Postojna Cave
Graffiti inside the cave dates to 1213 indicating a long history of use. The cave itself is older by many millions of years.
Electric lights were fitted in 1884. Electricity was connected two years later (just kidding, maybe).
In 1872, a train for tourists was added, pushed by the guides while they explained the cave. Obviously jobs were difficult to find in the 1870’s.
During World War One, Russian prisoners of war were forced to construct a bridge across a chasm inside the cave. They cooperated no doubt thinking they could slip out the back while the guards were out eating there kraski zasink (Cured pork neck meat to you and I).
During world War Two, German occupying forces used the cave to store 1,000 barrels of aircraft fuel. In April 1944 this fuel was set alight and the fire burned for seven days, destroying a large section of the cave and blackening the entrance and all the stored World War One surplus kraski zasink.
The cave system is over 24 Klm. long and runs electric trains to move the tourists as quick as possible (time is money), it has a post office and a gift shop underground. The tour is quick and there is not much time for photography, the underground gift shop being the only stop without a time limit.
All this adds up to a Disney like experience, think “Indiana Jones and the Cave of Tourists” ride.
Also in the area and included in our “Super Expo Package No.1 with benefits tour” were:
A display depicting the evolution of life on earth, not bad, less visitors. Naturally it included the inevitable evolution of man.
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- 35,000,000 years ago, Not Happy.
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- 14,000,000 years ago, Happy but none to bright.
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- 10,000,000 years ago, Starting to think.
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- 2,000,000 years ago, A bit bewildered.
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- 1,000,000 years ago, Fitted with visor.
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- 50,000 years ago, I think I will invent the wheel.
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- Very recent, no comment required.
Butterflies nailed to boards and hung on the wall.
A cave insect/animal display, interesting and informative. No photos, sorry.
The worlds largest cave/castle experience. Predjama Castle is a Renaissance castle a twenty minute bus ride away with it’s own cave system, we did it in fifteen minutes as our bus driver was obviously in training for the next formula one championship.
By the way, tomorrow we put the “would be” Lancia to the test and see if it can climb a Slovenian hill without assistance from a cave guide desperate for work. Stay tuned!
leschalmers 