Less than half an hour’s drive from the city center, Petrovradin Fortress is the best day trip from Novi Sad.
The fortress, a fortification built according to Marshal Vauban’s system, covers 112 hectares and is adorned with numerous bastions and barracks.
Today it is a civic and cultural treasure with the hotel “Leopold I”, restaurants and an exceptional terrace – a lookout point, where you can enjoy the magical view of the Danube and Novi Sad.
There is also the Museum of the City of Novi Sad, which provides a guided tour of the underground military galleries, my favorite attraction on Fortress.
The Fortress also houses a branch of the University of Novi Sad’s Art Academy, “Atelje 61” (art tapestry workshop), as well as a number of art galleries, workshops, and coffee shops.
The fortress is dominated by the famous clock tower, which is one of Novi Sad’s visual symbols.
In the middle of the twentieth century, the Petrovradin Fortress was declared a historical monument and placed under the protection of the state.
How do you get to the Petrovaradin Fortress?
If you go to Novi Sad, the Petrovaradin fort at the Danube’s right bank is a should-see vacationer enchantment.
The fortress abound in both own family and personal points of interest, especially from spring to overdue autumn.
You can journey to the Petrovaradin Fortress from Novi Sad in plenty of methods, depending on your choices and the weather conditions on the day you pick out for this interesting adventure.
OPTION 1: WALK TO THE FORTRESS
If you’re in Novi Sad’s town center, you could stroll to the fort. Walking can take 20-30 minutes, relying for your pace and location in the middle.
When the climate is high-quality, I continually enjoy taking a walk to the fortress.
The distance is about 2-3 kilometers.
OPTION 2: BUS TO THE FORTRESS
Public transportation is a quick and convenient way to get to the fortress, which I pick when I need to arrive rapidly.
Bus strains 3, 6, 9, 9A, 64, and 69 travel to the fortress in 15-20 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Public transportation price is 100 dinars (0.91 USD).
The bus goes to the Fortress
OPTION 3: TAXI TO THE FORTRESS
If you want to be comfortable on your trip to the fortress, you can take a taxi, which typically takes 10-15 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
Taxi fees vary according to fare, distance, and ride time.
OPTION 4: BICYCLE TO THE FORTRESS
Cycling to the fortress is always comfortable and entertaining. The bike trip takes approximately 10-15 minutes, depending on your velocity and terrain.
Rent a bicycle at one of the metropolis’s bicycle stations. Bicycle rental costs may additionally range. An everyday bicycle rental fee of a 170 dinars (1.55 USD), whilst hourly leases begin at 30 dinars (0.27 USD).
The fortress is positioned approximately 2-3 kilometers from Novi Sad’s city middle.
Bicycle rentals are available at 16 locations in Novi Sad, including Strand, Spence, Railway Station, Serbian National Theater, University Campus, Detelinara I (Rumenačka Street, near “ABC Center”), Novo Naselje (Jovan Ducic Boulevard), Liman 3 (Dom zdravlja), Liman 3 (NIS), Petrovaradin (Preradoviceva Street, near the post office), Beogradski Kej, and Detelinara II (corner of Kornelija Stankovica and Milenko Grcica Streets).
If you have an Android phone, I recommend installing the “NS bike” app to see where you can find parking if there is one nearby, and if there is enough space to park your bike.
No matter which way you go, you can reach the Petrovaradin Fortress and enjoy the attractions and breathtaking view of the city and the Danube.
Best time to visit The Petrovaradin Fortress
Visiting Petrovaradin Fortress in any season offers a unique advantage.
Spring is nature’s season for renewal and rebirth. The temperature is generally pleasant and the area around the fortress is very floral. It’s a great time to walk around the fortress and see Novi Sad and the Danube river.
Summer is a great time to visit Petrovaradin Fortress, especially if you want to participate in one of the many festivals held there, like the vibrant Exodus Festival Days, there are as many outdoor activities as the fortress exploring, walking the walls and having a picnic in a nearby park.
Autumn is another good time as the temperature is still pleasant and the areas around the fortress turn into beautiful autumn colors. There are fewer people around at this point, making for a more peaceful experience and more time to explore.
My favorite visit to the castle is winter. Despite the winter, visiting Petrovradin Fortress in this season is always magical for me, especially if it snows. Then the fortress looks like a fairy tale, Novi Sad is covered in snow and the Danube you will find amazing. In addition, areas within the fortress, such as museums and galleries, can provide interesting experiences as well as an escape from the cold weather.
