Brestanica (pronounced [ˈbɾeːstanitsa]) is an urban settlement in the Municipality of Krško in eastern Slovenia.

The hydronym is derived from *Brěstovьnica (based on the common noun *brěstъ 'elm'), literally meaning 'elm creek'.

On 5 November 1918, armed miners and farmers marched on Brestanica, demanding that merchants sell them goods at low cost.

[8] From June 1948 to October 1956 the communist authorities used the castle as a penal institution for female political prisoners.

[9] The parish church in the town is a basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes and belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Celje.

It was first mentioned in written documents dating to 1213, but the current building was built in 1341 with a 17th-century belfry and two 18th-century side chapels.

It was built in the late 15th century and has a chapel dedicated to Saint Notburga with well preserved, high-quality wall paintings.