| Brestanica | |
|---|---|
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Brestanica
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Slovenia |
| Traditional region | Styria |
| Statistical region | Lower Sava |
| Municipality | Krško |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.88 km2 (1.1 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 177.9 m (584 ft) |
| Population (2002) | |
| • Total | 973 |
| [1] | |
Brestanica is a small town in the Municipality of Krško in eastern Slovenia. Until 1953 the town was called Rajhenburg (from German Reichenburg). It lies in the valley at the confluence of the Sava River with a minor tributary called the Brestanica. The area was traditionally part of Styria. It is now included with the rest of the municipality in the Lower Sava statistical region.[2]
The Protestant preacher, teacher, and author of the first grammar of the Slovene, Adam Bohorič, was born in the town in 1520.
On a hill on the right bank of the Sava River, to the south of the settlement, is Brestanica Castle. It was first mentioned in written documents dating to AD 895, making it the earliest documented castle in Slovenia. It has preserved some of its Romanesque features and an early Gothic chapel, but most of its current structure dates to around 1600. During the Second World War it was used as a deportee collection centre by the Nazi occupying regime.[3]
The parish church in the town is a basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes and belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Celje. It was built between 1908 and 1914 in a Neo-Romanesque style. Previously the parish church was a church in the southern part of the settlement, dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. It was first mentioned in written documents dating to 1213, but the current building was built in 1341 with a 17th-century belfry and two 18th-century side chapels.[4] A third church in the town, close to the parish church, is dedicated to Saint Sebastian. On a hill to the east of the settlement a further church is dedicated to Saints Hermagoras and Fortunatus. It was built in the late 15th century and has a chapel dedicated to Saint Notburga with well preserved, high-quality wall paintings.[5]