Without a doubt, each season offers a different experience when visiting Petrovradin Fortress, so consider when you want to visit based on your preferences and interests.
What can you see at Petrovaradin Fortress?
The Belgrade Gate
The Belgrade Gate is the most impressive building in the Petrovaradin Subdistrict and a historic landmark in Novi Sad.
It was constructed in 1753 as a monumental structure in the classicist style. It represents the city’s liberation after the Serbian army entered Novi Sad on November 9, 1918, during World War I.
The gate is ten meters high. The outer facade is 40 meters long, while the inner is 20 meters long. The entrance part of the gate’s facade has six columns with two windows, and above one is the restored Novi Sad coat of arms, which was destroyed by the occupiers in 1941.
The four built-in guards with two side rooms are always my favorite feature. The second section of the gate facade has eight columns, three oval and two rectangular passages.
On both sides of the gate, there are two pedestrian passages that I frequently use during a pleasant walk to the fortress, as well as two traffic lanes if I decide to drive there.
The Charming Streets of Petrovaradin
When cross to the right bank of the Danube, you are in Petrovaradin. This pearl of baroque architecture was built at the same time as the Petrovaradin fortress, from 1692 to 1780.
Aside from the attractions on the fortress, you should not miss Petrovaradin, which has particularly charming streets that smell of the past.
City Museum of Novi Sad
The museum’s current location is in a building known as Mamula’s barracks, which was once a military facility.
On the ground floor of the building, there is a permanent display of the Petrovaradin fortress from the past, which explains how the military fortification came to be and answers some of the many mysteries surrounding this location. Upstairs, you can get a glimpse into Novi Sad’s civic life from the middle of the 18th to the second half of the twentieth century.
The Museum of the City of Novi Sad is open to all visitors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The ticket price is 300 dinars (2.74 USD) .
The price of group visits is 200 dinars (1.83 USD).
The service of an expert guide in English costs 500 dinars (4.57 USD).
Planetarium of the Astronomical Society of Novi Sad
If you enjoy science and space, you must visit the Novi Sad Astronomical Observatory, which houses a planetarium and is the only one in Serbia, along with the one in Kalemegdan in Belgrade.
The Astronomical Society of Novi Sad manages the Observatory and Planetarium’s scientific and educational activities, which include audio-visual teaching of astronomy and related sciences to visitors, particularly pupils and students.
The planetarium on the fortress is the first stop for stargazing, and it is open every Thursday at 8 p.m. The entrance is free.
Attend lectures and workshops where enthusiastic lecturers use audiovisual aids to bring distant galaxies closer to you.
The Space Museum
The first technical museum in Novi Sad, as well as the first space museum in the region, opened on December 1, 2023, at the Petrovaradin fortress.
The Space Museum is another thing in the series, which Novi Sad has “climbed” on the ladder of world metropolises. Few people know the secrets of space, and at this location you can get to know unexplored space and also send messages to space.
The first impression you get when you walk in is a mix of rustic ambiance and sophisticated content. Special care was taken with scenography to ensure that visitors, in addition to the main content, found this unusual combination appealing. The museum has spaces in two locations: the “Planetarium” and the Junel Club.
• Museum programs include interactive content, audio-visual effects, workshops, and practical demonstrations, as well as age-appropriate programming.
• From historic achievements at the international level to historic accomplishments at the national level;
• The museum has two locations and covers astronomy, space engineering, and deep space research.
For group visits, the museum is open every day, with programs adapted to all ages and skill levels. And for all individual researchers, the museum will host you every Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Space Museum is located on the Petrovaradin Fortress, in the main parking lot adjacent to the Novi Sad City Museum.
Space of the “Planetarium”
The planetarium is housed within the Petrovaradin fortress’s old catacombs, providing a one-of-a-kind and historically significant setting for your visit. The planetarium is divided into two sections: the first contains static and interactive exhibits (including a replica of the Indian PSLV rocket and the Unity satellite, the “Pragyan” rover, direct transmission from the CanSat satellite, and more).
The second section is located inside the planetarium’s dome, where I often like to watch lectures and films about space and astronomy.
If you visit the fortress, do not miss the planetarium, which is a must-see for anyone interested in the wonders of space.
