Brestanica river

Brestanica is a small town on the left bank of the Sava, in the Posavje region of eastern Slovenia, between Krško and Sevnica, and the river is the main element of its setting. The Sava, the longest river in Slovenia, flows here through a broad valley between wooded hills, and the town grew up where the valley narrows and the castle of Rajhenburg rises on a rock above the water. The river has shaped the place for centuries, providing transport, fish, water for mills and fertile soil on its floodplain, and today its banks offer easy, quiet walks in the middle of the town's surroundings.

The river is wide and calm here, in part because of the chain of hydroelectric power stations that now controls its flow, and one of these stands near Brestanica. Dams have turned long stretches of the Sava into slow reservoirs, and the water reflects the hills and the sky, which gives a peaceful look. Paths and embankments along the water are used by walkers, joggers and cyclists, and in some places there are benches and picnic spots. Fishermen work from the banks, and anglers often have the river to themselves in early morning or evening. Birds are plentiful: herons stand in the shallows, cormorants dry their wings on posts, kingfishers dart along the banks, and in winter, flocks of ducks and other waterfowl gather on the open water. Willows, poplars and alders line the banks, and in spring the sound of frogs fills the air.

The riverside makes a pleasant setting for a day around the town. From the bank, the view of Rajhenburg Castle, standing on its crag above the roofs, is particularly good, and in the late afternoon, the castle's walls glow in the light. The castle, with its history as a Trappist monastery and a wartime camp for expelled Slovenes, can be visited, and it forms the centre of the town's heritage. The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, a place of pilgrimage with a grotto, is nearby, and quiet roads lead into the hills, where farms and vineyards produce wine and fruit.

For refreshment, the town offers a few simple places to eat. Gostišče Senica and Restavracija A3 serve regional dishes, and a meal on a terrace with a view of the water is a pleasant way to end a walk. The area is described in more detail under Slovenian countryside (exploration). Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking along the river, since summer can be hot and humid. Floods occasionally affect the lowest paths after heavy rain, so it is wise to check conditions.