Predjama Castle, Slovenia
A Unique Fortress in a Built into a Cave System
Explore this remarkable castle that was built into a cave system in the heart of the Slovenian mountains and used by a Medieval robber baron.
Predjama castle, hidden deep in the Slovenian mountains, is a medieval fortress built into a huge cave, the explosed mouth of a underground system that extends for kilometres. The cave was utlitised by a robber baron from centuries ago to become his stronghold.
Unique Fortress
It's been described as a "masterpiece of medieval ingenuity, courage, cunning and defiance". Its white walls, roofs, turrets and chimneys jutting from the mountainside, built onto solid rock, make it the most unique and picturesque fortress you will ever come across in Europe.
Castle History
Although the building today dates from the 16th century, a castle has actually stood, or been recessed, into this site from 1202.
Erazem Lueger
The most famous “owner” is the robber knight Erazem Lueger, who, after a quarrel with his king, Frederick III, sought shelter from the emperor’s rage in the cave. While the king’s men camped below the cavern, unable to reach castle’s entrance, Erazem delighted in showering them with freshly picked cherries . Unbeknown to the besiegers, he had found a way to the fertile valley below via a series of passageways carved by water through the mountain.
Castle Tour
But his luck finally gave out after a year when he was killed by a cannon ball in 1484. You can see the spot where this happened, on the third floor – a wide terrace overlooking the peaceful valley – when you wander around the castle on a self-guided tour, after picking up your ticket and the explanatory leaflet (in the language of your choice) at the office before the entrance.
Castle Rooms
There are six floors to explore, from a reception room for ladies, the knights’ hall, kennels, chapel, the kitchen and cellars. In the room near the entrance there’s a dramatic painting of the siege. Displays and artefacts - marvellously carved wooden chests and seats, displays of weapons, hunting trophies, statues, family crests and portraits, random cannon balls and cannons - all help to bring the medieval past to life.
Underground Passageways
Check out, in one of the oldest sections of the castle, Erazem’s underground passage where he made his way to the valley for his supply of cherries. Look through the “window”, jagged edged in the mountain wall, at the houses below with the linden tree and the little chapel where he is said to be buried.
As you make your make from floor to floor you proceed deeper into the dripping karst mountain, where water over the centuries has worn passages and caverns into the rock, many of which were cleverly utilised by the castle builders, either as passageways or walls.
Cave System
If you want to make a more thorough examination of the cave system below the castle, there are additional tours available and you’ll find that this extensive cavern system has been inhabited since Palaeolithic times, so Erazem was only a relative newcomer. 7,500 metres of this fascinating underground world have been explored.
Medieval Tournaments
During the summer months, you can watch medieval tournaments taking place below the Predjama castle walls; knights in armour, bedecked galloping horses, and foot soldiers of the past all exhibit their skills in this most romantic and dramatic of settings.
