Brežice

Brežice is a town with ~7,000 inhabitants and the administrative center of the Municipality of Brežice. The town is situated on the Krško-Brežice plain, on the left bank of the Sava River near its confluence with the Krka. Historically part of the Styria region, the town center is compactly built along a wide main road leading from Brežice Castle towards the heart of the city.

Its favorable location has influenced settlement since ancient times. Celtic tombs from the 2nd century BC were discovered here, and after the return of the Slavs, a settlement called Gradišče was formed. In the 16th century, it merged with the neighboring town of Civitas Rann.

In the mid-13th century, Brežice Castle became the administrative center of the area, first mentioned in 1249. The urban settlement of artisans and merchants developed around the castle. City rights were granted in 1353, and the administration was headed by a city judge appointed by the Archbishop of Salzburg.

Today, the castle houses the Posavje Museum Brežice. The castle remains well-preserved, with major renovations dating back to the 16th century. It presents the rich heritage of the Posavje region from antiquity to the present day. A major architectural highlight is the Knight's Hall, decorated with magnificent baroque frescoes from the early 18th century, known for its exceptional acoustics.

The town survived Turkish invasions, peasant revolts (1515 and 1573), and plague epidemics. In the 19th century, it became an important center of the national awakening, marked by the opening of the National Hall (Narodni dom) in 1904.