Predjama Castle

The castle is literally embedded in the rock: the façade projects from a 123-metre cliff while the rear disappears into a natural cave. The building occupies five floors connected by steep stone staircases and passages, some carved directly into the rock. The grey limestone walls merge seamlessly with the cliff – from a distance, it's hard to tell where stone ends and castle begins.

Inside, the exhibition covers medieval life: an armoury with 15th–16th century armour and swords, a knights' hall with a long oak table, a chapel with frescoes, and a prison cell cut into the rock. Upper-floor windows look out over the valley and forested hills. In the lower section, a 700-metre cave system served as a secret supply route during sieges.

In summer, the inner courtyard hosts an annual jousting tournament (usually July): mounted combat, swordfighting, medieval music, and a craft fair. Evening performances are lit by torches. A colony of bats inhabits the castle wall – in summer, they can be seen at sunset.

Guinness Record – the largest cave castle in the world, built into a 123-metre cliff

Secret passage – 700 m cave system behind the castle, used for supply during sieges

Erazem of Predjama – legendary 15th-century knight-robber who defended the castle against an imperial army

Jousting tournament – annual medieval show in July with mounted combat and swordfighting

Exhibition – 5 floors with an armoury, chapel, and prison cell carved into rock

The castle is first mentioned in 1202, though fortifications on this site predate that record. Construction occurred in several phases: the original 13th-century Gothic structure was expanded in the 15th–16th centuries. The most famous owner was the knight Erazem of Predjama (Erazem Lueger), who in the late 15th century waged a guerrilla campaign against Emperor Frederick III. The castle withstood a siege for over a year thanks to a secret passage through the cave behind it, which was used to bring in supplies. According to legend, Erazem was killed by a cannonball after a treacherous servant signaled the besiegers.

After Erazem's death, the castle was rebuilt several times. Its current appearance dates from a 16th-century Renaissance reconstruction. In the 18th–19th centuries, it passed through several noble families and gradually deteriorated. A major restoration was completed in the 1990s, after which it opened as a museum. Since 2008, it has been part of a unified tourism complex with Postojna Cave.

From Postojna / Postojna Cave (9 km, 10 min):

– By car via regional road, follow signs to Predjama. Road is narrow but paved

– Free shuttle bus runs from Postojna Cave in summer (check schedule on the website)

– Taxi from Postojna – €15

From Ljubljana (62 km, 50 min):

– By car via A1/E61, exit Postojna, then 9 km on a regional road

– No public transport to the castle. Train/bus to Postojna + taxi

– Car rental is the best option for the "Postojna Cave + castle" route

On-site:

From the car park to the castle entrance – 3-minute walk up a paved path.

Season: The castle is open year-round. The cave beneath it – May–September only.

Time of day: Morning (before 11:00 AM) – fewest visitors. Tour bus groups arrive mid-day.

Duration: 1–1.5 hours for the castle. With the cave beneath (summer) – 2 hours. Combined with Postojna Cave – half a day.

Avoid: Jousting tournament days (July) – crowds and higher parking fees. Summer weekends (July–August) – packed. In winter, parts of the exhibition may be closed and opening hours are reduced.