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Brežice Welcomes European Cinema and Celebrates 120 Years of an Engineering Landmark

Published: 4.8.2026

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Brežice Welcomes European Cinema and Celebrates 120 Years of an Engineering Landmark

This August, the historical town of Brežice invites visitors to discover two remarkable stories. One celebrates an engineering masterpiece that has stood the test of time, the other brings contemporary European cinema to a magnificent historic setting.

 

As Brežice marks the 120th anniversary of its iconic Sava Bridge and welcomes the European Film Festival, the town offers a unique blend of engineering heritage, architectural beauty and contemporary culture.

120 Years of the Iconic Sava Bridge

The reinforced-concrete bridge spanning the Sava and Krka rivers, known simply as the Sava Bridge, marks its 120th anniversary on 14 August 2026. Completed in 1906, the 524-metre-long structure was among the longest reinforced-concrete bridges in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and represented a major engineering achievement of its time.

Connecting Brežice's old town with the area of Čatež ob Savi, the bridge has shaped the town for more than a century. Until WWII, crossing it came with a toll – charged not only for horse-drawn carriages and cyclists, but even for wheelbarrows and baby strollers. Today, the bridge offers one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the confluence of the Sava and Krka rivers and remains one of Brežice's most recognisable landmarks. It has even appeared on the big screen as a filming location in Armour of God, starring Jackie Chan.

Visitors can discover the bridge through guided thematic walks, including the Path of Love, which reveals stories of the town's history, architecture and life along both riverbanks.

Discover more what you can do in Brežice

European Cinema in a Historic Setting

From 26 to 29 August, Brežice will also become a meeting point for European cinema during the Festival of European Film Brežice. Set against the backdrop of the town's historic streets and landmarks, the festival presents a carefully curated selection of contemporary European and auteur films, creating a dialogue between architectural heritage, film and modern European culture.

The festival's main venue is Brežice Castle, home to the Posavje Museum Brežice. Alongside exhibitions showcasing the region's rich history – including stories of the historic peasant revolts – visitors can admire the magnificent Knight's Hall, widely regarded as Slovenia's finest Baroque ceremonial hall.

Discover more about festival

Together, these two events showcase Brežice as a destination where history, architecture and contemporary culture come together to create memorable experiences.


This article is part of an exciting partnership with the Association of Historical Towns of Slovenia, of which Brežice is also a member. The partnership aims to bring you captivating stories from the historical towns nestled across Slovenia. As a regular feature of News from Slovenia, delivered to our valued subscribers, readers can expect to discover exciting stories from these timeless cities in the coming months. The contents and photos for this article were provided by the Association of Historical Towns of Slovenia and Brežice Tourism Board. 

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