Southwest Tower of Brežice Castle – Restored Heritage, New Experiences

Restoring Valuable Cultural Heritage

The main objective of the Southwest Tower of Brežice Castle project is to preserve valuable cultural heritage and integrate it into contemporary cultural, educational and tourism programmes.

The project included investment and maintenance work, construction and building works, and restoration work to protect and preserve the castle’s historic structures, roof surfaces and other protected features. Special attention was given to preserving the exceptional timber structures, which bear witness to the construction knowledge and craftsmanship of past centuries.

The restored rooms in the southwest tower offer a glimpse into the valuable architectural heritage of Brežice Castle. They also feature new content that will allow visitors to explore history in a modern, engaging and interactive way.

Construction, building and installation works were carried out by SL-inženiring Boršt d. o. o. of Cerklje ob Krki. The contract value was €777,603.50, including VAT.

The conservation work was overseen by Dr Tomaž Golob of the Novo mesto Regional Unit of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia.

Two New Cultural and Tourism Experiences

An important part of the project was the development of two new cultural and tourism experiences that introduce visitors, through hands-on exploration, to the rich architectural heritage of Brežice Castle and the wider Posavje region.

“16th-Century Master Carpenters” presents traditional late Renaissance carpentry skills, historic timber structures and the craftsmanship of the builders of the past. The experience brings together authentic castle interiors, the original timber structure and contemporary interpretation, allowing visitors to learn about traditional building techniques.

“Builders of the Castles of Posavje” takes visitors through the history of castle construction and reveals the architectural and cultural heritage of Posavje. The experience combines digital content, interactive presentations and the exploration of the historical and architectural development of the castles.

The project also developed new digital and interactive experiences, including an interactive 3D visualisation of the construction of Brežice Castle, a smart bench, a mobile application and escape room, and interactive experiments for young people and visitors of all ages based on the four elements: earth, water, fire and air.

The new content is intended for visitors of all generations, with a particular focus on encouraging children and young people to explore, create and learn through experience. Visitors can engage with the heritage not only by observing it, but also by taking part and experiencing it first-hand.

Promoting Cultural Heritage and Connecting the Local Community

In addition to the physical restoration, the project includes the development of cultural and tourism content, as well as information and promotional activities.

The planned promotional activities include a film about the restoration and revitalisation of the tower, a publication on the cultural heritage and new tourism experiences—including an edition for blind and visually impaired visitors—promotional materials, souvenirs, presentations and promotion through digital channels.

The project also places strong emphasis on connecting local providers, associations, volunteers and other stakeholders, and on incorporating the new content into the wider tourism offer. It therefore contributes to raising the profile of Brežice Castle and the Posavje Museum Brežice, developing high-quality, year-round visitor experiences, and strengthening cooperation between the cultural and tourism sectors and the local economy.

The value of the new cultural and tourism content and promotional activities is €153,557.07, including VAT. This amount covers the development of digital and interactive experiences, the purchase of related equipment, and information and promotional activities.

Project Value and Co-Funding

The contract value for construction, building and installation works is €777,603.50, including VAT. The value of the new cultural and tourism content and promotional activities is €153,557.07, including VAT. The total value of these two components is therefore €931,160.57, including VAT.

The project received significant support from the Ministry of Culture, which will provide €628,660.87 in co-funding. The project is co-funded under Slovenia’s 2021–2027 European Cohesion Policy Programme.

An Investment in the Future of Brežice Castle and the Posavje Museum Brežice

The restoration of the southwest tower is an important step in the long-term preservation and revitalisation of cultural heritage. With its new content, Brežice Castle is becoming an even more appealing place to explore history, learn, meet and enjoy cultural and tourism experiences.

The project is more than an investment in the restoration of a historic building—a nationally protected immovable cultural monument. It is an investment in the castle’s future. By bringing together the rich heritage of the castle, modern technologies and innovative approaches, Brežice Castle and the Posavje Museum Brežice are strengthening their role as an important cultural centre and tourist attraction for Brežice and the wider Posavje region.

The Rich Castle Heritage of the Municipality of Brežice: An Important Opportunity for Cultural and Tourism Development

The Municipality of Brežice has a rich cultural heritage that forms an important part of its identity and has great potential for the development of cultural and sustainable tourism. Three castles hold a special place in this heritage: Brežice Castle, Pišece Castle and Mokrice Castle. Each contributes to the destination’s profile through its own history, architecture and stories.

Since 2026, the Posavje Museum Brežice has managed two castles: Brežice Castle and Pišece Castle. Taking over the management of Pišece Castle, which reopened to the public after many years of restoration, is an important milestone for the municipality and the entire Posavje region. It is the result of cooperation between the Ministry of Culture, the Municipality of Brežice and the Posavje Museum Brežice, and creates new opportunities for professional management, revitalisation and improved public access to cultural heritage.

The restoration of the southwest tower of Brežice Castle and the reopening of Pišece Castle are significantly strengthening the municipality’s cultural and tourism offer in 2026. Both achievements show that cultural heritage is not merely a valuable legacy of the past, but a living space for meeting, creating, learning and discovering new experiences.

Brežice’s castles are also an important part of the wider Castles of Posavje story—a regional network of castle managers and other important cultural heritage sites that encourages joint promotion, the development of tourism products and greater recognition of Posavje in Slovenia and abroad.

For the Municipality of Brežice, investing in cultural heritage is therefore not only about preserving the past, but also about investing strategically in the future. Connecting the three castles, the professional work of the Posavje Museum Brežice, cooperation with national institutions and local stakeholders, and the development of contemporary visitor experiences create opportunities to improve the tourism offer, attract more visitors, encourage longer stays and support the continued development of the local community.

By preserving its heritage and opening it up to the public, the Municipality of Brežice is building a bridge between the past and the future and strengthening its position as one of Posavje’s leading destinations for castle heritage.