2Novi Sad Theatre
Novi Sad also has a theatre that puts on plays in Hungarian.
It is called Újvidéki Színház.
Believe it or not, the plays are excellent – with Serbian surtitles.
3Matica srpska
Matica srpska is the oldest literary, cultural and scientific institution of the Serbian people.
It was founded on 16 February 1826 in Pest (Hungary).
It moved to Novi Sad in 1864.
4Marija Trandafil
The building that houses Matica srpska was built with money from the endowment of Marija Trandafil, the greatest Serbian benefactress.
It was first built as an orphanage, because the endowment was meant for children without parents (Serbian Orthodox orphans).
Matica srpska moved into the building in 1928. The orphanage was built in Sajlovo.
5Letopis Matice srpske
Letopis Matice srpske, the oldest Serbian literary magazine, was launched in 1824, two years before Matica srpska was founded.
6Petrovaradin Fortress
Another symbol of the city is Petrovaradin Fortress.
It was built between 1692 and 1780.
7The bridges and Štrand
Novi Sad has three bridges over the Danube – all three were destroyed in the 1999 bombing. And rebuilt.
It also has Štrand, a city beach that was officially opened in 1911.
That is where Novi Sad’s own sports were born. Besides the usual swimming and beach volleyball.
8EXIT festival
For 25 years the fortress was home to the Exit festival.
It brought world music stars to Novi Sad, and with them audiences from all over the world.
9The Name of Mary Church
One of the most recognisable symbols of the city is the Name of Mary Church on Freedom Square.
Locals call it the Cathedral, but formally it is not the seat of a diocese – the Roman Catholic cathedral is in Subotica.
10Danube Park
In the city centre is Danube Park, created on a marsh at the end of the 19th century. Today it is protected as a natural monument.
It has a small lake with Erzsébet Island. The island’s name is linked to the Austrian Empress Elisabeth, known as Sisi, who was assassinated in 1898. A weeping willow was planted on the island in her honour.
11The gymnasiums of Novi Sad
Novi Sad has four gymnasiums: Isidora’s (Sekulić), Sveta’s (Marković), Laza’s (Kostić) and – Jova’s.
Classes have been held at Jova’s since 1816. Its building, too, is one of the symbols of the city.
Jovan Jovanović Zmaj, Laza Kostić, Svetozar Miletić, Šafárik… all studied or taught there.
12Đorđe Balašević
Đorđe Balašević lived in Novi Sad, too.
A great poet.
