This morning we left the Adriatic and headed inland and eastwards toward Ljubljana, stopping in Postojna to visit the renowned caves there.
Postojna Cave was carved by the Pivka River over millions of years. There are stalagmites, stalactites, and formations called curtains that look like folded curtains.
The cave system is 24.34 kilometers and is made up of four caves interconnected through the same underground river.
The cave was first described in the 17th century, although graffiti inside dated to 1213 indicates a much longer history of use.
In 1819, Archduke Ferdinand visited the caves making them a tourist destination. Electric lighting was added in 1884. In 1872, cave rails were laid along with first cave train for tourists. At first, these were pushed along by the guides themselves, later at the beginning of the 20th century a gas locomotive was introduced.
After 1945, the gas locomotive was replaced by an electric one. About 5.3 kilometres of the cave system are open to the public. We were taken by train for about 1.5 kilometers then walked about the same distance and rode the train out. It was fascinating.
It is hard to show the immense size of the space. In one cave it would have been possible to build a cathedral and it was filled with stalactites and stalagmites!
