Discover Brestanica: Rajhenburg Castle, Basilica and Hotels

Brestanica combines historical heritage, sacred architecture and landscapes with opportunities for active days. Rajhenburg Castle, the basilica in Brestanica, the cycle path through hills and valleys, and the Mačkovci fishponds give the town different facets that can be explored independently of one another.

Culture and history

The history of Rajhenburg Castle dates back to the Middle Ages. It was originally built between 1131 and 1147 under Archbishop Conrad the 1st. In 1881, Trappist monks purchased the castle and converted it into a monastery. The complex includes an original Romanesque chapel from the 12th century and a Gothic chapel added later in the 16th century.

Several exhibitions explore the history of the site. The permanent exhibition “Knights of Rajhenburg” tells the 429-year family history of the tenants of the Archbishops of Salzburg. Rajhenburg Castle also houses a permanent exhibition entitled “Trappists in Rajhenburg”. Other permanent and temporary exhibitions focus on the history of the castle, the town and the surrounding area. During guided tours of the castle, participants learn about the complex and its development, walk through the entire castle and visit permanent and temporary exhibitions.

Sacred buildings and visits

A second historical focus is the basilica in Brestanica. It was built between 1908 and 1914 as a three-nave church in the Neo-Romanesque style. The basilica can be visited daily, except when the priest is absent. To make sure that it is open, prior registration at the specified telephone number is recommended.

The accessibility of Rajhenburg Castle has also been expressly taken into account: the castle is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. There is also a wine gallery in the castle’s basement. The events programme includes concerts, theatre performances and lectures that visitors can attend.

Landscape and trails

The Brestanica cycle path runs through the hills and valleys in the Brestanica area. Alongside the historical sites, this places a route through the landscape at the centre of the experience. The Mačkovci fishponds are located approximately 2 kilometres northeast of Brestanica. The meadows and forests around the ponds offer opportunities for walking, fishing and day trips.

A prominent feature of the surrounding area is Rajhenburg Castle itself. It stands on a 60-metre-high rocky spur and offers a view of the confluence of the Brestanica stream and the Sava. In this way, the historical complex, its exhibitions and a clearly recognisable landscape setting come together in one place.

Leisure for different types of days

The local leisure facilities include a swimming pool with an Olympic-size pool and a children’s pool. Together, the two pools comprise approximately 1,350 m² of water surface. Together with the events at the castle, the cycle path and the opportunities at the Mačkovci fishponds, this creates a broad range of culture, exercise, water-based activities and time spent outdoors.

More town pages in the catalogue: Velika Vas pri Krškem, Armeško, Kostanjevica Na Krki, Krško, Raka.

To the higher-level travel overview: Krško.