NOVI SAD ON THE PALM OF YOUR HAND

Transcription

1 NOVI SAD ON THE PALM OF YOUR HAND Welcome to Novi Sad, welcome to Serbian Athens, hospitable and beautiful city, where cheerful citizens welcome their guests with open hearts, honestly and in a friendly way. Novi Sad is the capital of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, its economic, cultural, scientific, educational, health and administrative center with nearly inhabitants. The city is situated on the left bank of the Danube River in South Backa, in northern part of Serbia. Owing to its exceptional geographic and transportation position, it is a significant intersection of land and water traffic. It is located on transcontinental Euro-Asian transversal starting from western Europe, and leading across central Europe, to the Balkan Peninsula and Bosporus straits and all the way to Near East. Novi Sad is positioned in the length of 50 km on the Danube River, which is actually essential in transeuropean mega hydro system of rivers and canals (the Rhine-Main-Danube Rivers) for transportation, commerce, energy, and tourism.

2 HISTORY At the end of 17 th century, on a reef of Fruska gora mountain, on the right bank of the Danube, the construction of Petrovaradin Fortress started. Soon around the trench, a smallish settlement of tradesmen, fishermen, craftsmen and boatmen was formed. Meanwhile, by 1780, the largest military fortification of Austrian Empire The Petrovaradin Fortress The Gibraltar on the Danube was completed. Parallel to the construction, the broadening of the settlement opposite the Fortress was evident. It was named with different names: Neoplanta, Ujvidégh, Neysatz and finally on February 1, 1748 it got the name of Novi Sad, when its inhabitants paid forints to Vienna in order to obtain the status of a free royal city. Novi Sad is also called Serbian Athens, what is specially emphasized by its citizens. It is the city of education, culture, museums, galleries, libraries and theaters. In 1790 Emanuel Jankovic brought the first printing press and opened the bookshop according to European standard. Serbian Orthodox Great Grammar School (the second among the Serbs, after Karlovacka Grammar School, 1791) was founded in One of the teachers, Georgije Magarasevic, launched in 1824 a magazine The Serbian Journal, published nowadays under the name The Matica srpska Journal as the oldest alive literature journal in the world. In Novi Sad in 1861, Serbian National Theater, the oldest professional theater in Yugoslavia, was founded. Matica srpska, educational, cultural, and scientific institution was founded in 1826 in Budapest, and moved to Novi Sad in THE CITY CENTER The urban city center of the old Novi Sad, which comprises the Square of Liberty, Zmaj Jovina and Dunavska Street, is versatile and attractive area with unique components, found only in this part of the city. Cultural and historical development of Novi Sad contributed to formation of architectural tourist values, which form complex units of monumental and artistic character. The area of the Square of Liberty originated in 18 th century and the surrounding objects, with different stylistic features, date back to the first half of 19 th and the beginning of 20 th century. At the square there is a monumental statue of Svetozar Miletic ( ), who had an important role in fighting for the freedom of Serbian people at the turning point from feudalism to capitalism. He was also the Mayor of Novi Sad, a poet and a freedom fighter. The square is the gathering place for the citizens and the site where numerous manifestations take place. At the Square of Liberty there are many monumental and significant buildings, but a special value deserves The City Hall, old building of Municipal Assembly, built in neorenaissance style by the project of Molnár György in 1895, resembling the City Hall in Graz. The high tower, formerly used by fire brigade for observations, dominates the principal façade. The interior is simple, intended for business, except the ornamented main auditorium on the first floor. The auditorium is well known to the citizens of Novi Sad because that is where numerous celebrations, concerts of classical music and book promotions take place. The City Hall is declared the monument of culture.

