You’ve been charmed by way of the streets of Ljubljana and awestruck by way of the alpine wonders of Bled. However your discuss with to Slovenia isn’t whole till you’ve skilled no less than one of the most best 5 caves in Slovenia.
Listed here are the highest pointers from Terry Anzur, a Slovenian-American journalist on the weblog Strangers within the Dwelling Room:
- Postojna Cave: one thing for everybody
- Predjama Cave Fortress: international’s biggest cave fort
- Škočjan Caves: UNESCO heritage underground
- Pivka Cave: journey for thrill-seekers
- Idrija Mercury Mine: deep dive into historical past
Which Slovenia cave journey is best for you? In a rustic with masses of caves in Slovenia, there’s one thing for everybody: Herbal good looks, interesting historical past, epic journey or even a Disneyland-style teach experience.
Postojna Cave: Out there Slovenia Cave Journey
In case you have time for just one Slovenia cave journey, make it Postojna Cave. This herbal marvel has been wowing guests for greater than 200 years. In 1818, a neighborhood lamplighter stumbled into the cave and declared: “Here’s paradise.”
Greater than 40 million other people have visited Postojna Cave since then. It’s the 3rd maximum visited appeal in Slovenia, after Ljubljana and Bled. Now and then, you’ll have the sensation that you simply’re in a cave-themed amusement park. Don’t melancholy if there’s a line to board the teach; it strikes temporarily.
The three.7 km teach experience makes probably the most astounding chambers and galleries out there for every age and skills. Don’t leave out the huge Dance Corridor, lit by way of Murano glass chandeliers. There may be an not obligatory 1.5 km stroll to the long-lasting “Good” formation.
Make sure you keep seated at the teach because it whips previous the overhead rocks with fatal velocity. Please appreciate nature by way of no longer touching the formations. They shaped over thousands and thousands of years, one drop of water at a time.
For max enjoyment, put down your digicam. Within the low mild, your telephone pictures usually are disappointing. Flash images isn’t allowed. Skilled photographers want permission to arrange lighting fixtures.
Sign up for this Postojna Cave excursion from Ljubljana!
Slovenia’s Child Dragons
Children will love seeing the “child dragons,” a singular species in Postojna Cave. The olms can are living for 100 years and will live on a decade with out meals. Purchase a separate price tag to the Vivarium to be told extra about the entire creatures of the underground international.
When to Consult with: Postojna Cave is open 12 months a yr. There’s an underground nativity scene all the way through the vacations. Carry a heat jacket on account of the consistent 10-degree Celsius temperature, year-round. To steer clear of the summer season crowds in June, July and August, arrive when the cave opens at 9 am. The massive excursion teams arrive later within the morning.
Getting there: Postojna Cave Park is a simple day travel from Ljubljana or Bled, by way of automobile or bus. Reserve tickets on-line or purchase on the price tag place of work.
Professional tip: Keep on the Resort Jama to skip the price tag line and get a bargain on excursion applications. Tenting within the house may be common. There’s a car park for motorhomes. There’s even a unfastened kennel the place your puppy can wait whilst you excursion the cave.
Predjama Fortress: Mighty Slovenia Cave Castle
Predjama Fortress, the sector’s biggest cave castle, is just a quick pressure from Postonja Cave. You’ll simply discuss with each at the identical day with a blended “Two Adventures” price tag or blended excursion.
Many team excursions handiest prevent for the insta-worthy photograph alternative of the Slovenia cave fort rising from cast karst rock. However you must plan to move inside of and be informed the interesting historical past.
The fifteenth Century knight Erazem withstood a siege for greater than a yr by way of smuggling in contemporary meals during the cave tunnels. Unfortunately, he didn’t live on a cannonball that struck the fort at its maximum inclined level: the bathroom.
Make a want as you ring the fort’s bell. It used to be used to warn of coming near invaders. You handiest need to appreciate the view of the encompassing geographical region.
Professional tip: Get the Predjama Fortress audio information for a bright description of existence within the Center Ages as you stroll during the torture chamber and weapon rooms.
Škočjan Caves: UNESCO heritage Slovenia Cave
For a extra herbal Slovenia cave revel in, discuss with the Škočjan Caves in Slovenia. UNESCO has arranged a guided excursion that gifts the underground international heritage whilst respecting the surroundings.
