the passageways once used to sustain the castle’s occupants and to stash valuables by its most famous resident, robber baron Erazem Lueger.
Inside the castle.
I've never been there when it was crowded.
Bridges and walkways.
Falconers used this as a perch to hunt game below.
I am certainly not an expert in Slovenian history, so obviously I would go to the Wikipedia article on Predjama Castle for any authoritative information about the castle itself. I would like to share the photos I took in 2015 and mention some things I can recommend for a stay in Postojna.
Caves are an integral part of the castle structure and history.
You can walk around throughout the castle with an audioguide.
Postojna is a Great Small Town
Postojna is the home of the Karst Research Institute which occupies the center square in prominent building downtown. I attended two events and carried out research there, and learned of a great local spot to stay right between downtown and the cave itself. Postojna lies roughly midway between the capital city of Ljubljana and Piran on the Adriatic Coast.
Recommended Accommodation
I recommend a room rented out by a homeowner (Sobe) located in the Čehovin Inn (Address: Jamska cesta 21, 6230 Postojna, Slovenia) . I rented the one-bedroom apartment downstairs in 2010 for about $30/night and it was perfect! My wife and I returned in 2015 and stayed in an upstairs room for $42/nt.
Čehovin Inn at Jamska cesta 21, 6230 Postojna, Slovenia is conventiently located between Postojna Cave and the central square in Postojna.
Tourist info centers are nearby.
Walk right out and the cave is to the left and downtown to the right.
Nice balcony where breakfast was served every morning.
Everything we needed for a room.
It lies midway between town square and the cave itself. It was an easy walk either way. Mr. Chekovin is a prominent local citizen and he has always been a warm host. There is also hostel and hotels for any budget in town.
Great views!
The town has a beautiful church, a nice train station with one of the local night spots, Jazzy.
Jazzy at the train station.
Of all the places I've been, Slovenia is my favorite in many respects!
Cheers!