3 The largest number of the values is concentrated in the central, old city part (Zmaj Jovina St. and Dunavska St.), today forming a unique ambience from which traffic was banned. Recognizable features of this part of the city are the buildings built in 18 th and 19 th century. The oldest building in the city is White Lion s House, built at the corner of Zmaj Jovina St. and Dunavska St. in Worth mentioning are also the following buildings: Museum of Vojvodina (built in 1900, formerly the Court in Dunavska St.), Grand Hotel Mayer (today Vojvodjanska Bank at the Square of Liberty), Tanurdzic s Palace (residential and business building, built in ), Grammar School Jovan Jovanovic Zmaj (built in 1910, by the project of Vladimir Nikolic), Bishop s Palace of Backa Eparchy (with elements of Serbian, Byzantine and Mavar style from 1901), The Old Central Credit Bank (built in 1895 in late academicism style of 19 th century) and Matica srpska (built in 1912 by the project of Momcilo Tapavica). Plebanija in Catholic churchyard was built in 1808 and today represents a rare monument of old architecture. When entering the city from Varadinski Bridge, two buildings are perceived: first, Workers House (built in 1913 by the project of Dragisa Brasovan, with the statue of a worker at the front, carved by Toma Roksandic), and then Province Government and Assembly (formerly Civil Governor s House, having the characteristics of monumental building, built between 1936 and 1939, by the project of Dragisa Brasovan too. Its exterior is covered in marble from the Croatian island of Brac, whereas the central hall and staircase are covered in Italian stone from Carara. Its interior consists of wide corridors from which large business premises are entered). The Home of Culture, formerly the house of Serbian National Theater until it got its own building, was built according to the project of Djordje Tabakovic in Today it is the house of Youth Theater and Toy Theater. However, an important component of monumental values of the city are the buildings and complexes built in modern time: Serbian National Theater building (by the project of Victor Jackijevic, a polish architect), Sports and Business Center Vojvodina (an attractive complex made of metal, glass, concrete and marble covering the area of m2 for sports and recreation activities: tennis, swimming pools, ice-rink, Large Hall for spectators, Small Hall for spectators and additional 20 hectares where the stadium of FC Vojvodina was built), Central Post Office, Railway Station Building (built in 1964 by the project of Imre Farkas), NIS headquarters (completed in 1998 by the project of Aleksandar Kekovic) and etc. CHURCHES There are several churches in the city, famous for their monumental value, architecture, valuable interior and collections of artistic and historical importance. Fast economic, cultural and educational progress with national, religious and language variety in the background influenced building of different churches in Novi Sad, for it was the religious center, too. According to tradition, the first Orthodox Church of Saint George dates back to Since 1708 in Novi Sad ( Trench at that time) has been the seat of Backa Bishop. The first stone and brick made Saborna Church was built in the 18 th century (1742) during the reign of queen Maria Teresa, but today s appearance it got by the project of Mihail Harminac, an architect from Budapest in , while Mitrofan Sevic was the Bishop). Iconostasis was made by a famous Serbian painter Paja Jovanovic in Vienna, and wall compositions were made by Stevan Aleksic, whereas the stained glass windows were done by Imre Zeler from Budapest.

