Vodovodni stolp

Vodovodni stolp, the Water Tower, is one of the best-known landmarks of Brežice, a small town on the Sava River in the Posavje region of southeastern Slovenia, close to the Croatian border. Water towers were built in many towns across Central Europe in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when piped water supply became a sign of modern urban life, and they were often designed to be handsome as well as useful. The Brežice tower follows this tradition, and its tower form makes it a convenient orientation point on a walk.

Like many such structures, the tower has been given a new life as a cultural venue. The inside has been adapted to hold exhibitions, and the programme changes through the year. Displays on archaeology and ethnology, which draw on the rich finds of the Posavje region, alternate with presentations of art, local history and heritage. Such conversions let visitors see the building's industrial architecture from inside, and a cafe on the premises makes it possible to combine the visit with a drink or a snack. Because the programme varies, it makes sense to check what is on and the current opening times before going, since small cultural venues often have seasonal hours and evening openings in summer.

The tower fits naturally into a walk through Brežice. The town's castle, a large Renaissance and Baroque building that houses the Posavje Museum, with its splendid Knights' Hall decorated with frescoes, is the main sight, and the old streets around it have cafes and small shops. The Church of St. Vitus is another point of interest. Along the Sava there are gravel paths for walking and cycling, and the meeting of the Krka and Sava rivers lies not far away. Even a historic public convenience in the town has been preserved as a curiosity.

Brežice lies close to the thermal resort of Čatež, to Mokrice Castle and to the wine hills of the Bizeljsko area, so it is easy to combine a short visit to the tower with other trips. The Nuclear power station at Krško is also nearby, though it is not a visitor attraction in the usual sense.

The tower suits those who like industrial heritage, small museums and town walks. A visit usually takes under an hour. Combined tickets with other local venues are sometimes available, so it is worth asking at the entrance or the tourist office.