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Slovenia

After leaving Croatia for the last time we enter Slovenia. Along the way we stop a Postojna Caves, a 12 miles long underground cave system that is considered one of the finest limestone formations in the world.

You enter the cave system via a 2.1 mile train ride into the caves. We were given, prior to riding the train, an audio receiver that as you walk through the mammoth cave system, 3 miles, with a walking tour about 2 hours, identified by numbers you learn of the different areas of the cave.

As you walk through the cave system, looking for numbers to listen to what you are seeing.

As you walk thorough the diverse collection of tunnels on the narrow walking trails you see sculpted galleries, stalactites and stalagmites,all highlighted to see its majesty.

The cave system is 15.12 miles long long overall. Only 3 miles is open to the public. It is made up of four caves interconnected through the same underground river.

The cave was first described in the 17th century by the pioneer of study of limestone and dolomite. Although graffiti inside dated to 1213 indicates a much longer history of use.

Incredible what mother nature can build for us to enjoy.

In 1819 the caves became officially known as a tourist destination. Then the first official tourist guide for the caves were opened to the public. 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.

During World War II, German occupying forces used the cave to store nearly 1,000 barrels of aircraft fuel, which were destroyed in April 1944 by Slovene Partisans. The fire burned for seven days, destroying a large section of the cave and blackening the entrance.

The formation of Postojna Cave goes back to approximately three million years ago when it started to be formed in 70-million-year-old limestones, which means that the Skyscraper is still in a young stage.

The colors are amazing.

The cave also houses the world’s first and only underground post office which initially opened in 1899..

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