4 All the present Orthodox churches in the city were built by 1748: Saborna with Bishop s Palace, Almaska, Uspenska and Nikolajevska. The last one, the temple of relics of Saint Father Nikolaj, was the only that preserved its basic look and it is considered the oldest Orthodox church in the city. It was built in 1730 in baroque style. After it had been damaged during bombing in 1849 it was renewed by donations of Jovan and Marija Trandafil who were later buried there. Iconostasis was made by Pavle Simic in 1862 with the influence of Nazarene painting. It is an interesting fact that the sons of Mileva and Albert Einstein, Albert and Edward were baptized in this church in Uspenska Church is the temple of Holy Mother of God Assumption built in baroque style in 1736 and renewed several times. It got its present looks in about Special features of this temple are the iconostasis and its carvings, then the carvings of the Mother of God throne, Archpriest s throne and church s furniture carved by the Gavrilovic family. Almaska Church, with classical baroque portal carved in wood by Aksentije Markovic, was built in The bell tower is on the west, and façades are ornamented as well as the interior. The icons were done by Arsenije Teodorovic in 1825, who was buried in the churchyard. Of special value is the icon of the Holy Mother of God, the work of Uros Predic, a painter in Roman Catholic Church The Name of Mary dominates the city center and the Square of Liberty. It was built in 19 th century, 1894 in neo-gothic style, by the project of Molnár György, whose bust is situated in the church next to the door in a niche. The church is a three-nave building, with gothic arches, supported by thin and tall pillars. Altar is ornamented by carved wood from Tyrol and the windows with stained glass from Budapest, whereas the roof tiles were made of Zsolnay ceramics. Synagogue, built in 1906 by the project of Lipót Baumhorn, dominates Jevrejska St. Nowadays religious ceremonies are not served in it, but it is used as a concert hall, owing to its acoustics. In Novi Sad there are numerous monuments and busts devoted to great events and eminent people from Yugoslav and city s history. From sculptures and works of art, the most significant are: monument of Svetozar Miletic in the city center; sculptures of Jovan Jovanovic Zmaj in Zmaj Jovina St., Djura Jaksic and Branko Radicevic in Dunavski park; busts of Serbian writers; Monument of the Victims of the Fascist Raid in Dunavski quay; numerous sculptures under the name Doe deer, works of Jovan Soldatovic, placed at the Petrovaradin Fortress. CULTURAL LIFE Every year Novi Sad is the host of Sterija s Theater Festival, Zmaj s Children Games, Festival of Poetry Brankovo kolo, Spring at Cenej farms, Novi Sad Musical Events, Film Festival Focus, Jazz Festival, Spring in Synagogue, Multimedia Festivals INFANT (International Festival of Alternative and New Theater) and EXIT Noise Summer Festival. The Serbian National Theater was formed at the Serbian Reading Room Meeting in Novi Sad July 16, 1861, with Svetozar Miletic as a chairman. The construction of the new building started in 1975, and the opening ceremony was held on March 28, That day was established as the Day of Serbian National Theater. The theater has three stages: the Large, Small (named Pera Dobrinovic in 1995) and Chamber. The Serbian National Theater performs ballet, drama and opera with the Vojvodina s Philharmonic.

5 In Novi Sad there are also the Professional Hungarian Theater (housed in the former Ben Akiba Theater building, in the vicinity of the Serbian National Theater and city center) as well as the Youth Theater (housed in the Home of Culture opposite Dunavski Park; performs toy plays at the Children s stage in cooperation with young and talented actors and visiting theaters). The Matica Srpska is literal, scientific and cultural institution. It is the oldest cultural and scientific Serbian institution. It was founded on February 4/16, 1826 in Pest, Hungary, by patriotic Serbian intellectuals and rich tradesmen, and in April 1864 moved to Novi Sad, where it continued its work to present days. Independent institutions rose out of the Matica Srpska: The Museum of Vojvodina and Vojvodina s Culture and Monuments Protection Office, whereas the Library (1 million books), the Gallery (5 thousand works of art) and the Publishing House remained within the Matica Srpska. In all parts of the city and the whole municipality of Novi Sad there are about 23 branches of the City Library, which was formed out of borrowing department of the Matica Srpska. The City Library is housed in an old building, 1 Dunavska Street and has books in both children and adult departments. There are large libraries in the Museum of Vojvodina, the Serbian Academy of Science and Arts, the Museum of Novi Sad and the Serbian National Theater. The Museum of Vojvodina is a young cultural and scientific institution, which obtained its present looks by merging The Vojvodina s Museum and The Historical Museum of Vojvodina in There are about exhibits, many of