Predjamski Grad

Also near to Postojna, a simple 10 km away is a mesmorising castle built into the rockface near to the tiny village of Bukovje. I found a photo of Predjamski Grad (Predjama Castle) in a day by day calendar that I had featuring special places around the world. Before leaving Amsterdam I went through this calendar and made a list of must see places, noting those that are likely to be on my path during the next year. Pedjamski Grad is one of those places.

Decided to stay in Postojna a night or two and hired a bicycle to get to the castle, the guy with the bikes was very helpful and suggested some routes I could take after the castle to lengthen the cycle. I picked a route and he advised how best to do it to avoid the big 5km climb on the way back. What he didn't say that regardless of any 5km climbs, every bloody road in Slovenia is a hill. This is nothing like cycling in Amsterdam !! Even the 10km to the castle is tough and the final steep, winding descent to the village is frightening due to the thought I have to get back up it later !

The castle is an amazing piece of medieval imagination, perched high in a cavern below an overhanging cliff with fields and a gentle stream flowing below. The castle in its present form dates back to 1570, but it is believed a castle of was first built at this site as far back as the 12th century. Its most famous inhabitant being Erasmus who lived here during the second half of the 15th century.



On the return journey I venture out on a scenic route through a few tiny villages, winding through fields, hills and more hills. Some huge descents on winding country roads carved through forests is a thrilling ride. The huge climb at the end is reminiscent of watching the Tour de France but my legs have warmed up by now and it's surprisingly not so bad when you have a bike with more than a couple of gears.