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The mighty, unconquerable and romantic Predjama Castle or Predjamski Castle has become, due to its location and secrecy, an inspiration to many filmmakers, as they filmed here a number of films, television series and documentary films. The author of the bestseller Game of Thrones found here an inspiration for his projects. At this location, documentary series creators from Discovery Channel also recorded a part about the presence of ghosts inside the castle walls. However, the Predjamski Castle is also very unique, because it is listed in the Guinness World Records as the largest cave castle in the world and the only cave castle in the world that is fully preserved.

Each year it attracts around one hundred thousand visitors from all over the world. Maybe that is due to the fact that Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle are very close, since the castle is only 9 kilometers away from the Postojna Cave and 11 kilometers away from the Postojna city. So, if you have already visited the famous Postojna Cave, it is time to go on a medieval adventure and visit the picturesque Predjama Castle.

Interesting facts about Predjama Castle

Predjamski in Slovenian language means “in front of the cave”, which is quite reasonable, because beneath the castle there is an entrance to the Cave under the Predjama Castle, where the first part of the cave is opened for guided tours. Also, directly under and behind the cave castle there are many secret tunnels, which were used in the past to supply food and other necessities, when the castle was besieged by the Emperor’s army.

Predjama Castle is perched in the middle of a 123-meter high cliff. This is also its specialty, which makes its powerful appearance. Building a castle in a rock itself also has its purpose, because they were using its unique position in order to successfully protect themselves from numerous Turkish invasions and the rest of the army that was back then raging all over Europe.

Predjamski Castle was first mentioned in the 13th century, more precisely in 1274. At that time, it was named after the German word Luegg, by the German family, who bought the castle. They were also known as Adelsberg knights, which is in fact a German name for Postojna. Therefore, in the past the name of the castle was Postojna Castle.

Inside the Predjama Castle

Today, the Predjama Castle is a museum where you can see a collection of old weapons, paintings, a sculpture of the Virgin Mary from 1420. The cave castle is decorated with a very picturesque illustration about the medieval everyday life, and the impression is further enhanced by people figures in their natural sizes, performing various tasks.

There is also a hanged prisoner in the dark room and, of course, the legend about Erazem of Predjama also lives inside the castle. The old linden, under which the Erazem of Predjama was buried, is standing behind the cave castle, at least so says the legend. A girl, who was deeply saddened by the death of this famous knight, planted the linden on his grave.

Predjama Castle tour

Predjama Castle tour begins in the entrance tower, where you will learn about the history and the former owners of this cave castle. Among the equipment in other parts of the castle you can find a selection of original objects. There are many replicas of weapons, from lances and helebards, swords, battle hammers, arcs, crossbows and knight’s armor. The most luxuriantly equipped knight’s room is in the dining room, where you will be introduced to the castle life in the late Gothic era. In the renaissance hall on the third floor, the hunting trophies of the last owner, Prince of Windisch-Grätz, are exhibited.

Erazem’s Knight Tournament

Each year in July, traditional knight games, called the Erazem’s Knight Tournament, take place in front of the Predjama Castle. This is a very popular event, where knights on horses and swordsmen present their warfare skills. The horsemen, dressed in knight’s armor and equipment, illustrate the warfare and imitate soldiers in their battles in the middle ages, when the cave castle was besieged by opponents. Furthermore, near the old linden, masters of the old crafts exhibit their handmade masterpieces. There is also a gastronomic offer, which includes traditional medieval delicacies.

The legend about Erazem of Predjama

Knight Erazem was the most famous representative of the Luegg family. Only later he was known for his name, Erazem of Predjama, who resisted the imperial autocracy in the 15th century. Today, there are many legends about him, which on one side glorify him as a passionate, beautiful and noble knight, and on the other hand, they portray him as a robber, a rogue knight, who was ultimately killed on a toilet, inside the Predjama Castle.

The cave castle is accessible only from one side, but the legend says that knight Erazem supplied food and drink through a secret passage leading to the surface, inside the Predjama Castle. Meanwhile, the Emperor’s army besieged his castle for a year, but failed to break through. The army was not fatal for Erazem, however the tricks of his opponents were and lastly, a scam of his corrupt servant. After his death, the owners of the Postojna Castle were changing throughout the years, until the end of the Second World War, when it was nationalized.

