and Zakot (). Churches Saint Lawrence's Church in Brežice was first mentioned in written sources in the 12th century. It stood on the bank of the Sava (now an old side channel). It and the adjacent cemetery were heavily damaged by flooding in 1781, which also changed the course of the river, and the current church was built in the town center in 1782. Brežice has been the seat of a parish since 1641. Another church in the town, built in the second half of the 17th century, is dedicated to Saint Roch. Main Sights Brežice Castle Brežice Castle is the dominant feature of the town, standing above the left bank of the Sava. It is now a museum housing several collections and exhibitions. In the castle chapel there is an altar by Luka Mislej. Water Tower The Brežice Water Tower is the most prominent structure in the town, and is regarded as its symbol. Built in 1914, it was a key part of the town's water supply system until in was replaced by a new reservoir in 1972, after which it had an auxiliary role until 1983. Education Brežice Upper Secondary School The Brežice Upper Secondary School () opened in 1945, is built on the site of a Franciscan friary. The school was renovated in 1966, when an extension was also added. 690 students attend the school. Brežice Faculty of Tourism The Faculty of Tourism was founded in December 2009 and is part of the University of Maribor, Slovenia's second-largest university. It is located in the center of the town on the main street, Cesta prvih borcev. In the 2012–2013 academic year it enrolled the first class of students in two three-year undergraduate programs in tourism: a vocational program and a bachelor's program. The faculty will also offer a master's program in tourism starting in the 2014–2015 academic year. Notable people Notable people that were born or lived in Brežice include: Jurij Rovan (born 1975), pole vaulter Ivo Benkovič (1875–?), politician Albin Bregar (?–1894), religious writer Vojko Černelč (born 1934), editor and journalist Mirjan Damaška (born 1931), jurist Vanda Gerlovič (1925–2001), opera singer Anton Gvajc (1865–1935), painter Vera Horvat, (1906–?), painter Primož Kozmus (born 1979), Olympic and world hammer throw champion Anton Krošl (1905–1945), historian Jože Krošl (1894–1978), theologian and sociologist Franc Kruljc (1873–1954), theologian Dušan Kuščer (1920–), geologist Boris Lipužič (1930–), geographer Janez Mencinger (1838–1912), writer, translator, and