which are of extraordinary cultural, scientific and material values. In the museum there is a permanent exhibition with exhibits on km 2, which represents historical development and specific features of material and spiritual culture of the people of Vojvodina and all the ethnic groups. The Museum of Vojvodina is the central museum in Vojvodina. The Museum of Novi Sad belongs to the category of complex city museums, which field of interest is development of the city from its origins to present day. It is formed out of archaeological collections from prehistoric, antic and medieval period; historic collections of pharmacy, school, education, and publishing; cultural and historic collections of arts; collection of modern arts and ethno-collections. The museum fund has more than exhibits. The museum building is well known as Topovnjaca (The Cannon House), Arsenal or Mamula s Barracks. It is important to mention the Novi Sad Collection of Foreign Arts, the Theater Museum of Vojvodina, the Natural Science Collection, the Matica Srpska Gallery, the Monumental Collection of Pavle Beljanski, the Gallery Of Painting Gift Collection of Rajko Mamuzic, the Museum of Modern Painting and the Gallery of Tapestry Bosko Petrovic. GREEN AREAS Dunavski Park is the ornament of Novi Sad. The park is natural wealth of great importance and a monument of nature. It is located in the very center of the city. The works on the park began in At that time it was a bit larger, with more trees and green areas, and the most beautiful of all the lake, several times larger than the present. There were two biggish wooden cabins pastry shops, on Sunday afternoons gipsy musicians used to play in the park, and on Thursday afternoons in the middle of the park military orchestra of Petrovaradin garrison used to have concerts. What makes the park recognizable today is the little island Erzsébet with a weeping willow and swans.

6 Limanski Park is the youngest park in Novi Sad. It is the place where recreational and sports activities take place. It is in the part of Novi Sad - Liman III and covers the area of 12,9 ha. It was made parallel to building of Liman, when poplar and willow trees were planted first, and later valuable tree species were added: linden tree, birch, oak, cedar, spruce and decorative shrubs. Within the park there is a spring of drinking water. Futoski Park originated from former woods, which outstretched to Futog. At the end of 19 th century at its end near the center a spring of medicinal water was found, it was decided about the building of a bath and soon after the magnificent building of Jodna banja (health resort). Thus, besides the treatment, the patients were provided with natural pleasure garden, called Futoski Park. It was officially opened in 1910 and become favourite promenade and picnic area of Novi Sad people. Today it is an oasis with rare tree species. Ribarsko Ostrvo is a popular name for the island Kamenicka ada, situated on the left bank of the Danube, opposite Sremska Kamenica. Favourite picnic area from spring to autumn is connected with the city over Liman IV. With its centennial trees, neatly arranged riverbank, sandy beach, which connects it with the Strand at low water level, is a real oasis during summer months. There are small weekend houses, several restaurants, tourist bungalows Dunavske kolibe and a smallish auto-camp. UNIVERSITY University of Novi Sad was founded June 28 th, It comprises different faculties located in 4 towns in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina: Novi Sad, Subotica, Zrenjanin, and Sombor. University of Novi Sad comprises 13 faculties: Faculty of Philosophy, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Technology, Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Academy of Arts, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Physical Education, and Teacher s faculty. The University is situated in the vicinity of the city center, on the left bank of the Danube River in University Park, where there are also Student s center and Apartment-hotel for young teaching staff. THE PETROVARADIN FORTRESS The Petrovaradin Fortress, depicted as the Gibraltar on the Danube, was built between 1692 and 1780, by the plan of marquis Sebastian Vobanne ( ), a French military leader and architect, who made plans for numerous fortresses in Europe. Emperor Leopold I begun its construction and emperor Joseph II, the son of the queen Maria Teresa finished it. The Petrovaradin Fortress consists of the Upper and Lower city. The Upper city is the fortress, surrounded with walls with steep serpentine compartments. The Lower city or fortification is a small settlement with a network of narrow streets or two-floor buildings. Today the Fortress is an artistic center with numerous ateliers of eminent artists. Sculptures and museum exhibits in the open area, within the park, contribute to its tourist attraction. The upper plateau is used as a stage for theater plays and concerts held in summer. The underground halls, the real preciousness of the Fortress, attract numerous visitors.

