First mentioned in 1274, the castle is famous as the stronghold of the 15th-century knight and robber baron Erazem of Predjama. According to legend, he held out against an imperial siege for more than a year, supplied through a secret passage in the cave behind the castle, until a servant betrayed him and he was killed by a cannonball while using the toilet. The castle’s present Renaissance appearance dates from 1570.
Inside, you can explore the armoury, chapel, kitchen and torture chamber, while the attic displays armour and medieval weapons and looks out over the valley. Behind the walls lies the cave where Erazem found shelter, and the cave system beneath the castle, home to a colony of bats, is usually open only in summer. Predjama pairs perfectly with nearby Postojna Cave, just a few kilometres away.
Framed by its towering cliff, the castle makes an unforgettable first impression.
