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This growth is hardly coincidental. Not only is the cave filled with natural structures of immense beauty, it boasts over 130 different kinds of cave animals-84 of these are true cave species, a world record. Add to this a fun train ride, a one-of-a-kind 'human fish,' and impressive nearby locations, and this day trip becomes a truly exciting experience. Postojna is centrally located, halfway to the coast along the highway. A more enchanting way is to take a byway leading through Vrhnika and Logatec. Approaching Logatec, a lovely regional road leads through a unique avenue planted with two kilometres of dense lime trees on both sides. The limes were planted in the time of Illyrian provinces and therefore called "Napoleon's limes." Postojna Cave opened its doors for tourists in 1819, although earlier visits have been recorded. In the seventeenth century, Janez Vajkard Valvasor, epic Slovene historian, wrote that he had never seen a more awe-inspiring cave in all his travels through Europe and Africa. A train descends the cave depths at a constant 10ø C, from there a one-and-a-half-hour tour illuminates Postojna Cave's highlights. Crossing the bridge built by Russian prisoners during World War One, the beautiful caves come into view, along with constant dripping sounds associated with the cave-making process has gone on for over two million years. The Black Cave has walls covered in sooty blackness, and the Diamond and the Concert Hall are some of the more spectacular sites seen on this underground journey. For those eager to experience the cave's 'road less traveled', alternative journeys are available with tour guides. The cave fauna that reside in the Postojna-Planina Cave System is to this day unprecedented, indeed many cave species were first discovered in Postojna Cave. Apart from viewing cave 'celebrity' Proteus anguinis (a.k.a. the 'human fish'), visitors may view the recently opened Proteus Complex, with multimedia presentations on life in the cavern and a speleobiological laboratory. The Predjama Castle Predjama Castle serves as the perfect aboveground complement to the underground wonder nearby. Perched on a cliff 123 metres high, it conceals subterranean passageways with running water. The castle has a long history of being a safe haven in a dangerous environment. Its initial structure is said to have been built in the 12th century and its first mention was recorded in the late 13th century. The castle has had its fair share of rowdy guests and inhabitants; the most infamous is the 15th century robber baron Erazem. After getting into a bloody skirmish with Austrian Emperor Frederic III and killing one of his relatives, Erazem sought refuge in Predjama Castle, where he awaited those seeking to capture him, taunting them with freshly picked cherries and meat, thanks to the castle's secret underground tunnels. The legend tells of an unusual end for Erazem, getting hit by a cannonball while sitting on his toilet. In 1570, the castle was built into the form we know it today. The exhibits inside the castle offer a glimpse of life as it once was in the 16th century, a life without the comforts of technology and with added dangers of siege and theft. Predjama Castle has not yet divulged all its secrets; a hidden treasure was found buried in its depths by workers in a renovation project in the early 1990s. Adding function to natural beauty, the Slovenian company Istrabenz has built a new stop for tourists on their way to the coast-the tasty Jamski Dvorec restaurant.