Postojna Cave

Carved by the Pivka River over millions of years, Postojna Cave is a unique natural wonder located in the Karst region of Slovenia. This awesome subterranean spectacle is famous for its unbelievably beautiful stalagmite and stalactite dripstones as well as other formations, like curtains or draperies. Postojna Cave was carved by the Pivka River over millions of years. are stalagmites, stalactites, and formations called curtains or draperies that look like folded curtains.

Although the cave was first described in the 17th century by the pioneer of karstology, Johann Weikhard von Valvasor, graffiti found inside date back to 1213, indicating the first explorers gained access much earlier.

Postojna Cave is one of the oldest show caves. It officially became a tourist destination in 1819, when visited by Archduke Ferdinand. Since then, over 39 million people have ventured inside. The world’s first underground railway was constructed here in 1872 and still represents the main means of transport for visitors. Electric lighting was installed in the cave in 1884, preceding Ljubljana. That points at how important Postojna Cave was even back then.

During WWII, German occupying forces stored 1,000 barrels of aircraft fuel in the cave, which were destroyed in 1944 by Partisan freedom fighters. The fire burned for seven days, destroying a large portion of the cave. Fortunately, it has regained most of its shiny glory since then.

Upon entering the cave, you board a little train that takes you 3.7 km into the underground. You then explore the cave’s miracles on foot. The entire tour of the cave lasts approx. 90 minutes. Besides its incredible formations, Postojna Cave is also home to a species called proteus or olm, an indigenous creature known as the human fish and lovingly dubbed the “baby dragon”. Yes, tiny dragons live in its depths. They are considered the largest cave-dwelling animal that can go without food for up to 10 years.

The temperature inside the cave is constant throughout the year (10 °C), so putting on some warm clothes is recommended. Professional guides share their extensive knowledge of the cave in Slovenian, Italian, English or German, and audio guides available in 17 languages. The tours are suitable for everyone, including families with young children. Enter and be amazed!