Predjama Castle

What makes it special

The castle stands halfway up a 123-metre cliff, built into an overhanging rock in front of a cave hall. Beneath it the cave runs down through four levels, with a secret tunnel leading out into the open. The white front went up in Renaissance style under the overhang after an earthquake damaged the older castle, and it has changed little since.

Inside, the legend of the robber knight Erazem, who held the castle under siege on supplies brought in through the caves, is told room by room. The rooms are fairly bare, so most of what you look at is the building pressed into the rock.

In Erazem's Nook, the tunnel and cave behind the top rooms, look for the pipes set into the rock, which the story credits to Erazem for carrying water through the caves. It is a detail that is easy to walk past.

Visiting

Start in the front tower, which sets out the castle's history and its owners. The rooms include the knight's room, the most richly furnished, and a dining room laid out as late Gothic castle life. On the third floor the Renaissance hall holds the hunting trophies of the last owner.

From there, climb to the cave at the top and back of the castle, on steps that are steep and often slippery. Allow a couple of hours if you add the cave below.

In summer the cave under the castle opens for its own tour, around 45 minutes through the two upper levels. It has no electric lighting, so you are handed a flashlight at the start. If you are seeing Postojna Cave too, buy the joint ticket that covers both.

Guided or on your own

The guide comes as an app included with your ticket, in 19 languages, and it covers everything inside the castle. If you would rather not use your phone, rent an audio guide at the ticket office for an extra charge.

Without a car, a guided day trip from Ljubljana saves you working out the buses. The cave under the castle is a separate tour; ask the ticket desk whether it needs booking ahead.

Tips

Bring a warm layer even in July: the rooms inside the rock stay chilly. For photographs of the cliff face, arrive before the castle opens, because it gets busy soon after.

Use the free toilets by the car park before you go in, since there are none inside the castle. The cave tour is not suitable for children under six or for anyone who finds walking difficult.