Predjama Castle, located in  the Postojna Karst region. This architectural curiosity is described as an  eagles's nest in the middle of a 123m high rock wall. Archaeologists  have determined the cave  was most likely settled in the early Stone Age   ( Palaeolithic era). There is an old original castle under the one seen that was probably built as one of the fortifications of the Pivka Basin in about the 1st century B.C.  
In the book written by France Habe it is said  that the Predjama area associated with the cave was mentioned in 1202 when the Luegers were vassals of the Counts of Gorica. From then on it changed hands many times. At the bottom left is the river  flowing into the cave.  This castle is nestled in the hollow of a limestone rock wall. There is a tale of Erasmus, a knight under a Slovene King, who sided with the Hungarians at Trieste and fell out of favor. He eluded the authorities and escaped to this cave. From there he robbed rich people going from Trieste to the north.  He survived by using the numerous secret passages in the cave to obtain supplies, but was ultimately betrayed by a servant and killed by his adversaries. .
This shows the gostilna(restaurant) called  Veliki Otok.  This area had a little snow left from a 10 centimeter snowstorm three days earlier. .We visited the castle Jan 20.
It is  an impressive sight from the bottom of the walkway. You can see the perpendicular 123m high wall.  .The view from the black opening above the castle is spectacular. It is called Erasmus's eyrie. 
This is the room containing historical objects associated with the castle including a painting of Erasmus, one of Joseph Windischgratz, a coat of arms, a bust of Count Kobenzl and two chests. 
This room is on the third floor. It contains a suit of armor of the Venetian Doge, Bartolomeo Coleoni, dating from 1475. There are also pieces of medieval weaponry and an antique low chest. We couldn't include the mean looking clubs with spikes and hatchets in this picture.
From here at the top of the castle you can see the valley and also throw rocks down upon your enemies. They are repairing this room .It provides a wonderful view. 
This is the view that Erasmus saw from his eyrie. Nancy  could have remained there for hours. You feel like you are on top of the world. Only the top of a mountain would be better! It was dark inside, and since it was about 4:45pm, it was. nearly dark outside.
Here is Henry at the forbidden sign. There are more passages above the eyrie. It was dark there too.  The castle that we see today was built in 1583. This date was found on a portal with the initials "JK" for Joseph Koblenz, the builder. There are several rooms with windows, but the majority are open to the outdoors. and the stairways are open at the very top. It also had a lot of water draining down through crevices and along the walls. Some of this water was collected and used for drinking water.  One other tidbit of information is the presence of a torture chamber.  They had a form tied by his hands. It was down in hole and very unappealing to view.
  These pictures show  some  views of the famous caves of Postojna. The Postojna Cave system is the most famous in Europe.  Our Mammoth Cave is longer but does not have as many stalactites(from the ceiling) and stalagmites(from the floor).  The pure white is from calcium carbonate whereas the yellow  ones have a bit of iron in them.  
The  difference in height between people and stalagmite is striking.  There are areas that are so thick with them that people cannot get through. They have been growing for 2 million years. The Postojna cave system is over 23km long. A train ride conveys visitors to the walking trail near the lower levels.  The train ride traverses several narrow tunnels and passes many crystalline pillars. We saw formations of crystals that appeared to be curtains blowing in a breeze.     

This is a picture of the most famous stalagmite known as "Brillant" which stands 16m high. "Brillant" is the symbol of the Postojna Caves. In the subterranean area there is a 45 m high "Concert Hall" where choruses and musicians have performed. A dry area free from dripping is used by the musicians, but the audience may get damp.  There is one more open area, "Congress Hall", discovered in 1818 during preparations for the visit of Emperor Franz I.  
A field of stalagmites gives this picture a weird appearance.   Some of the formations look other worldly like terrains of other planets(thanks to the sci-fi writers). Some WWI Russian prisioners built a bridge in one place to link two upper chambers.  It is still possible to get lost if you wander off the path.  The cave operators have installed several energy saving devices. One type turns on the light when there is  movement at a certain point. At other points the lights are switched on and off. Limiting lighting not only saves energy but also prevents moss growth which discolors the minerals..
Another view of the pathway through the cave and its wonderful large crystals.  One of the most unique features are a few ceilings which have hundreds of  small white stalactites growing down.  The impressiveness of this cave has caused us to plan to revisit Mammoth Cave.    
Piran, a small, well preserved city on the Adriatic, at sunset.  It is necessary for visitors to park on the outskirts and walk into the center. Automobile access to the city is reserved for  residents of  Piran  This view is toward the north.
The boats in the lower left are separated from the Adriatic Sea by a wall. There is not much room for pedestrians.  There are retail shops, a post office, and a medical station in the buildings on the right..  
This is a large building on the main square. 
The is picture was taken from in front of the building in the previous picture.  Most of the buildings in Piran are located on the lower level with only a few special structures located on the rock cliff above the city.
A view similar to that above in different lighting.  
Yet another view of structures facing the town square.  Many colors of  paint are used on the houses.  They are soft and visually pleasant.
This is a corner lined with gostilnas as seen from the coastal edge. Seafood is the main speciality, but they have  a variety of other choices.  As is evident, the bottom floor is the working establishment and the upper floors are living areas and perhaps apartments to rent.  There has been renovating in some buildings and they look good. 
The sun is fading as we look toward the stone tower that serves as a lighthouse. On the other side of that structure we saw Koper, another Slovene city and the country's only seaport..   Huge ships can be seen there and in the Trieste harbor. 
A view of the light tower from almost directly below it.  
We happened to choose a quaint gostilna, called Gostilna Trattoria Piran, for dinner.  There were only 5 inside tables, but when the weather is nice, there is a patio area where patrons can sit and watch the water and visitors. We ordered a fish platter for two which included sea bass, a flat fish, scampi x4, squid x4,and for all you ocean and fish lovers two small octopii!! Nancy is like George Bush I and his proclamation about broccoli, no more squid or octopus for her. She doesn't have much of a fish gene.  The waiter was very nice but we failed to get his name.  

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A view of a great tasting fish platter. We didn't expect the whole fish, but we managed. There were also carrots and potatoes and perhaps spinach.  Excellent!
A night picture of sailboats.  This is for Henry's friend Ray Purdom.  They sailed together last summer .  There were some pretty sailboats and some very small dinghys.  
A fitting end to our week's activities. We didn't touch the water of the Adriatic, but got to see a beautiful sunset from Piran. A great Mediterranean experience that everyone should have.  

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