Brilliant stalagmite – the symbol of Postojna Cave, Slovenia

A century and a half of the cave railway and electric lighting

This is the only cave in the world large enough for visitors to be taken around by an underground train. The railway was laid in the cave 140 years ago and nowadays the double-track circular line, along which the electric train takes visitors to the most beautiful parts of the cave, transports up to several thousand visitors daily. The train ride is followed by a pleasant walk along a footpath, which reveals the most beautiful corners of the underground world and presents them in all of their beauty illuminated by electric lighting, which has been available since 1883 (i.e. three years longer than electric illumination in London).

Train in Postojna Cave, Slovenia

The underground world easy accessible to all visitors

The entire tourist trail around the cave is just over five kilometres in length, of which approximately one kilometre is a footpath, but without any steps or strenuous uphill walking, which means that the cave can be visited by almost any visitor. During the underground walk visitors can listen to cave guides providing information in Slovene, English, German or Italian languages or opt for an audio guide available in 15 different world languages.

Postojna Cave, Slovenia

More than 150 prominent visitors

The most significant milestone for the development of modern-age tourism was without doubt the year 1818, when a large inner area of Postojna Cave was discovered by Luka Čeč, a local of Postojna. Already a year later, on 17 August 1819, the footpaths around the cave were in good enough condition for the locals to take around the cave the first esteemed visitor – the then Austrian heir to the throne Ferdinand I, and foundations for cave tourism were thus laid. Ever since, Postojna Cave has been visited by more than 150 country presidents and prime ministers, kings, emperors, scientists and artists, who have written down their impressions in the Golden Book of visitors to the Postojna Cave; the first to sign their names in the book were in 1856 the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph I and the Empress Elizabeth. In decades to follow, many other eminent guests joined in their enthusiasm for the underground beauty of the cave, such as: King of Italy Vittorio Emanuele III, King Milan Obrenovi of Serbia with his son Alexander, King Paul I of Greece and his wife, as well as the former President of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito, who brought along his guests on a number of occasions, including the then Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union Nikita S. Khrushchev, Shah of Persia Reza Pahlavi and the first Prime Minister of independent India Jawaharlal Nehru. In the last twenty years, Postojna Cave was also visited by all Presidents of Slovenia: Milan Kuan, Dr Janez Drnovšek and Dr Danilo Türk, who loved showing the cave to their guests from all around the world, including the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, the President of Czechoslovakia Vaclav Havel, the President of the Republic of Macedonia Branko Crvenkovski, the President of Finland Tarja Halonen, the Queen of Denmark Margaret II, Albert II, Prince of Monaco, and many others.

Trails in Postojna Cave, Slovenia

For stamp and coin collectors

Before getting back on the train at the end of their Postojna Cave tour to be taken to the exit, visitors can have a look at another cave attraction located inside the Concert Hall (which has a surface area of 3,000 m2, a volume of 50,000 m3 and can accommodate up to 10,000 guests at the same time): an exhibition of the history of the oldest underground post office. Postcards were sent from here as early as 1899 and even today postcards sent off from here receive a special postmark. The Concert Hall has in the past been the venue of a large number of events: musicians of the world-famous La Scala from Milan have performed here, as has the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra; it has also hosted theatre performances and eye-catching acrobatic performances.

Postojna Cave had been welcoming visitors long before the railway was laid in the cave, which is attested by visitors’ signatures in the Passage of Old Signatures in the east part of the cave. The year 2013 marks 800 years since the oldest known signatures were made, an occasion that will be commemorated together with the Bank of Slovenia, which is going to issue a special two-Euro commemorative coin.

White Hall, Postojna Cave, Slovenia

Proteus Vivarium, the Proteus Cave – learn about life in the underground world

Although scientist for a long time believed that life without the sun or the seasons was not possible, numerous animal species that inhabit the underground world of Postojna have proven the contrary. By far the best known inhabitant of the Postojna underground world is undoubtedly the proteus (proteus anguinus), often called the human fish, it is however not the only one at all. More than 100 cave-dwelling animals have been discovered in the underground world of Postojna, and the Postojna cave system is thus considered to be the cradle of speleobiology, the study of organisms that live in the subterranean world. In terms of biodiversity, the underground world of Postojna ranks very high on the worldwide scale, which is proof of the environment being well preserved. Visitors learn about the diversity of the underground life, and about its characteristics and special features, in the part of Postojna Cave called Proteus Vivarium, the Proteus Cave, another world-famous attraction where visitors can also see the animals.

White Hall, Postojna Cave, Slovenia

The cave is open throughout the year

Tourist tours of Postojna Cave last approximately an hour and a half and the cave is open throughout the year. For visitors looking to experience the underground world of Postojna in a somewhat different, more adventurous way, there are a number of special adventure tours. As part of these tours the cave is visited in small groups and participants use caving equipment, which gives them the feeling that they are the first ones to enter this underground kingdom.

