- Address: 6230 Predjama, Slovenia;
- Website: postojnska-jama.eu;
- Phone: +386 5 700 01 00;
- Opening hours: in the summer months from 9:00 to 18:00, and from September to April until 16:00.
The Predjam castle is a national symbol of Slovenia , located 9 km from the Postojna Pit . The unique castle is built right in the rock at an altitude of 123 m. It is included in the Guinness Book of Records as the most interesting building in Slovenia. The history of the castle dates back more than 800 years.
History of the main attraction
The Prejam castle (Slovenia) is built in front of a large cave, which is the main building element. Based on the location, the name of the building appeared, that is, the pre-Yam means "pre-cave, located in front of the cave". The castle is a vivid example of a defensive structure that was erected in the Middle Ages.
Thanks to a tour of the castle, visitors will learn about the technologies of that time, the ingenuity of people. After all, when building the castle, they had to go to many tricks to create a single complex with a rock and a cave inside the building.
The interior exposition consists of medieval weapons, armor, interior and household items. The Predjam castle was often used as a playground for filming films and serials. Here we shot some episodes of the "Game of Thrones", films about Harry Potter.
The first mention of the castle in the annals belong to the 13th century, from the second half of this century the Yamskys' family became their owner. The well-known owners of the structure include the knight-baron Erasmus Luegga, who lived here in the XV-XVI centuries. There are many stories and legends connected with it. According to one of them, the baron killed the Austrian marshal in a duel, which was the reason for the war, but the Hungarian army could not take the castle, neither by storm, nor by siege. Only because of the traitor, who in the dead of night lit a lamp in the room where the baron was, enemy troops fired and killed a brave knight.
Erasmus Prdiamsky was buried next to the small Gothic church of St. Mary under the old lime tree. After his death, the castle passed to the nobles of Oberburg. Then they became owned by the family Purgstall, and in the 16th century there was a strong earthquake that damaged the castle.
In 1567 the Pre-Jewish castle rented, and then bought back von Kobenzl, under which the appearance of the structure underwent a major change. The nobleman was a big fan of the Renaissance, so he gave the castle the features of this style. The beginning of the 17th century was marked by the robbery of the castle - through thieves secret passage the most valuable things were taken out.
At the beginning of the 19th century the building changed its owner again, it became the noble family Koronini-Kronberg. They bought the Predjam castle from the Windischgräts family in 1847, which owns the building for the next hundred years.
In the modern castle, there are annual chivalric tournaments in honor of Erasmus Predjamsky, which complete with a medieval feast. Visitors will not only be told how Erasmus Predyamsky held the defense, but also will go deep into the cave, on the balcony - from where a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside opens up. As well as the oldest building in Slovenia, the castle houses the souls of many dead soldiers. The ghost of the Predjam castle is quite peaceful, but visitors can periodically hear mysterious steps and sighs.
Useful information for tourists
Predjamsky castle, photo of which must be in the album of a tourist traveling in Slovenia, is located in the most beautiful place. The surrounding nature simply fascinates visitors. You can contemplate it in a small restaurant that works on the site next to the parking lot of the castle.
The attraction can be viewed in any season, only in the summer months it is open from 9:00 to 18:00, and from September to April is open until 16:00.
The cost of admission depends on the age of the tourist. For example, for adults, the price is approximately 13.80 €, for children from 5 to 16 years you will have to pay 8.30 €. The cost can be found at the ticket office near the entrance to the castle or on the official website.
How to get there?
The Predjam castle is located in the south-west of the country and can be reached by a rented car on the A1 highway from cities such as Koper , Trieste. The driver needs to be guided by pointers and do not miss the turn to Postojna. The city also runs intercity buses from Ljubljana and other localities.