Castles are pillars that carry centuries of chronicles that belong to countries. I am a big castle lover and eager to explore castles. They reflect many aspects of lifestyle and culture in the days of yore. Observing the luxurious life spent by the monarchs leaves you with a fascinating impression. Moreover, Castles have always been masterstroke constructions that have cost a massive effort and material. Today we will explore a lofty palace owned by a robbery knight. To experience the bewitching view of this castle we have to fly all the way to the land of dragons. That’s none other than the cave castle of Predjama, Slovenia.

Location of the cave castle of Predjama

Predjama cave castle is located on the south-western side of Slovenia. You have to drive approximately 60 kilometers from the appealing capital of Predjama. This alluring cave castle is indeed a masterpiece of construction. It has been partially built into a natural cave and hangs over a 120m cliff for 800 years. According to the book of Guinness World Records, Predjama castle is the biggest cave castle in the world. Furthermore, this castle has a secret web of passageways designed underground.  According to history that this cave passageway has been the secret key to the castle’s prosperity rendered during the war times.

Predjama Castle was initially built coinciding with the gothic style in the 1200s but it was damaged due to an earthquake in16th century. It was rebuilt in renaissance style and dwells almost authentic. Firstly, Erazem Lueg originally built the castle in the 1200s. He was a robber knight. He used to attack carriages that are transporting from Trieste port to inland. The Habsburg Emperor was bothered by his behavior and ordered to capture him dead or alive. Secondly, the Habsburg family owned the castle after killing Erazem. Habsburg family was one of the most famous and distinguished families in Europe. This family ruled Europe for more than 600 years. After the second world war, Yugoslavia denominated Predjama castle as a national property. In 1991 communist state of Yugoslavia collapsed. And this sight was owned by the Republic of Slovenia.

cave castle of Predjama

The legend of Erasmus

The legend that has been knitted around this heavenly castle is also impressive indeed. According to the legend, Erazem has visited Vienna in 1483. Vienna was the capital of the Habsburg monarchy. Erazem got into a wrangle with a marshal of the Emperor’s army and it continued until the wrangle turned into a sword fight that killed the marshal. But that fight didn’t offer Erazem any fortune but misery. The emperor was livid to hear of the burden caused to his marshal by Erazem. He sent his army to capture Erazem’s castle and arrest him. The army encamped on the surrounding area of the Predjama castle. Due to this, no one was able to enter or leave the castle.

The army commander’s plan was to decrease the supply of food and other essentials to the castle.  But little did he know was that there was a secret passageway to the castle. Thanks to this cave passageway Erasmus was having a great time instead of misery. Erazem even sent gifts to Emperor’s armies. In cold and harsh winters he sent roasted ox to the army. Moreover, during Easter Erazem invited the army commander for a feast with lamb. And he offered rams for his men.

The Predjama castle Sojourned unconquered for years. But this was until Erazem sent cherries and fishes to the Emperor’s army in the spring. This was his terminal mistake. The army commander bribed the servant who brought food. The servant revealed that Erazem is using the water closet that had been located on the edge of the castle. That closet was a target that could capture easily by a canon.

Demise of Erasmus

The servant agreed to give a signal to the army when Erazem is using the water closet. And as contracted the army killed Erazem by a cannonball on the spot, advantaged by the servant’s signal. Erazem’s loving wife was extremely desperate due to the death of her dear husband. She buried his body next to the old church and planted a lime tree. That Lime tree is still there narrating the poor fate of Erazem.

underground cave of Predjama

The underground secret passageway

We cannot leave the “secret cave passageway” behind when talking about the cave castle of Predjama. This cave holds the title of “the second-longest” among Slovenian show caves. This has formed into four interconnecting floors. But they do not connect to Erazem’s hole and Erazem’s passage on the top floor. This cave stretches over 14 kilometers. This is not a basic, narrow, dark, ghostly cave at all. But a cave that encompasses a massive dance floor lightened with a glass chandelier and many more. It has several halls such as a white hall, red hall, spaghetti hall and a concert hall that can facilitate 10000 people.

There are limestone formations that are 90 million years old. Moreover, there are columns formed inside the cave. The tallest is comparable to a 16m tall skyscraper. This cave is not a lousy, gloomy tunnel but an enormous castle underground. We can never imagine that this entire setting is in the middle of a 123m high cliff. You don’t have to just walk around to see this amazing place. There is a special observation train established in 1872. It travels visitors inside this huge cave.

Baby Dragon

The cave of the castle of Pedjama is a place with lots of surprises. The most surprising among all is that it is the home for baby dragons. Baby dragons are a vertebrate species who are also known as 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘴. As Pedjama cave is considered a place where dragons have existed, some believe that 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘶𝘴 is a fading form of dragons. These creatures have been in caves for millions of years. They have 100 years of life span and can survive without food for 12 years. Baby dragons are well adapted to the environment in a cave. They have pale pink skin that has no pigmented protection. This skin looks like human skin and because of this they are called ‘Human Fish’.

baby dragon 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘶

So what do you think about this amazing castle and its mysteries? Have you ever visited there? Would you like to see a baby dragon for real? Tell me in the comment section.