Novi Sad, is the city in the Vojvodina, northern Serbian province, is placed on the banks of river Danube, next to the national park Fruška Gora. Twenty percent of the entire Vojvodinian population lives in Novi Sad. What differentiate Novi Sad from other cities in Serbia is a wide diversity of nationalities, cultures and religions. Five Orthodox churches, Jewish synagogue and Catholic cathedral in the very heart of Novi Sad symbolize the multiculturalism of this city.
As the second biggest city in Serbia, Novi Sad is becoming the main cultural center in country and bears the name Serbian Athens. Some of the main cultural events that take place in Novi Sad every year are “Sterijino pozorje” (theatre festival), traditional “Zmajeve decije igre” (children's festival) and, of course, the famous “EXIT” – one of the best music festivals in Europe. We can mention with a great pride that Novi Sad was also a host of the European Basketball Championship in 2005. These and many other events largely contribute the image of Novi Sad, Vojvodina and entire country.
Novi Sad is a university city, a city of museums, galleries, libraries, theatres…It is a center of well developed journalistic and publishing industries, radio and television. Novi Sad is the seat of Matica Srpska and a city of fairs with many traditional and worldwide recognized international manifestations. It is a railway and road crossing on the main international railroad from Athens, i.e. Istanbul to Budapest.
According to historians, anthropologists and archeologists, area of Novi Sad was inhabited 4500 years BC. Many civilizations rode through this area; Celts, Romans, Visantins, Ostroghotes, Avars; some of them stayed for a while and others moved forward. Millenniums and centuries after the first inhabitants came to this area, Novi Sad, its epicenter, the well known Petrovaradin were born.
Thanks to Maria Teresa, Austro-Hungarian queen, Novi Sad, as well as other near by areas of Austro-Hungarian Empire, were developing fast both in cultural and historical way. On February 1, 1748, Novi Sad was proclaimed as “Free Royal City”. Today, 260 years later, Novi Sad can freely be called royal. With its 300,000 citizens, Petrovaradin Fortress, river Danube, Fruška gora and its monasteries, Novi Sad became the most desirable destination for young Europeans. Warmth, hospitality, diversity of languages, cultures, and nationalities, transforms Novi Sad to city cosmopolite! The misfortune that hit entire Serbia during NATO bombardment in 1999 and caused the destruction of all three bridges in Novi Sad, the symbols of the city, forced Novi Sad to rebuilt its bridges, make them nicer and better.
We are all here together now, at Varadin Bridge and Bridge of Freedom, to
create new memories, which will last forever!
The most charming street in Novi Sad is Dunavska Street.Very short, in the heart of the center, but very cute. It is full of colorful façades, many advertisements and shops. It looks like the time has stopped there. One look at this short street captures your breath and heart .Straight from it you get to Dunavski Park.
The new building of the Serbian National Theatre, contrived by the architect Professor Dr. Wiktor Jackiewitcz is situed in the center of the town.The building was opened on March 28, 1981 (a day after the World Theatre Day). In the 120th season of its existence, the SNT get its own building for the first time. That date was than established for the Day of the Serbian National Theatre, when the results of previous season are evaluated, and the best individual and collective achievements are awarded. The building itself spreads out on more than 20,000 square meters, housing the Opera (with the Choir and Orchestra), Drama and Ballet ensembles, performing on four stages. The ballet, orchestra and choir rehearsing rooms are in its premises too. The workshops are placed in the building too, except the “Kombinat” that produces the heavy equipments and decorations.
One of the symbols of Novi Sad, neo gothic cathedral built during the period of 1893 - 1895. is situated in the main center square of Novi Sad, Square of Freedom.Cathedral has beautiful tall and thin shafts. It is recognizable by its tall clock tower, and vitrages made in Budapest. It has been built on the place of previous church from the mid 18 century and is devoted to St. Mary.
The building of the new synagogue, the fifth to be erected on the same location since the 18th century, became a major project for the entire Jewish community of Novi Sad under the leadership of Dr. Karl Kohn, who served as its president for nine years (1895-1906).The building work of the Novi Sad synagogue started in 1905 and was finished in 1909. The new synagogue was part of a larger complex of buildings that included on both sides of the synagogue two edifices decorated in a similar pattern. One building sheltered the offices of the Jewish Community and the residences specially built for the synagogue officials, while the second building served the Jewish school. Located in Jevrejska (Jewish) Street, close to the city center, the synagogue has since its inauguration been recognized as a landmark of Novi Sad.
Matica srpska (lit. "Serbian matrix", meaning "parent body of the Serbs") was founded by patriotic Serbian intellectuals and rich traders in 1826 in Pest.It was moved from Pest (by Jovan Forovic) into the building of the heritage of the famous philanthropic from Novi Sad, Mrs. Marija Trandafil in 1864. The building was built in 1912, in pseudo classicist style according to the project by Momcilo Tapavica (an architect, a top grade sportsman, the first Serb to participate in the Olympic games). It includes the journal “Letopis”, a rich library, an art gallery and a publishing house. In front of the building are sculptures of all the presidents of Matica srpska: Jovan Hadzic, Sava Tekelija, Teodor Pavlovic, Platon Atanackovic, Tihomir Ostojic and Vasa Stajic. The Matica srpska Society was one of the initiators of the Novi Sad Agreement on the Serbo-Croatian language (1954), led the action for making the unique orthography of the language (1960). They compiled The Vocabulary of Serbian Standard Literary Language in six volumes (1967-1976). Matica srpska publishes the “Letopis Matice srpske” magazine, which is one of the oldest in the world, being continuously published since 1824. The Law of the Matica srpska Society (1986) regulates matters of endowment and legacy, given by the national benefactors, and how the money is spent for various cultural and educational purposes.
And now what you must to know if you visit Novi Sad.
Currency in Novi Sad is Serbian Dinar.(RSD)
Where to go to eat:
- Restaurant " Ognjiste " (Hearth)- Street Dimitrija Tucovica 3;
- Chinese Restaurant " 2 stapica " (2 Sticks) - Cara Lazara Boulevard 7a;
- Beerhouse & Restaurant " Cesla " - Street Suncani kej 13;
- Restaurant " Fish & Zelenis " (Fish & green goods) - Street Skerliceva 2;
- Restaurant " Dunav " ( Danube) - Street Dunavska 5.
What to do:
Novi Sad is a quiet town. If you prefer a relaxing dinner with traditional music of Vojvodina visit some of this restaurants and wine cellars:
- Restaurant " Vinoteka" ( Wineshop) - Street Jovana Djordjevica 4;
- Restaurant " Marina " - Trg Mladenaca 4;
- Restaurant " Aqua Doria " - Trg Vladike Nikolaja.
If you want to enjoy in commercial music visit some of famous clubs:
- Club " Amnesia " - Street Sutjeska 2 (near SPENS);
- Club " Jelisavetin Bastion " - Tvrdjava bb ( Fortress );
- Club " Verige " - Street Kisacka 60;
- Club " Giardino " - Mihaila Pupina Boulevard 1;
- Night Club " Contrast " - Street Sentandrejski put 10.
Where to go to buy:
In the center of Novi Sad is a market known as " Riblja pijaca " ( Fish market ), but there you can also buy a fresh vegetables and fruits, cheese, eggs...
There are many shopping malls:
- TC " Merkator " - Boulevard Oslobodjenja 102;
- Shop " Maxi " - Mihaila Pupina Boulevard 1;
- Shop " Idea " - Mihaila Pupina Boulevard 2.
Enjoy!
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