PETROVARADIN FORTRESS

Traveling through Serbia, a foreigner will notice various things, good and bad, nice and ugly, but what cannot remain not noticed is the large number of fortified cities across the country. Remains of medieval and elderly fortresses testify to the turbulent past of Serbia and the Balkans, each of them witnessing to itself. One of the most beautiful and best-preserved buildings of this type is the Petrovaradin Fortress.

A city on the wall - firm as faith

In Novi Sad, on the right bank of the Danube, a fortress on the Petrovaradin wall rises. Some interpret her name by invoking several languages: Petra in Latin means rock, var is in the Hungarian city, and din is the Turkish word for religion, and hence Petrovaradin - a city rock-firm as faith. Truly, its strength and impenetrability is remembered by many of the armies that knew this fort under its nickname - Gibraltar on the Danube. The present fortress was built according to the plans of the French military architect Sebastian Voban and built by the Austrians in the eighteenth century. It took them eighty-eight years to build, and the fortress consisted of a system of underground tunnels and canals that could be filled with water and the upper part in which barracks and warehouses were built. It is assumed that the length of the underground tunnels is about twenty kilometres, and some are still searching for a mysterious tunnel that goes beneath the Danube – still unable to find it. On the walls of this fortress, many left their bones and were held captive in its dungeons, some longer some shorter – take for example Karadjordje and Tito, each in his time.

Still inspires those who love the mystery

The fortress lost its military importance over time and today it represents the main tourist attraction of Novi Sad. What is particularly attractive is the famous clock tower, the gift of Maria Theresa. The clock is characteristic because the small cursor shows the minutes and the big cursor shows the hour – so ships could see what time it is. The clock is set manually every day, and it is also known for the fact that in winter it is a little late whereas in summer it hurries. Underground passages and tunnels continue to inspire those who love the mystery even team of the famous American show Ghost Hunters could not resist. A few years ago, they explored the lagoons and found that there was some paranormal activity underneath the fort, so whoever wants to meet ghosts now knows where to look for them.

When you come to Novi Sad, you know where you are going first

Older residents of Novi Sad remember their fortress on the terrace of the restaurant from which you can see the Danube and the music of the Eight Tamburitza from Petrovaradin, which will capture you with amiable tones and happy people. If you are younger, you will first mention Exit, one of the most famous world music festivals held every year on Petrovaradin and gathering tens of thousands of fans of electronic music. So, when you come to Novi Sad, you know where you are going first - Petrovaradin.

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