It is enlightening to know that Slovenia has over thirteen thousand caves and every other day new caves are being discovered! The most famous and visited is Postojna Cave. I have been to several beautiful caves around the world and have a tendency to think that if you have seen one, you have seen all. Stalactites, stalagmites, columns or other cave formation that embellish these caves may not be 100% the same but they appear generally similar to me so visiting caves has never been my favourite thing to do. Having visited Postojna Cave, I think it is somewhat different. There are a few unique features about this cave not seen elsewhere. On top of that the range of multifarious formation is spectacular enough to keep me busy gazing in admiration.
The train journey ended under 'Great Mountain', also known as Calvary, an underground hill 45 meters high at the junction of three galleries. This chamber is unbelievably mammoth in size, and is said to be big enough to hold a cathedral!.
The exploration continued on foot with cave guides explaining and expounding on facts about the cave. We had to cross this bridge, called 'Russian Bridge' to get across a deep chasm.
This 'Russian Bridge' was built by Russian prisoners during World War I. Across it, you get to see a variety of cave formation and they are all very beautiful.
Postojna Cave was formed 2 million years ago but it was discovered only in 1818.
The bigger chambers in the cave are known as 'halls' and they are named by their general appearance or cave formation seen there, for example 'Spaghetti Hall' because the formation hanging from the ceiling looks like spaghetti. There're also "Red Hall, White Hall, Dance Hall, Concert Hall, etc.
There is a proper path that winds around the passage and chambers so it is relatively safe to explore this cave. The temperature is a constant at 9⁰ C.
Towards the end of the walk, visitors can view a unique cave inhabitant kept in a very dark aquarium. This creature called Olm or human fish has a lifespan of 100 years and can survive without food for up to 12 years. That's an amazing fact indeed!
After the tour, I took the train back to the entrance.
The Cave Vicinity
After the tour, I took the train back to the entrance.
The Cave Vicinity
This is a picture of the cave entrance. To take the train, we had to enter through a gate on the right hand side.
There are a few other things to do in the cave vicinity. I went to have a look at River Pivka, the river that caused the formation of the cave.
In the vicinity you can also see the Modrijan Mill (or the Lower Mill) whose water wheels have been going round in this very spot for the last five centuries.
There is a hotel (Hotel Jama) and a row of shops leading to the cave entrance.
These are among some interesting items sold in the shops.
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