The area of the “Tunel” club
Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, visitors can take advantage of a special extension of the Space Museum as part of a package that includes a tour of the Planetarium.
Here you can simulate being inside a spaceship, send a message into space, and learn how cosmonauts use Vesta Intelligence to solve problems. The Tunnel Club offers a unique opportunity to discover the secrets of the universe and learn about cutting-edge space technologies.
The professional staff who were present during my tour were friendly and eager to answer all of my questions. My recommendation is to go to the Tunnel Club and discover the wonders of space exploration.
All individual and family visits (no reservations required) are available every Saturday from 12 TO 5 PM.
You can explore the museum and exhibits on your own or with a presentation from an expert curator.
Every hour, a 45-minute presentation is given. On weekends, presentations can be given in Serbian or English.
This is an educational and enjoyable experience for people of all ages.
The regular ticket costs 250 dinars (2.29 USD). Tickets for children up to 14 years old, accompanied by their parents.
The Underground Military Galleries ( The Catacombs of the Petrovaradin Fortress)
One of the biggest and most visited attractions of the Petrovaradin Fortress is certainly the Military Galleries – Catacombs.
I stepped into a real time capsule, which witnessed many events and everything that occurred 300 years ago. This is one of two entrances to the “Ravelin.” Ravelin is one of many fortification elements that comprise the Petrovaradin fortress.
Actually, I’m on Hornverk, one of the seven parts of the Petrovaradin fortress.
Underground military galleries: Founded in 1783, this one-of-a-kind museum spans 16 kilometers and includes four floors. This was once a communication and defense system of corridors and rooms, then converted into a gold and silver vault of the Habsburg Monarchy
The underground military galleries represent a communication system that enters the new four-story buildings.
Each level is in a different color.
The first level is marked in red, the second in green, the third in blue, and the fourth in black. The most mysterious place is at the bottom of the fourth, black level – the so-called Kaiser’s well, from which the Austrian emperor, son of Maria Theresa, Joseph the Second, drank water.
There is a legend that there is buried treasure near the Fortress, so the galleries were visited by treasure hunters.
The internal treasures of the Petrovaradin Fortress were visited by the international research team “Ghost Hunters International” at the beginning of November 2010, in the most recent episode, which aired on the American science fiction channel SyFy on February 2, 2011. This attracted a lot of attention from locals.
“Ghost Hunters International” is a paranormal phenomenon research team that uses cutting-edge technology to capture sound or video recordings of the “otherworld” in locations associated with supernatural stories.
The crew of the “Sy-Fy” channel brought hypersensitive equipment to the Petrovaradin fortress, detecting paranormal activity in the long tunnels beneath the fortress.
If you believe in legends and mystery, then this is the ideal place for you.
Visit the underground military galleries cost 300 dinars (2.74 USD) .
Group visits cost 200 dinars (1.83 USD) .
Professional guidance in English costs 500 dinars (4.57 USD).
I recommend that you book and announce your visit in advance via the official channel of the Novi Sad City Museum.
The Petrovaradin Clock
The Clock Tower, which the people of Novi Sad simply refer to as Clock, is unquestionably the trademark of the Petrovaradin fortress, as well as of the entire city.
It stands alone on the main plateau of the Bastion of Saint Louis and was given as a gift by Austrian Empress Maria Theresa.
The diameter of the clock circles on all four sides of the baroque tower is more than two meters, and the numbers are written in Roman numerals, as is customary for clocks in Christian churches.
This watch has a unique feature in that the large hand shows the hours and the small hand shows the minutes, because the boatmen on the Danube, guard shifts, and soldiers were more concerned with the hours visible from a distance.
By the way, the clock mechanism is still wound by hand every day, and the full hours are indicated by ringing.
The drunken clock on the Petrovaradin fortress is one of only two clocks in Europe that keeps time in this manner.
The Luznjak Oak (Quercus robur)
The Petrovaradin fortress’s luznjak oak, a representative specimen of its kind in Novi Sad, has been designated as a protected area of local importance, along with the fortress’s greenery.
The oak tree, located in front of the Academy of Arts building on the Petrovaradin fortress, is a natural monument valued for its authenticity, autochthonousness, landscape attractiveness, age, imposing dimensions, and preservation. The tree stands 26 meters tall, has a 20-meter diameter crown, and is estimated to be more than 100 years old.