Spaghetti Hall, Postojna Cave, Slovenia

The temperature inside Postojna Cave remains the same throughout the year: around 10°C. Comfortable footwear and warm clothing is recommended, but no other special equipment is needed. Warm raincoats are available for hire at the entrance to the cave.

This unique article along with the pictures have been delivered by Postojna Cave Management. You can find more information on Postojna Cave official website https://www.postojnska-jama.eu

A family enjoying a visit to Postojna Cave, Slovenia

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Popular tourist attractions in Exeter

One of Exeter´s most popular tourist attraction is perhaps it´s greatest achievement, the honey-coloured 12th century Norman Exeter Cathedral, which towers over the city. The mesmerising ceiling in the largest of its kind that is unbroken in the world, an astonishing feat considering the city was flattened by the Luftwaffe during the Second World War. Take the 45-minute guided walk and you will get more from your visit.

Exeter Cathedral, UK by Antony McCallum

Other historical buildings of interest include the 14th century Guildhall, the oldest municipal building that is still in operation in the UK and resided over by the city mayor. You can also learn more about the history of the city in the Exeter museum which exhibits artefacts dating back to the Roman era. You will also find Egyptian history in the tomb-like Egypt Room which stores a 3000-year old mummy.

And if you enjoy a surreal tomb-like ambience don´t miss the Underground Passages Tour, a guided ghost walk through the network of medieval vaults which is guaranteed to send a chill down your spine. Redcoats guided tours do a wide range of walks from murder to religion and take you into some of the most fascinating parts of the city such as the Exeter catacombs. If you need to hire a car for travel around Exeter, there are various rental services available and also don’t forget to book out car hire insurance.

Exeter – High Street, Guildhall, UK by Franzfoto

Exeter Quay

A modern look at Exeter can be found by the Quay where the docks have been revitalised with trendy bars, cafe and clubs. The dull, red-bricked warehouses have been replaced with glass front chrome frame buildings which emanates pizzazz and elegance with continental-style alfresco dining. This is the place where suited young professionals like to hang-out to sip on espresso and tuck into an assortment of French and Italian breads.

The Quay area was originally designed by the Romans, but took a dip in fortune when opposing merchants built a weir across the River Exe to guide trade to nearby Topsham. There´s not much trade coming into the harbour these days and the slow and relaxed atmosphere offers open-air jazz evenings on Sundays. Bikes and kayaks are also available for hire.

As part of the rejuvenating process of the city, Exeter´s premier attraction, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery also got a makeover. Close by is the Bill Douglas Centre which pays homage to a history of cinema featuring fun films and a massive collection of memorabilia that dates back as far as Charlie Chaplin. If you love film you will love learning about the characters and performers ranging from Mickey Mouse to Marilyn Monroe and James Bond to Luke Skywalker. Learn more about movie mayhem from around the world as well as a behind the scenes look at how visual media is put together.

Other local attractions

Exeter is also well placed for getting to the coast and seeing more of what Devon has to offer. Plymouth and Weymouth are the neighbouring seaside locations whilst you can get close to nature along the many walking trails of Dartmoor National Park and the zoo at Paignton. Just up the road from Exeter and well worth a visit in its own right you will also find the charming town of Topsham.

Conclusion

Exeter is a fine city to visit. With a significant history, there are many architectural delights and splendours to observe. Modernisation has lead to many new shops being made available for the visitor and local alike. Exeter is also handily placed for local tourist spots in the Devon & Cornwall area.

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Visitors can experience the thrill of a hidden and beautiful upside down world, made of breath-taking scenery, rich in extraordinary concretions, where the silence is broken only by the dripping of the drops of water that bring the constantly changing complex to life.

There are two adventure trails – the blue trail (for those over the age of 12) and the red trail – which allow small guided groups to pass through underground passages, narrow pathways and shafts and admire splendid rooms concealed from the gaze of “normal” tourists.

The basic admission is 15,50Eur / person.

View Grotte di Frasassi – one of the most spectacular Karst complexes in the world – Italy in a larger map

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The sinkhole is about 138.7 meters deep and it is the biggest gorge of its kind in the Czech Republic and even in the Central Europe. The upper part of this nature unique is about 174 m long and 76 m wide. There are two platforms for tourists at the edges. The first one is Upper Bridge constructed in 1882. The second one is little bit lower called Lower Bridge. This lower bridge comes from 1899 and it is about 92 m above the bottom of Macocha that you can see from there.

Macocha Abyss (named in 17th century) was created by fall of ceiling of huge cave hole. That’s why its bottom is covered by debris. The River Punkva is rising here and fills up two small lakes called Horní (Upper) and Dolní (Lower). Horní lake is approximately 13m deep and you can see it from the Upper Platform. The Lower one is hidden between rocks and it is about 30 m deep.

Underground River Punkva is made by several local brooks which became bigger river underground. It is coming from north part of Moravský kras (Moravian Karst) to the east. Macocha Abyss is the only place where Punkva River goes to daylight. Then, the river goes its wandering in Punkvení jeskyně (Punkva Caves). The whole cave complex is made by more than 30 kilometers of underground passages partly filled with water.

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