The land of plenty

 

As already the name itself and every brochure ever printed say, Postojna Cave is the place to see while visiting Postojna. It is probably also the one thing to add on your bucket list of world's top 10 attractions. Inviting not only the families and school children, but all kinds of tourists and travellers, Postojna cave is a whole new world, on which daydreams and imagination are based on. Without hesitation, it is one of the main Slovenian attributes. Already with its exterior design it invites the visitors from near and far. No matter the season, the entrance into the cave is always crowded with tourists, who enjoy the celebrity-like reception. From 1818, when it was accidentally discovered by a local resident Luka Čeč, the cave hosted more than 35 million guests. As the only cave with an underground train, which creates a special experience and helps the visitors save breath and unnecessary steps on their smart watch, the Postojna cave has another peculiarity. Not that it needs any more. It is the most famous inhabitant of the cave, Olm or Proteus, whose mystery complements the image of the cave. It was once believed that this amphibian was actually a baby dragon, but nowadays the blind beauty is pride and joy of the cave, because in January 2016, the brave momma Proteus laid her first egg of many, so that today, in addition to the adult animals, also the younglings are a big cave attraction.

 

 

As painful as it is to part with 21 kilometres of caves, tunnels and halls, filled with limestone sculptures, especially after you finally refresh your knowledge about the difference between stalactite and stalagmite, there are many more things to see and to do. As life is always preparing new adventures also Postojna with its additional touristic offer does not disappoint. For all that just haven't had enough of the dark Slovenian underworld, the next obvious stop is Predjama Castle. Because each story that starts with a dragon must end with a knight, and Postojna seems like a place that came straight out of a fairy-tale. Just as the Olm is the most famous among 150 other inhabitants of the cave, Erazem of Predjama is the most notorious user of the castle's sanitation system. His home, which is an architectural gem, that was built more than 800 years ago, became a part of the history. The castle is considered to be a nightmare of hostile invaders, and in addition to the legend of Erasmus, it still stirs the imagination of visitors. Carved into the rock, it is filled with mysterious tunnels, that attract even the most stubborn opponents of narrow, slippery steps.

 

 

Those who are irresistibly attracted to a mysterious underground world will certainly be smitten with Postojna. In addition to its ruling beauty, Postojna attracts visitors also with its other underground surprises, such as the Pivka Cave, the Black Cave and Planina Cave. And for those that simply must find an answer to each of their Why's? a trip to the Museum of Karst sheds some light on the darkness under the surface.

 

 

For the claustrophobic part of visitors the good news is that everything that Postojna has to offer is not underground. You can release some stress in the adrenalin park, right next to the cave, as well as walk through Postojna to the city centre, filled with fresh air. On the Tito Square, in front of the Karst Research Institute, there is an Olm sculpture that celebrates the history and heritage of this part of the land. If anything, Postojna is consistent in its marketing story that brings it a worldwide reputation and places it among the top five Slovenian attractions that every conscious traveller simply must see. Honouring the towns heritage there is also a cosy Youth Host Proteus, that with its comfortable, modern interior invites the tired travellers to take on the adventures of the new day rested and fresh. What more do you need?