Brežice - Slovenia

A PLACE FOR A WALK WITH A TRACE OF HISTORY …

“[…] The Rivers Sava and Krka are of blue-green colour. The rushing Sava brings greetings from Gorenjska region (Upper Carniola). Pleasantly quiet and meek Krka speaks stealthy of the indescribable beauty of the surroundings of its source to the mouth where it flows into the Sava. […] The metropolis of Lower Posavje – Brežice – lies on a sort of a ridge and is the centre of a lively trade and craft. […]” This is how Brezice has been described in Slovenski narod (Slovene Nation) in 1940. Brežice is a city which was built on a hillside above the confluence of Sava and Krka. In the past it had an important strategic role but throughout history trade and craft represented its main character. One can feel its historical spirit while on a peaceful walk through the old city streets and old but carefully restored houses. Some of these houses include mighty houses that were meant for defence and clerical services, and also smaller, but no less genuine and attractive, houses whose owners were craftsmen.

Our walk begins in the south of the city near the double bridge over the Sava and Krka Rivers, which was built in 1906 and was dedicated to the Emperor Franz Joseph. The bridge connected Styria and Carniola but before that the transition between lands was possible only by ferry. At the southern entrance of the city lies a mighty Brežice Castle from the 11th century which was, with its walls built in the 16th century (today only partially preserved), a part of the defence system. The castle is marked by its turbulent history: fire, peasant revolt, Turkish raids; but today the collections of the Posavje Museum, which lies inside the Castle walls, testify on its history, history of Posavje, ethnology and art history. During the tour of the Museum we must not leave out Knight’s Hall, the largest and most beautiful painted baroque hall in Slovenia. Our trail leads us past the castle buildings (granary and former stables) to the municipal building. On the opposite side of the street stands the so-called Old Pharmacy, the oldest preserved house in Brežice which is determined by years 1641 and 1695 written above the portal. Other characteristics of the house are spiral chimney and semi-circular niche with the image of Holy Mary and the building has, as the name implies, held a pharmacy in the past.

Our journey through the city is accompanied by the water tower, which is beside the Castle one of the most representative sights of the city. It was built in 1914 for the needs of the city’s water distribution system and it measures 46 metres in height. The City Hall is the former home of city’s authority and excellence and it quickly attracts the eye. It was built in 1709 when the development of the city was in the blossom which is indicated by its relatively “festive” architecture. One of the greatest architectural accomplishments of the city is St. Lawrence’s Church from 1781 which was built as a replacement for the old church. The old church’s foundations were drained by the Sava River during the flood which ran along the western side of the city at that time. Opposite the Church stands the beauty among town houses – the house of the Del Cott Family – house of an Italian merchant, who immigrated to Brežice in 1771. The characteristics of the house are original ironwork shutters and storage facilities for goods under the house.

The northern part of the city is the evidence of the division of urban population on German citizens and Slovene citizens. Slovene citizens of Brežice have been gathering in Narodni dom (former hotel Klembas) where they organized theatre plays and concerts, while the German citizens have been gathering in Nemški dom which is famous for its distinctive building style of Northern Renaissance. It stands in its magnificence next to the former northern city gates that were a part of the city walls but today the only evidence of the existence of the controlling tower is the paved trapezoid floor plan on the street. In addition we can walk past the wartime exiles’ monument up to the former Franciscan monastery – today’s high school – and end the walk at St. Rok’s Church. This church is important because right on St. Rok’s name day before the World War II a widely attended trade fair with many stalls took place in the city.

Otherwise, the city was once the meeting point of trade and craft routes, therefore, these activities quickly developed in the city and with them transport as well. It is interesting that Brežice was also a shipping centre until 1718 because The Sava River was once an important traffic route of Austrian provinces to the east. Numerous written testimonials are the proof that the artisans were interconnected and that the city and the artisans assisted each other. The industry began to develop rapidly in the seventies of the 20th century and brought increased population, new constructions and the formation of the “new Brežice” with it.

However, the houses of the old city centre are still the silent witnesses of the past days. The breeze of the past and the present will not leave you indifferent in Brežice and the people will welcome you with open arms … as they always have.

… AND A PLACE WITH RICH CULTURAL AND TOURIST BEAT

Brežice today are characterized by diverse cultural events. Every summer the old city centre shines in the glow of the rich fun, cultural, sports and ultimately more and more tourist-coloured event “Brežice, moje mesto” (Brežice, My Town).

In order for the festival “Brežice, moje mesto” to become increasingly recognisable and attractive to others, not just local residents, this year it is also supported with exciting tourist packages that will not disappoint the visitors. In the company of famous citizens of Brežice you will be able to embark on a guided adventure to the numerous tourist and other attractive points in Posavje region, fell in love with the beauty of the Krka River and refresh yourself with traditional culinary delights of the rich Brežice region.

1. PACKAGE: Lepote narave (Beautiful Nature)

- tour of the natural park Jovsi
- tasting of homemade food on a tourist farm
- tour of the oldest homestead in Slovenia – Ban's Homestead

2. PACKAGE: Doživetje zelene lepotice Krke (Adventure on the Green River Krka)

- rafting down the river Krka; start in Podbočje
- afternoon sports activities at Sports Recreation Centre Grič – swimming, volleyball, football

3. PACKAGE: Kraljestvo žlahtne kapljice (Kingdom of Grapevines)

- tour of the Bizeljsko Castle and Klakocar Wine Cellar with wine tasting
- tour of the sand cave »repnica« with tasting of homemade goods
- short walk through the vineyards
- champagne tasting in the Istenič Wine Cellar

4. PACKAGE: Adrenalinski hit Wakeboarding (Adrenaline Rush Wakeboarding)

- wakeboarding and water-skiing in the First Wake Park)

Favourable lodgings will be available at the time of the festival “Brežice, moje mesto” for the visitors of Brežice in the modern hostel “MC Hostel Brežice” which is located near the old city centre of Brežice. The old city centre is also the central part of the event and in the immediate proximity of the Brežice Castle and the city park. Hostel is available to visitors all year round and offers leisure activities and is interesting for both cyclists and hikers. 

Further information:
www.mc-hostel.si
www.bmm.si
www.visitbrezice.si