With so many museums in Novi Sad, the city represents a true time machine through history. The culture that this city has to offer is so immense that everyone can find something to explore. Novi Sad was inhabited by many different cultures. Romans, Huns, Avars, Slavs, Hungarians, Germans, Turks…all left their mark on Novi Sad, which made it the marvelous city it is today.
The Romans found the banks of Danube River an ideal place to build a fortress, which in turn gave the city its mystical Petrovaradin Fortress. Later it was rebuilt first by Hungarians and then Turks. So many discoveries from different time periods were made here. Relics that lead us from the Paleolithic era, over traces from all the way back in BC.
Relics such as counterfeit coins with the likeness of Alexander the Great, which are believed to have been forged by the Celts, are just some of the many things that make this city’s history so unique.
These are just some of the puzzle pieces that make up this historical city so if your stay is short, we’d certainly advise you to check out these most popular picks:
The Gallery of Matica Srpska
The Gallery of Matica Srpska is in possession of the biggest collection of Serbian art of from modern times.
Founded in 1847 in Budapest, it was moved to its final destination in Novi Sad in 1864. However it did not begin operating independently until 1958.
The most respected member of the gallery who also served as its secretary was Teodor Pavlovic. Teodor had the biggest role in the gallery’s founding.
Back in 1840 Sava Tekelija served as its lifelong president and was a major benefactor, donating very valuable family portraits and his family riches to the Gallery of Matica Srpska.
Following his lead, many wealthy residents began donating and borrowing to the Galley their valuable and culturally rich items that are beneficial in enriching the national spirit and serve as a cultural enhancement.
The Museum of Novi Sad
The Museum of Novi Sad was founded in 1954 and is dedicated to the collection and presentation of the city from its earliest stages and development through modern times.
The museums main building, more popularly known as Mamula’s barrack was initially built in 1775 in the form of a one-story barrack.
As part of the museum you can also see permanent exhibitions that represent the continuous inhabiting of the Petrovaradin Fortress.
The Museum of Vojvodina
The Museum of Vojvodina is the largest museum in the autonomous province of Vojvodina. It boasts a rich tradition of over 150 years.
Among its permanent exhibits is an exhibit, which represents the development of society in Vojvodina. Out of many exponents the most famous and valuable is a collection of three Gold-plated Roman parade helmets that date back to the IV century..
The Museum of contemporary art
The Museum of Contemporary Art is located in the heart of the culturally rich city of Novi Sad.
The Assembly of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina founded it February 1st 1966 under the name “Gallery of Contemporary Arts”.
The Museum’s main mission is to collect, preserve, study and exhibit works of modern and contemporary Art of Vojvodina, which makes it the only institution of its type in this area.
This museum is very open in its cooperation with museums of the same nature in the region and throughout Europe.
The Pavle Beljanski Memorial Collection
The Pavle Beljanski Memorial Collection is a special type of museum that deals with presentation, study and preservation of the vast collection of Yugoslavian collector and diplomat Pavle Beljanski.In 1957,
Pavle Beljanski (1892-1965) generously bequeathed his entire collection to the city of Novi Sad. A special establishment was built to house this memorial collection, which was opened to the public in 1961.
House of Jovan Jovanovic Zmaj
If you venture just 6km outside of Novi Sad, and head downtown of beautiful city of Sremska Kamenica you will discover a yellow house. Even though this charming house may look like any other, it is however very special. This house belonged to the most famous poet of Novi Sad – Jovan Jovanovic Zmaj.
This very house is where he spent his final days. Born in Novi Sad in 1833 to a well-respected family, even years after his passing his name is still celebrated and his work cherished and loved. He finished grade school in Novi Sad and then continued his higher education part in Novi Sad, part in Hungary. He studied law in Budapest, Prague, and Vienna but upon completion of his studies he returned to where his heart was – his Novi Sad.