7 SREMSKI KARLOVCI On the slightly hilly area, leading from the Danube towards Fruska gora, on the motorway Novi Sad- Belgrade, historical city Sremski Karloci is situated. Sremski Karlovci is a jewel of Serbian spirituality, which was religious and cultural center of Serbs in 18 th and 19 th century. It has been the seat of the Orthodox Metropolitan Diocese since At the end of 18 th century the first Serbian Grammar School was founded in Sremski Karlovci. Karlovacka Grammar School with its long tradition remained one of the oldest cultural institutions among Serbs. The education of one of the biggest Serbian poets Branko Radicevic ( ) is connected with Sremski Karlovci, where he lived from the age of 11 to the age of 17. Architectural monuments of Sremski Karlovci are rare examples of style and artistic form. Some of them are: Saborna Church, built in baroque style with extraordinary works of painters Kracun, Cesljar, Orfelin and Paja Jovanovic; Magistrate Building, built in neo-classical style; Roman Catholic Church built at the beginning of 18 th century; the Patriarch s Residence ( ); Church and National Funds Building; Theological Seminar; and Patriarch Josip Rajacic s Castle Ilion. On the periphery, where in 1699 the Peace Agreement was signed between Austria and Turkey, a small chapel was built in 1710 with donations of different countries. One hundred years later, the present small church was built at the same place. The object of stylistic interest is the public fountain at Branko Radicevic Square, built in 1799, which is a jewel in the composition of this type and in Sremski Karlovci in general. Sremski Karlovci s wine cellars are witnesses of vineyard tradition and quality wine of Fruska gora. In the vicinity of Sremski Karlovci there is a famous excursion and picnicking site Strazilovo with the monument devoted to Branko Radicevic. NATIONAL PARK FRUSKA GORA Fruska gora is a low mountain, 78 km long and 12,5km wide, covering the area of 500km 2. It is surrounded by the Danube and the Sava rivers. The summits of Fruska gora are 500m high, and the highest are Crveni cot (539m), Orlovac (512m) and Iriski venac (490m). Fruska gora became a national park covering the area of ha in There is abundance of trees, especially linden tree, which is considered the tree of the Slavs, because its highest concentration in Europe is in this area. There are also oak, beech, acacia and hornbeam trees. Fruska gora is the habitat for over 1,500 plant species growing wild, 670 of them being medicinal herbs. Nature lovers go hiking in Fruska gora or its surroundings. Traditional marathon gathers many participants every spring. Fruska gora is well known by its monasteries and often named Serbian Athos. 15 out of former 17 monasteries have been preserved. They were built from 15 th to 18 th century as foundations of Serbian sovereigns. Those are: Beocin, Velika Remets, Vrdnik ili Ravanica, Divsa-Dipsa, Grgeteg, Jazak, Krusedol, Mala Remeta, Novo Hopovo, Petkovica, Privina glava, Rakovac, Staro Hopovo, Fenek i Sisatovac, whereas Besenovo and Kuvezdin were not restored.