Tickets for Predjama Castle tour

Predjama Castle tickets can be bought in three different places. You can buy them at the box office in front of the Predjama Castle. Tickets are also available at the main Postojna Cave entrance. If you buy tickets for Postojna Cave tour and at the same time you already know that you also want to visit the famous castle, then you can purchase one ticket to visit both sights in the Postojna Cave Park. This will also save you some money, as combo tickets are cheaper than if they were bought as single tickets.

The third option to purchase tickets is through an official website. Prices for visiting the Predjamski Castle are somewhat different, depending on the high summer season and the low season in the winter months. On a given website you can see the exact prices that apply for a specific period.

Predjama Castle opening hours

Opening hours in Predjama Castle vary according to season. Opening hours in the winter months, from November to March, are from 10 am to 16 pm, and in April and October from 10 am to 17 pm. In the warmer months, in May, June and September, the opening hours are from 9 am to 18 pm. At the peak of the summer season in July and August, when the days are much longer, the cave castle opens its gate from 9 am to 19 pm.

How to get to the Predjamski Castle?

Between 12 July and 31 August a free bus runs from the Postojna Cave to the Predjama Castle and back. The ride takes only 20 minutes. This free shuttle bus can be used by anyone who has bought combo tickets, with which they have access to visit both attractions in the Postojna Cave Park. The free bus also runs from Postojna city, as there are only 300 parking lots in front of the Predjama Castle. Although they are not charged, there are not enough parking lots, when considering the number of daily visitors.

Cave under the Predjama Castle

If you have already visited the Predjama Castle, you can also take a tour into the Cave under the Predjama Castle. Due to its location and favorable temperature, interesting inhabitants live there, the colony of bats, so entering the cave in the winter time is not possible, since bats are asleep. The cave was formed by the Karst Pivka River, which runs on the surface and then disappears beneath the surface and from then on it runs below the cave. The cave spreads over four floors, which are interconnected with several pools. The entire length of the cave measures almost 8 kilometers and for visitors there is a tour, which includes the first 900 meters. There is no electricity in the cave, so you will visit it with lamps and proper caving equipment.

Hotels in Postojna

There are no hotels or other accommodations in the vicinity of the Predjama Castle, so it is necessary to drive to the Postojna city or to the Postojna Cave Park. The most visited hotels in Postojna are Hotel Kras, Hotel Epic Postojna and Hotel Center. All hotels in Postojna are located in the very city center, from where they offer a good starting point for taking day trips, since Postojna is located between the Slovenian coast and the capital, Ljubljana.

Hotel Jama in the Postojna Cave Park

Hotel Jama is located in the heart of the Postojna Cave Park, just hundred meters away from the Postojna Cave entrance. Hotel Jama is a four-star hotel that offers beautiful views of the park, in the middle of unspoiled nature. Hotel Jama was built in 1971. At that time the hotel was known as one of the most prestigious hotels in this part of Slovenia. In 2016, it was completely renovated, equipped with modern elements, while at the same time retaining numerous architectural elements that represent the features of the Karst landscape.

If you were impressed by the visit to Postojna Cave and the Cave under the Predjama Castle and would like to experience other underworld adventures in Slovenia, you can visit us in Bled that is only one hour away from Postojna. From Bled we will take you on a special journey, where you will get to experience the surrounding underground world. In our special offer there are two cave adventures, namely cave kayaking and Bled caving. Welcome to Bled!

Altitude Activities Trip Advisor Travelers' Choice 2023 Award

Proud recipient of a TripAdvisor 2023 Certificate of Excellence
Thank you all for the great reviews!

Trip Advisor 5 stars

Aleksandra (our guide) provided an excellent day out with lots of beautiful sightseeing and lovely hikes! It was a full jam packed day (10 hours) which had enough breaks with a lovely spot for lunch. We loved it so much that we are going to go on another tour with Alpine Activities!

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KATHRYN L-W

DECEMBER 17, 2023