Fortress

Introduction

The pearl of our heritage, the "Gibraltar on the Danube River," and the unconquerable fortress—these are all names for the rocky rise that hosts the greatest fun during the four days of the Exit Festival. Many visitors miss the opportunity to explore other areas of the Fortress during the day while the festival is ongoing. However, if you take the time to look around, you will immediately notice its magic and secrets. 

If you venture underground, you'll find 16 kilometers of catacombs and tunnels for adventurous visitors. Tours can be arranged, but appointments must be made with the guide service a few hours before. After your underground exploration, return to the surface to witness the most breathtaking sunset view in Novi Sad. From the upper plateau of the Fortress, the entire city unfolds below you, as if it were resting in the palm of your hand. 

Within the former military structures, you can find a few small taverns and inns that offer a pleasant atmosphere. In these baroque surroundings, enjoy some homemade brandy, called rakija, or savor the wine from the slopes of Fruška Gora. This experience will truly allow you to appreciate the pleasure and happiness of being in Novi Sad!

One of the most iconic sights at the fortress is the "drunken clock" located on the upper platform. Be sure to check it out! The unique feature of this clock is that its hands have switched places: the smaller hand indicates the minutes, while the larger hand shows the hours. If you were a sailor viewing this clock from a distance, it would make much more sense, wouldn’t it?

If you're tired of thinking about the passage of time, take a stroll. It feels like time has stood still here since the 18th century, and not much has changed since then. In the City Museum, you'll discover the various civilizations that have this fortress over the years, including Neolithic people, Celts, Romans, Huns, medieval empires, the Habsburgs, and the Turks.

Feeling artistic or contemplative? Visit one of the many art studios and galleries, or head to the Observatory or the Academy of Arts for inspiration.

History

On 18 October 1692, Austrian engineers laid the foundation stone for a new fortress, replacing the old medieval Hungarian castle from the thirteenth century, situated on a hill 40 meters above the Danube River. The construction of what would become the most modern border fortress in the Habsburg monarchy began with its first phase, which lasted until 1726. The second phase of construction spanned from 1753 to 1780. 

Covering more than 112 hectares, the fortress was equipped with an arsenal of 400 pieces of artillery of various calibers and featured an extensive system of underground mine galleries. It was the strongest fortress in the monarchy and was considered unconquerable. Due to its strategic location on the Middle Danube, it earned the nickname "Gibraltar of the Danube."

The Petrovaradin Fortress is historically significant as it was the site where the Austrian General Eugene of Savoy defeated an Ottoman Empire army that was nearly twice its size, numbering around 120,000 soldiers, led by Grand Vizier Damad Ali Pasha in 1716. During the First Serbian Uprising, two cannons were secretly smuggled to the rebels in Belgrade. On June 12, 1849, during the Revolution, the Hungarian army opened fire from the fortress on the counter-revolutionary army located in Novi Sad. This bombardment forced the withdrawal of the counter-revolutionary forces. Consequently, the local population fled, and the city was almost completely destroyed by a fire that engulfed it.

Throughout the 20th century, the fortress faced several critical moments where it was saved from certain destruction. After World War II, it was designated as a historical monument and came under civil administration. Today, nearly all the structures built during the 18th century have been preserved, making it one of the largest and best-preserved examples of military architecture from that era.

Today, the fortress serves as a historical, cultural, and artistic center, housing numerous studios for local artists. It is home to the Novi Sad City Museum, the Historical Archives of Novi Sad, the Academy of Arts, and an Astronomical Observatory. Additionally, the fortress features several equestrian and archery clubs, a hotel, as well as many restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

The EXIT Festival, the largest music event in Southeast Europe, has been held at Petrovaradin since 2001. It attracts some of the most famous musicians in the world and visitors from all continents, with attendance reaching 50,000 people each day. The festival not only creates a magical atmosphere for both visitors and participants, but the fortress also provides exceptional acoustics. This allows for multiple events to take place simultaneously without sound interference.