You’ll be awestruck by way of the underground cathedrals, carved out over the centuries by way of the Reka River. Pictures isn’t allowed for lots of the excursion within the caves. Close to the go out, there’s a photo alternative that conveys the majesty of what you have got simply skilled.
Robust mountain climbing sneakers are a should, in addition to a jacket for the underground relax. Be ready for slippery pavement and masses of steps. This journey isn’t really helpful for small children or the ones with mobility considerations.
Getting there: You’ll discuss with Škočjan Caves on a day travel from Ljubljana by way of automobile. Purchase tickets on-line or on the price tag place of work. Horse fans might wish to upload a prevent in within sight Lipica, house of the Lipizzaner horses you might have observed appearing in Vienna. Bicycle excursions of the karst area are some other nice choice.
Professional tip: Permit some overtime for a longer hike during the karst panorama and the fascinating village of Škočjan. Mountaineering trails are neatly marked, ranging from the top of the cave excursion.
Pivka Cave: Journey for Thrill Seekers
For those who got here to Slovenia for a high-octane journey, you’re in good fortune. With a bit making plans forward, you’ll be able to guide an adrenalin excursion within the huge underground of Postojna Cave Park. The entire particular apparatus you are going to want is integrated in the cost of the guided excursion.
The Luka Čeč excursion in Pivka Cave is known as for the lamplighter who found out the cave machine in 1818, however toiled in poverty for many years sooner than getting the credit score he deserved. Be ready for rappelling down rock faces, slogging thru dust and paddling thru an underground lake.
You even have a likelihood to identify the newborn dragons and different distinctive cave species of their herbal habitat. This journey used to be so epic for my circle of relatives of 3 that it merits its personal film, as you’ll see on this video:
The Bat Cave below the Fortress
A much less difficult journey permits you to discover the Windy Hollow and different passageways beneath Predjama Fortress. Other variations of this guided excursion are appropriate for older children and teenagers.
However watch out for bats! The constant year-round temperature makes the fort caves a hibernating spot. Excursions should be reserved prematurely from Might to September, when the bats are wakeful.
Professional tip: Gasoline up to your journey at Gostilna Požar, a pleasant mid-priced eating place serving Slovenian specialties with a picture-postcard view of Predjama Fortress.
Idrija Mercury Mine: Underground Historical past
Historical past paired with caves in Slovenia! This excursion covers 500 years of UNESCO international heritage within the 700 km of mercury mine tunnels beneath town of Idrija. Anthony’s Shaft is the oldest preserved mine front in Europe.
The excursion starts with a film in regards to the tough lives of the mercury miners. A information dressed in a mine foreman’s uniform takes you into the tunnels. You’ll see the numbered medallions miners wore all the way through their shifts at the “loss of life clock.” They stopped at an underground chapel to wish for a protected go back.
Miners stored up their spirits with sturdy drink. They believed the mine used to be haunted by way of a mischievous elf who would cause them to the quicksilver — or nugatory rocks. Idrija prospered because it become one of the most biggest mercury mines on this planet. Sadly, the wealth didn’t trickle right down to the poorly paid miners.
The miners labored with out protection apparatus till fashionable occasions. What number of died from mercury poisoning and similar diseases? They all. However you’ll be completely protected within the heat jacket and protecting helmet integrated with the excursion. Be expecting a number of strolling on slippery surfaces and stairs.
To find out extra on this video:
Idrija Dumplings and Lace
Above flooring, the miners’ better halves stored busy with lacemaking, a convention that continues nowadays. The hand made lace offered within the native stores makes a wonderful memento to take house.
Don’t overlook to take a look at the normal Idrija dumplings referred to as žlikrofi. Served with hearty sauce, they have been a filling meal for the hard-working miners. The most well liked eating place is Gostilna Pri Škafarju, only a quick stroll from the doorway to the mine excursion, however the dumplings are served in most of the native eateries.
Getting there: Idrija will also be reached by way of automobile on an afternoon travel from Ljubljana. To find excursion occasions and price tag data at the website online.
Professional tip: In case you have extra time, discuss with Gewerkenegg Fortress, which looms over the slender streets of the small, pleasant the city. It’s full of shows in regards to the historical past of mercury mining and lacemaking in Idrija.
Making plans a travel to Slovenia? The largest mistake you’ll be able to make isn’t permitting sufficient time for all the nature and historical past this is packed into this small nation – the caves in Slovenia particularly. It’s a miniature model of Europe in a single blank, inexperienced, sustainable package deal.
Dobrodošli! Welcome.