The Academy of Arts
The Academy of Arts began operations in 1974 as one of the faculties of the University of Novi Sad. The Assembly of AP Vojvodina decided to establish a higher education institution in the fields of music, fine and dramatic arts on April 22, 1974, in May 1974. Distinguished experts and artists from several Yugoslav cultural centers at the time. Their efforts resulted in the formation of the new art school’s structure, the election of the first teachers, and the opening of the doors for the first class of students.
The Atelier 61
Atelier 61 is a unique institution in the Western Balkans. The Institution for Making Tapestry is unique in that it is Serbia’s only complex museum institution with its own production, including a workshop section, a gallery, and a musicological collection. It is one of only five similar cultural institutions in Europe, alongside the Aubusson Tapestry Center in France and the Dovecot Salon in Edinburgh, England, which serve as Atelier 61’s Western European counterparts.
Atelier 61 has woven approximately 900 tapestries in collaboration with over 300 artists over the course of its 60-year history. The atelier owns the National Tapestry Collection, which is regarded as one of the most extensive in the region.
The Atelier hosts festivals and programs that celebrate this type of art. The most renowned are the International Tapestry Triennial and the Bosko Petrovic International Tapestry Colony.
The well-known weaving school is housed within the institution. She approaches weaving as a vocation from the perspective of an ancient craft, as our grandmothers and mothers did in the past.
The studio is situated within the Petrovaradin fortress, at the address Petrovaradinska fortress 9. To reach the studio, take Mihajla Pupin Boulevard to the Varadinski bridge and then Kamenicka Street.
Because of the length of the road and the climbs, this route is best taken by car or taxi. If you arrive by car, there is a parking lot directly in front of the Atelier.
Every working day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can visit the “Atelje 61” institution, observe the tapestry creation process, and view a portion of the Serbian National Tapestry Collection.
The Hotel “Leopold I”
Hotel Leopold I is housed in a baroque-style building on the right bank of the Danube, at the heart of the Petrovaradin fortress.
The hotel provides luxurious accommodation units with views of the Danube and Novi Sad.
Hotel Leopold I has several bars and restaurants, including one with Serbian cuisine, which I recommend you try.
The second terrace provides a beautiful view of the Danube and Novi Sad.
EXIT Festival
What Petrovaradin Fortress is most famous for in the world is undoubtedly the highly acclaimed music festival EXIT, which has been held here since 2001 and draws a record number of visitors each year.
Exit Festival is one of the largest and most awarded festivals in Serbia, as well as the festival that receives the most attention from the international public and media. It is estimated that three million people from over sixty countries attended the EXIT festival, which featured some of today’s biggest music stars as well as numerous local and regional stars.
Although the festival’s number and arrangement of stages vary from year to year (around 40), some of them stand out in particular:
- The Main Stage has a capacity of 35,000 people. The largest stage at EXIT features the most attractive performers.
- Dance Arena is one of Europe’s largest dance arenas, with a capacity of 25,000 people. It is located in a dream between the fort’s walls and plays various types of electronic dance music.
- The Explosive Stage holds 5,000 people. It primarily performs metal and punk music.
- The Fusion Stage is exclusively for local and regional rock, pop, and other bands.
If you enjoy having fun, socializing, and going to concerts, I recommend attending one of Serbia’s largest festivals!
Update for 2024: This year’s EXIT Festival will take place on July 10-14, 2024.
“Terrace” of the Fortress
My favorite place for a break is the fortress’ terrace with the officers’ pavilion, which provides a stunning view of Novi Sad.
The Officers’ Pavilion, built in the 18th century, once housed the military administration, and officers’ balls and formal receptions for prominent figures were held here. Austrian emperors Joseph II, Franz I, and Francis Joseph were all guests at one time. After the First Serbian Uprising ended, Karadjordje and Serbian dukes remained there. Josip Broz Tito, president of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, hosted the non-aligned movement leaders.
Architect Dragisa Brasovan adapted the interior, after which a restaurant was opened on the ground floor, which became famous thanks to Janika Balaza’s tambura orchestra. That’s how one of the most beautiful romantic songs from Vojvodina, “Osam Tamburasa s’ Petrovaradin”, was created on the Terrace of the Fortress.
Today, you can enjoy the gastronomic specialties of the restaurants here: “Osam Tamburasa” (www.osamtamburasa.co.rs), “Sat” (www.restoransat.com), and “Terasa” (www.terasa.rs).
