My husband, Nick, and I were fortunate to visit Slovenia’s Postojna Cave on Christmas Day 2012. For five days a year, starting on Dec. 25, there is a holiday pageant inside the cave.
During our visit, after riding a small train for eight minutes deep into the cave, we saw a small choir singing Christmas carols. Following the long path through the cave, we encountered living tableaus of the story of Jesus’ birth.
It began with an “angel,” a woman in dazzling white robes under a spotlight singing “Ave Maria”; this depicted Mary’s being foretold of Jesus’ birth. After a walk to another room of the cave, we saw an angel come to Joseph. In another was an angel speaking to Elizabeth regarding John’s birth.
We saw Mary and Joseph looking for a room to spend the night in Bethlehem. Deep in the cave, we passed shepherds watching lots of (fake) sheep and three wise men bearing gifts… then the cave went black.
When the light returned, an angel sang “Silent Night” and we saw the wise men approach Mary, Joseph and the Babe, bestowing gifts.
Walking on, we took another train out of the cave.
Part of a tour with Overseas Adventure Travel (Cambridge, MA; 800/955-1925), it was a wonderful, memorable Christmas day experience in Slovenia.
V. RUTH BARNES
Merritt Island, FL
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