Postojna Cave, Show cave in Postojna, Slovenia
Description
Postojna Cave is an extensive underground system carved through limestone containing many passages with white stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousands of years. The cave features illuminated chambers connected by galleries where visitors walk or ride through the passages.
History
The cave was first systematically explored in 1818 during preparations for an imperial visit, which opened new sections for public access. This early investigation marked the beginning of organized tourism at the site.
Culture
The underground railway installed here in 1872 fundamentally changed how visitors experience the cave and made it a major destination across Europe. The railway allowed more people to explore the deeper chambers that would have been difficult to reach on foot.
Practical
Tours combine a train ride through illuminated passages with a walking section on marked paths through the cave. Both parts are accessible to most visitors, though some areas have steps and uneven ground.
Did you know?
An underground post office has operated inside the cave since 1899, where visitors can have letters stamped and mailed from underground. The cave maintains a constant temperature of 10 degrees Celsius year-round, creating a cool environment regardless of the season.
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Caves form through gradual geological processes that can span millions of years. Water dissolves limestone and creates underground chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites, while ice caves in alpine regions maintain their frozen formations even during summer months. Each cave system tells a...
Slovenia covers some 7,800 square miles (20,000 square kilometers) between the Alps and the Adriatic, offering a concentration of different landscapes from the Julian Alps to the coast. The karst caves of Postojna and Škocjan rank among Europe's most extensive underground systems, while lakes such...
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