Beyond Belgrade – A Day in Novi Sad

While Belgrade had more than enough to occupy us for the full three and a half days we were there, we wanted to make sure we got out of the city for a day with the intent of experiencing a different side of Serbia. All of our research indicated that Novi Sad might be just that place. As the capital of the Autonomous region of Vojvodina, Novi Sad is considered a historical and cultural treasure – and is definitely different than the capital.

NoviSad2_miniNoviSad8_mini NoviSad3_miniAfter a one and a half hour bus ride through the Pannonian Plain, a region of farmland reminiscent of the Canadian Prairies, we arrived in Novi Sad. A quick walk down the main street took us to the large old town full of wonderfully colourful buildings and large churches. While Belgrade is a very appealing city in its own right, Novi Sad has a completely different feel. Wide tree-lined streets and low, colourful buildings dominate the old town, and make Novi Sad feel much smaller than it is.

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Across the Danube from the old town is Petrovaradin Fortress and the lower town it once protected. Set up on a hill on the bank of the Danube (very reminiscent of Belgrade fortress), Petrovaradin dominates the Novi Sad cityscape and is a great place to spend an afternoon. As one of the largest fortresses in all of Europe, Petrovaradin takes a good hour or two to explore. Many of the buildings remain intact and the views are absolutely spectacular.

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A wander through the crumbling lower town below the fortress is like a window to the past. The buildings, while not as well-preserved as the old town (actually, some are pretty much falling apart), the buildings are still stunningly beautiful under the peeling paint and crumbling tiles.

NoviSad5_miniNoviSad6_miniFar from the hustle and bustle pace of Belgrade, Novi sad is a more than worthy daytrip and provides a great way to get a different view of Serbian culture and history

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