The Cave Castle

February 20, 2007 11:49 AM

The Castle in Front of the Cave is, unsurprisingly, a castle in Slovenia fully integrated with a cave system; built in several stages beginning in the 13th century, the castle serves as the front to a large network of caves in the side of a mountain. This excellent flickr photoset has plenty more detail about the castle's history, defense systems & more. For those who want more detail, a series of QTVR panoramic images of the insides of the castle available on this Slovenian site. Via.
posted by jonson (24 comments total)

Holy frigging coolness.
posted by gottabefunky at 11:56 AM on February 20, 2007

Castle: Cool
Cave: Really cool
Torture chamer: Awesome
3 foot wide "tourmanent grounds" right on the edge of a cliff: Priceless
posted by DU at 11:59 AM on February 20, 2007

That is just marvellous. I wanna go!
posted by owhydididoit at 12:00 PM on February 20, 2007

This is the kind of house I always thought I'd have, back when I was 8 and liked to think about what sort of house I'd have when I was 37.
posted by Mister_A at 12:07 PM on February 20, 2007

Excellent!
posted by caddis at 12:07 PM on February 20, 2007

That's like totally black metal.
posted by The Straightener at 12:20 PM on February 20, 2007

holy geez.

is this kind of construction (ie building that is ludicrous, breathtaking, monumental and largely inefficient in the same awed instant) to this degree done anymore?
posted by pokermonk at 12:23 PM on February 20, 2007

When I read the title, I thought this might have something to do with Nick Cave. Now that I know it isn't - the castle is amazing. Really beautiful. Except I've got "Stagger Lee" in my head while looking at the photos, now.
posted by katillathehun at 12:29 PM on February 20, 2007

Whatever. Drop me a line when they put in the underground sub base.
posted by brundlefly at 12:39 PM on February 20, 2007

great find - amazing. Legos, anyone?
posted by taliaferro at 12:41 PM on February 20, 2007

It's a fantastic castle and I would encourage anyone to visit if they can. (It's not too far from Venice.)

Also worth mentioning is that the caves of that region are host to some really odd creatures like Olms, alias Proteus, alias the "Human Fish," which were in medieval times thought to be Baby Dragons. If you take a tour of the caves you'll see them. And if you're lucky you might also find anophthalmus hitleri (The Hitler Beetle) which can fetch upwards of £1000 a pop on the black market.
posted by Ljubljana at 12:51 PM on February 20, 2007

It looked like a great idea - virtually endless room to store all those things that just can't be discarded. But the existence of an outhouse is a deal breaker. Even if no one fires a cannon at it.
posted by Cranberry at 12:53 PM on February 20, 2007

Now, that's a panic room! Rumor has it, if you whisper "Frau Blucher" on a moonless night into the mouth of the cave ...

And ljubljana, love the added local color! From the wiki link on the "human fish":

In one reported case, an olm* was placed in a jar in a refrigerator for more than a decade. It was reportedly still alive when finally removed, though with severe damage to its internal organs, including the reabsorption of its own digestive tract for sustenance.

*"Stargate" fans will know the olm by its other name, the Goa'uld.
posted by rob511 at 1:18 PM on February 20, 2007

The best trip I've ver had was to Croatia and Slovenia. Our guide was my sister's Serbian boyfriend, who spoke a bunch of languages. That made a big difference, prices in restaurants in tourist areas magically changed when he ordered. Anyway, "pivo Zlatorog, veliko" is all you need to know.

These caves RULE. There is an artificial stone pool where you can see, and touch if you are sneaky, the Olms.

As Ljubljana says, anyone doing the traditional European tours should take a small detour here.

I wonder how many new McDonalds and Starbucks have set up shop since.
posted by Dataphage at 1:36 PM on February 20, 2007

Wow, pretty much a real life Helms Deep. Very cool.
posted by octothorpe at 1:58 PM on February 20, 2007

I stayed in a cave hotel in Cappadocia, Turkey. Ever since, I've REALLY wanted me one of them there cave houses. Amazingly comfortable! They totally rock. Bad pun aside.
posted by miss lynnster at 2:21 PM on February 20, 2007

prices in restaurants in tourist areas magically changed when he ordered

It's funny cause it's true. (self-link, careful)

"pivo Zlatorog, veliko"

I think you just won a place in my heart. But you'll be happy to hear that Starbucks hasn't made it over yet, and I don't think you can find a McDonald's anywhere near this particular castle. There are plenty of them around, though.
posted by Ljubljana at 2:37 PM on February 20, 2007

"Whatever. Drop me a line when they put in the underground sub base."

Brundlefly, check the second link and hit next. The sub base is there.
posted by Jumpin Jack Flash at 4:58 PM on February 20, 2007

"...Erazem allegedly catapulted a roasted ox from the castle..."
posted by zoinks at 5:33 PM on February 20, 2007

I am officially in real estate lust. I want one!
posted by dejah420 at 6:32 PM on February 20, 2007

oooh, What a cool castle! Neat post, as usual jonson. Something fiercely elegant about the place.

Loved the bizarre and interesting detail about the olms. Thanks Ljubljana. More about this mysterious dragon baby creature.

Pic of a pretty cave hotel in Turkey.
posted by nickyskye at 9:25 PM on February 20, 2007

Jumpin Jack Flash writes "Brundlefly, check the second link and hit next. The sub base is there."

Indeed.

*scratches goatee*

Indeeeed.
posted by brundlefly at 12:53 AM on February 21, 2007

Reminds me a little bit of the church in Idar-Oberstein.
posted by ereshkigal45 at 8:56 AM on February 21, 2007

Wow, Nicky - that place is gorgeous - thanks!
posted by jonson at 9:26 AM on February 21, 2007