St. Vid Viewing Platform

In the immediate vicinity of Brežice and Čatež ob Savi, as part of the Gorjanci hills, rises Šentviška gora. At its highest point stands the Church of St. Vid (St. Vitus), offering breathtaking views of the entire Krško-Brežice plain, as well as nearby and distant peaks. Recognized as one of the most visited tourist spots in the Municipality of Brežice by both locals and tourists, the location was envisioned as a tourist attraction that would enrich the region’s offerings. The design of the new platform represents an extension of the natural plateau next to the church —almost as if a new contour line has been added to reshape the terrain. This is why the platform is named “Plastnica” (meaning “Contour Line”). Symbolism and Inspiration / The conceptual foundation of the platform is drawn from nature and proportional relationships, leading to the use of the “Golden Ratio” — an ideal proportion where each segment maintains the same relationship to the one before and after it. This concept also aligns with the “Spira Mirabilis”, a mathematical spiral in which every straight line extending from the center intersects the curve at the same angle. Found in numerous natural forms, from sunflower spirals and seashells to spiderwebs and distant galaxies, this logarithmic “Miraculous Spiral” — first studied by mathematician Jacob Bernoulli — embodies harmony in growth and form. A similar principle is reflected in the Fibonacci Spiral, which follows an infinite numerical sequence where each number is the sum of the previous two: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21… This sequence can be used to divide frames according to proportional rectangles, and when connecting opposite corners of these rectangles, the Fibonacci Spiral emerges. This mathematical principle served as the basis for the organic shape of the platform, allowing it to seamlessly blend into the natural landscape. The platform is constructed from a steel framework, following the spiral’s outer form within dimensions of approximately 6.2 × 10 meters — aligned with the Golden Ratio. The spiral symbolically culminates at the location of the flagpole. The external structure is designed to accommodate an expanded metal mesh enclosure, which also serves as a safety railing. Over time, vegetation will gradually envelop the mesh, allowing the platform to merge with the surrounding nature. Along the railing’s handrail, directional markers indicate nearby peaks and landmarks. For the walking surface, robust locally sourced oak planks of varying widths were used, ensuring durability and a natural aesthetic.