8 ARRIVING IN NOVI SAD Air transportation. Air transportation is probably the easiest and most common way for arriving to Novi Sad. Belgrade airport "Nikola Tesla" is less than 75km from Novi Sad and it is 1 hour drive by car away. If you don't have previously arranged transportation to Novi Sad, we recommend JAT buses (Yugoslav Airlines buses) which will take you to the center of Belgrade, 25km from the airport. From Belgrade bus station there are departures for Novi Sad every half an hour. JAT (Yugoslav Airlines). Carries out regular and charter flights for passengers, cargo and mail, on domestic and international lines. JAT Belgrade, tel Belgrade Airport, tel Road transport. Novi Sad is a junction of numerous land, rail and river roads. European most frequently used motorway E-75, runs by the city. Going from Gdansk and Warsaw, Poland, through Bratislava, Budapest, Subotica, Novi Sad and Belgrade, it connects Eastern and Central Europe with Athens and Istanbul. Many tourists run this route to get the Adriatic and Aegean Sea. Many of them come to Novi Sad where they spend unforgettable moments... Only 40 km from Novi Sad there is another important motorway (E-70) which connects Cote d' Azur with Orient. Using this motorway one can arrive in Vienna in 4 hours. Obligatory Insurance for vehicles for foreigners is about 45 for a week to 75 for a month. Tourists can get insurance in domestic insurance offices. Motorway toll is paid on the following motorway sections: Subotica - Feketic - Novi Sad - Belgrade; Belgrade - Nis - Doljevac. For passenger vehicles the toll is as follows: Subotica - Novi Sad 3.00 Novi Sad - Belgrade 5.00 Fuel. The following types of fuel are available at gas stations in Serbia: premium (95 octane), normal (86 octane), unleaded (95 octane) and diesel fuel. Road help and information. AMSS (Automobile and Motorists Association of Serbia) has workshops and tow-away services allong main roads. AMSS information centers are in: Belgrade Novi Sad For help on the road, dial 987. Speed limits. Town: km/h; country roads km/h and highway km/h. Railway transport. Numerous international railway lines link Serbia with all parts of Europe. Novi Sad railway station, tel , Bus transport. Regular and seasonal international bus lines connect Serbia with neighboring countries as well as Austria (Vienna, Linz, Graz), Germany (Berlin, Munich, Hamburg) and Switzerland (Geneve, Zurich, Bern). Information on bus transportation can be found at Belgrade bus station, tel Novi Sad bus station, tel

9 USEFUL INFORMATION Visas. Before planning a trip to Serbia, you should check if an entrance visa is needed. The visas for the entry and stay in Serbia up to 90 days have been abolished for all types of travel documents for citizens of EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Vatican, Andorra, San Marino, Israel, Croatia, Russia, the United States of America, Canada, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand. Taxi services. Taxi services are available 24 hours a day, and the prices are lower considering the surrounding countries. Transportation in Novi Sad. Novi Sad is known as the city of the best public transportation in Serbia. Frequent bus lines from one to another part of the town from 4 am till 11:45 pm. A single ticket costs about 0.5 and can be bought in the vehicle. The map of Novi Sad with drawn bus lines can be bought at almost bus stop. Exchange currency. Exchange of foreign currency can be done in specialized exchange offices or banks. The exchange rates are almost the same in every bank. Currency - dinar (RSD) 1 dinar = 100 paras; coins: 50 paras, 1, 2 & 5 RSD; banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 1000 and 5000 RSD. Banks and post offices. Office hours - workdays: 8:00am - 7:00pm; Saturdays: 8:00am - 3:00pm. Stores. Supermarkets and other food selling stores are open from 6:00am to 8:00pm. Other stores are open from 8:00am to 8:00pm; most of them are closed on Sundays. But there are lots of 24-hour stores. Area codes. For Serbia 00381, for Belgrade (0)11, for Novi Sad (0)21, for Subotica (0)24, for Zrenjanin (0)23, for Kikinda (0)0230, for Sombor (0)25. For calls from Serbia dial 99 + the code of the desired country + the code for the city. Climate. Novi Sad has mild continental climate. The first part of spring is dry with a lot of wind, whereas second part is rainy. The beginning of summer is with abundance of precipitation but the rest of summer is dry and warm. There is a small quantity of precipitation in autumn, whilst winter is cold with little snowfall. Average air temperature in the city throughout year is 11,3 C. The warmest month is July with mean value of 21,6 C, and the coldest is January with mean value of 0,8 C. It is necessary to mention that Novi Sad may have hot summers and severe winters. Thus in August 2000, the temperature reached 43,6 C, and in January 1963, minimal temperature was 30,6 C.