Novi Sad, Serbia

A view of the Petrovaradin, Novi Sad’s fortress that was never taken. Photo courtesy of Avalon Waterways.

History

Located along the magnificent Danube River, Novi Sad is Serbia’s second-largest city after Belgrade.  Founded in 1694, the city quickly earned a reputation as a major manufacturing and cultural center of the time, but was heavily devastated during the 1848 Revolution. A census taken in 1850 concluded the former city of almost 20,000 had seen its population dwindle to just over 7,000 inhabitants.  While rebuilt during the intervening years, the city suffered further during the Second World War and the more recent Kosovo War in 1999.

Rising from the ashes, the Novi Sad of today is a major financial and industrial centre, as well as a cultural anchor of the country.  Despite its rocky history, some historic areas of Novi Sad still remain to this day, a testament to the builders of the “old world.”

Your River Cruise Ship Docks…

River cruise ships calling on Novi Sad typically tie up along the Danube, not far from the center of town.

When in Novi Sad…

There’s plenty to do in this city of contrasts. Among the best ways to spend your day:

• Petrovaradin, also known as the fortress that was never taken, is one of the premier sights in Novi Sad. Housing the museum Muzej Grada Novog Sada, the fortress also boasts an observatory and planetarium that are open Saturdays from 7pm to midnight, depending on the weather (not much point looking at the sky when it’s cloudy.)
• Café’s: there’s plenty in Novi Sad, and sitting down for a relaxing cup of coffee can be an enjoyable way to soak in the atmosphere of this Serbian town.
• EXIT Festival is one of the largest cultural events in Eastern Europe.  Held each summer, the EXIT festival attracts major musicians in nearly every genre from around the world.  A must-see if your port call happens to coincide with this popular event.

River Cruisers Should Know!

• The currency in Serbia is the dinar (RSD). Euros can be exchanged for dinar’s at most Serbian financial institutions. Currency exchange bureaus in North America may not take dinar’s, so try to convert or spend any excess local currency before leaving the country.
• Check your itinerary: many museums and local attractions are closed on Mondays.
• While most major credit cards are widely accepted throughout Novi Sad, services that allow charges on American Express cards tend to be scarce in Serbia.