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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..

Ljubljana is Slovenia's capital and largest city. It's known for its university population and green spaces, including expansive Tivoli Park. The curving Ljubljanica River, lined in outdoor cafes, divides the city's old town from its commercial hub.

The Ljubljana Castle sits above the city on the hill. I walked up and took the cable car down.

The building is the University of Ljubljana. It is one of the symbols of the city. Very close to the square are the markets, the additional bridges, the river promenade, restaurants and cafes. The place is usually crowded with tourists, but it is still one of the most magical places in the city. A great place to people watch.

Ljubljana is a great city to walk around day and evenings. There are many good restaurants and bars along the riverside and in the center of town.

A group having fun, playing musical instruments and dancing to the beat of the music.

The river Ljubljanica, with its interesting bridges and picturesque old city center embankments, is one of Ljubljana's most notable landmarks.

Lots of good restaurants throughout the central city.

The city's symbol is the Ljubljana Dragon. It is depicted on the top of the tower of Ljubljana Castle in the Ljubljana coat of arms and on the Ljubljanica crossing Dragon Bridge . It represents power, courage, and greatness.

Ljubjana is known for is many fine restaurants serving both inside and in the summer time outside along the river. every meal I had while in the city was excellent.

A great city to just walk and take it all in.

Ljubljana Cathedral or St. Nicholas's Cathedral serves the Archdiocese of Ljubljana. Easily identifiable due to its green dome and twin towers,

Preseren Square a relatively large square, located right in the heart of the old town,

In Ljubljana, Slovenia, you can get farm-fresh, raw cow's milk from a Mlekomat, which is a public vending machine. You typically bring your own bottle to fill or can buy one at the machine for about €1 per liter. The milk is kept cold at 36 degree Fahrenheit and dispensed daily from a local alpine farm, with the machine sanitizing itself with UV light after each use.

The Butcher's Bridge in Ljubljana is known as a "love lock" bridge where couples seal their devotion by attaching padlocks to the railings and throwing the keys into the Ljubljanica river below

Lots of great restaurants

There are many interesting buildings in the city.

We saw a flyer in the hotel telling us the San Jose State University Choraliers Gala Concert from San Jose, California was performing that night in Ljubljana. As a native Californian I had to go support one of our local University choirs on tour. The concert was excellent. After the concert several of us went to eat and leaving the restaurant I recognized a number of the performers. I had to chance to talk with them and congratulate them.

Today Sunday, we drove outside of Ljubljana about 45 minutes to Lake bled. We see in the distance an 800 year old Bled Castle hanging to a rocky cliff above Lake Bled..

The lake surrounds Bled Island. The island has several buildings, the main one being the pilgrimage church dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, built in its current form near the end of the 17th century. It is decorated with remains of Gothic frescos from around 1470 in the interior, and with rich Baroque furnishing.

The traditional transportation to Bled Island is a wooden boat known as a pletna. Some sources claim the pletna was used in Lake Bled as early as AD 1150, but most historians date the first boats to AD 1590.

The church has a 171 foot tower and there is a Baroque stairway dating from 1655 with 99 stone steps leading up to the building. The church is frequently visited and weddings are held there regularly.

Traditionally it is considered good luck for the groom to carry his bride up the steps on the day of their wedding before ringing the bell and making a wish inside the church. Hopefully the bride is slender and not weighing a lot. The groom in good shape to make the climb. Carrying a heavy bride up 99 steps is not a good beginning to a marriage.

Inside the Church Assumption of Mary Church

Inside the church you can see the rope hanging from the bell tower down to the floor area in the center of the photo. I was able to ring the bell and not have to carry a bride up the 99 steps.

Riding in a Plenta. Modern boats are still made by hand and are recognizable by their colorful awnings. Pletna oarsman employ the standing rowing technique to propel and navigate boats across the lake using two oars. The role of the oarsman dates back to 1740. The profession is still restricted. Many modern oarsmen descend directly from the original 22 families.

For centuries, Bled and Lake Bled, which boasts the only natural island in Slovenia, have been attracting people seeking special beauty. Traditional boats called pletna take visitors to see the island and the church, which has a bell that plays a special ode to love.

For centuries, Bled and Lake Bled, which boasts the only natural island in Slovenia, have been attracting people seeking special beauty, and which has a bell that plays a special ode to love.

Sign board with a diagram of the Bled Castle on the hill looking down on Lake Bled .

Once inside Bled Castle we visit an antique printing machine still in operation today.

The view from Bled Caste to Lake Bled below was spectacular.

From the railing overlooking Lake Bled below was straight down.

Close up shot of Lake Bled Island in the distance that we had just left.

Overhead parachutes gliding toward earth passed over us.

After looking closer I discovered the parachutists were tandem and literally flew right over me at the Castle.

Eastern valley side of Bled Castle.

In the museum at the castle were decorated pieces of sheet gold.

The residential areas of Lake Bled city.

Looking down from the height of the Bled Castle to the main general area of the Castle and the lake below.

Views from the castle the surrounding areas. The Austrian moutains in the distance.

Our final full day in Ljubljana, Slovenia in the morning is a private cruise in a wooden boat on the Ljubljanica River through the suburbs of the Capital City, under the many bridges

We motor past Špica, where people used to swim in the river and sunbathe on the shore,

We turn around and return to the city center

St. Mary Annunciation church or Franciscan church, The Triple Bridge, Marketplace, The Butcher’s Bridge,

The Butcher's Bridge, unlike the name suggests is actually a love bridge with numerous love locks along the side rails

The Dragon Bridge, adorned with its iconic dragon statues, features in some of the most recognizable images of Ljubljana.

Another view of The Butcher's Bridge, the lover bridge with numerous love locks along the side rails.

On my last afternoon in Ljubljana I climbed up the many hundreds of stairs to Ljubljana Castle. view from the top across the city.

The contemporary presentation of the works of four Slovenian impressionists with three-dimensional projections and selected ambient sound in the Casemate, the castle’s largest hall, takes you on a unique sensory journey through the moments that inspired these painters more than a century ago.

The trip was a wonderful trip through Croatia, Montenegro, Herzegovina & Bosnia, and Slovenia. I highly recommend visiting these countries. The people, the food, the landscapes of the land made for a fantastic trip. Definitely a great trip on the Crossroads of the Adriatic.

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© 2025 Jim Schroder