Europe's Longest Show Cave...

Formed over millions of year, the subterranean world of Postojna Cave is one of Slovenia's most breathtaking sights with a 200 year tradition of tourism.
At a length of 24 kilometres, Postojna Cave is one of the world's largest natural wonders that has attracted over 38 million visitors to explore the magnificant cave halls and take a ride the underground train. The cave is globally recognised biodiversity hotspot home to rare Proteus Olm - real life baby dragons.

...Transformed into a Festive Fairytale

Postojna Cave's annual Living Nativity Scenes transforms the entire five kilometre tourist route into a magical Christmas venue.
At the front of the cave experience a traditional Christmas market with local delicacies, crafts and stalls, before heading undergound for to explore an immersive nativity scene.
Photo caption: For 28 years, Postojna Cave has been the place to visit in Slovenia during the festive season.

Slovenia's Biggest Christmas Celebration 

Christmas is a time when people come together to celebrate and for 28 years Postojna Cave has hosted one of Slovenia's biggest festive events featuring a live Nativity scene and Christmas market.
The Living Nativity features the 16 Biblical scenes that make up the story of Christmas with more than 150 performers from local performers and top musicians.

The 28th Annual Living Nativity

Hightlights for this year's spectacle are performances by the legendary Slovenian musicans Oto Pestner and Irena Yebuah Tiran. 

Other highlights will include colourful illuminations, performances by the Magic Theatre Serpentes, a photo exhibition and elements designed by international artists such as Bolivia's Ejti Štih.

The Postojna Cave Story of Christmas 

The 16 scenes will be staged at different stops along Postojna Cave's 5 kilometre trail, to recreate the entire Nativity story including musical performances for a truly interactive experience.

1. Dance Hall
ANNUNCIATION BY AN ANGEL
An angel anticipates & announces a magical underground spectacle.

2. At the foot of the Great Mountain
THE ANNUNCIATION TO ZECHARIAH
The Jewish people await the Saviour. God begins fulfilling his plan according to the Zechariah's prophecy. Angel Gabriel tells the old priest Zechariah that his wife, Elizabeth, is going to give birth to a long-awaited child - a son to be named John.

3. At the Scyscraper
THE ANGEL ACCOMPANIES THE MIRACLE ANNOUNCEMENT
The angel accompanies the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist.

4. Great Mountain
THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Singer:Teja Saksida
Angel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary that she will give birth to the Son of God, who is to be named Jesus. The scene is accompanied by the song Ave Maria performed by Teja Saksida.

5. Near the Giants
ANGELS ACCOMPANY THE MIRACLE ANNOUNCEMENT
Angels accompany the annunciation of the birth of Messiah.

6. At the Parrot
MARY VISITS ELIZABETH
A meeting between Mary and the heavily pregnant Elizabeth who immediately realises that Mary is carrying the Son of God. At the same time a mysterious meeting takes place with John the Baptist and Jesus.

7. A MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
At the entrance to the Beautiful Caves Harp and violoncello:Urška Rihtaršiš & Arslan Hamidullin
A musical performance by the harpist Urška Rihtaršič and the violoncellist Arslan Hamidullin.

8. Spaghetti Hall
THE ANNUNCIATION TO JOSEPH
God sends to Joseph an angel, who puts Joseph's mind at ease - Joseph had suspected, Mary was carrying someone else's child, by commiting adultery. The angel explains to Joseph that the child Mary is carrying has been conceived by the Holy Spirit.

9. Red Hall
CENSUS
On the orders of Emperor Augustus, Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem, the city of Joseph's ancestors to register for the census records.

10. Heaven's Door
THE PEASANTRY AND A ROMAN SOLDIER
A Roman soldier directs the peasants to register for the census.

11. Turkish Grave
SEEKING A PLACE TO STAY
Mary and Joseph desperatly seek a place to stay in Bethlehem.

12. Bertarelli's Passage
THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE SHEPHERDS
In the middle of the night angels appear to the shepherds, announcing the birth of the Saviour of the World.

13. The Dry Passage
MUSIC FOLLOWING THE MIRACLE
Xylophone:Anja Lavrenčič
Contemporary sounds of the cave: the song The First Nowell performed by Anja Lavrenčič on xylophone.

14. At the Lowest Point
THE BIRTH OF JESUS
Singer:Oto Pestner
Mary and Joseph seek shelter in a stable where Mary gives birth to a son, the firstborn is placed in a manger for a crib. Holy Night performed by Oto Pestner.

15. At the Lowest Point
THE ARRIVAL OF THE MAGIC
A bright star shines in the sky that leads the Three Wise Men who are carrying gifts to Jesus, from the East.

16. Concert Hall
AMAZING GRACE
Singer: Irena Yebuah Tiran
Amazing Grace performed by Irena Yebuah Tiran in the Concert Hall.
An Inspiring Musical Spectacle

The five-day Christmas spectacle features up to 150 performers every day and each year the Nativity stars three well-known guest singers, making it one of Europe's biggest Christmas events.
The Nativity performance also aims to inspire the local community, with many of the roles played by amateur performers. Each of the performers live and breathe their roles making it one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the festive season.

The Stories Behind the Characters
Year after year, the dedication of performers make for a one-of-a-kind spectacle.

Zechariah and The Last Shave
The 68-year-old Milan K. shaves his beard every Wednesday and Sunday morning, something he has done his whole life. The first time he grew his beard was four years ago, to commemorate the period when his wife was in hospital and recovering after surgery. It was at this time he was spotted as the perfect fit for the role of Zechariah and since then completes his last shave on 6th October.

The Director
The 73-year-old Gabrijela B. has devoted her working life to coaching. In Postojna, she is known as one of the strictest and talented basketball coaches.

The Angel Coach
In Postojna's subterranean cave world she's had one of the most important roles for 22 years - a director that even the angels must obey!

Joseph
There are four scenes and four roles for Joseph in Postojna Cave's walking Living Nativity performance. Long hair, a long beard and acting skills are essential - but one sticks out!

The Joseph
The lead role in the scene called The Birth, the most challenging and emotional scene, goes to Nik Č. who has had the lead role for five years. He is religious, likes metal, plays the guitar and loves dogs! So he can perform in Postojna Cave, he takes five days annual leave and making sure to carefully hide all seven festival wristbands on his left hand!

Prom Queen's Make-up Artist
The 16-year-old Martina G. is studying to become a make-up artist. She spends her summer job wages on professional make up she "cannot afford" according to her sister! The busiest time of the year for her is the end of the school year, not just because it's an exam period, but also because she is the local prom make-up artist!

Virgin Mary
Local Instagram star leads the Nativity in the role of the Mother of God, Mary. Her Instagram goes quiet for a few days while she dedicates herself to the role of Virgin Mary. This year after dying her hair blonde, she loses the role of Virgin Mary and becames an angel instead.

The Three Wise Men
The three men from three very different backgrounds take on the roles of the Three Wise, despite not having much in common before they met, they have become good friends thanks to the nativety experience.

The Three Laughing Men
Anthony Bruno's first week after moving to Postojna was during a devastating sleet storm, which paralysed the town. He ended up making a new friend on that first day and got invited to the Living Nativity. Matej Kastelic became a performer when he saw the devotion of his newly bearded father, and Marino Samsa, a local artist. After meeting, the trio became great friends outside the cave and are known locally as the "three fun men".

The magical experience is a beautiful secret of the Slovenian subterranean cave world here at Postojna Cave.
The performances start with a train ride, followed by a guided walk through the cave's subterranean fairytale world. Visitors are accompanied with a guide and the experience takes 90 minutes.

 

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