The romantic jewels of the plains of Vojvodina, the magnificent witnesses of times long gone by and the devoted guardians of tradition. Their architecture will easily fascinate you, their charm will captivate you and their legends intrigue you. They are the castles of Vojvodina and they are ready to take your breath away!
1. A neo-goth pearl with a sad legend
At first glance, the Kapetanovo castle might seem like an unusual medieval edifice. However, looks can be deceiving. This castle was built by the prince (in Serbian župan) Botka Bela in 1904. It is an example of neo-goth architecture and a rare example of “plain” or “field” castles and of pseudo-medieval castles.
If you love unusual legends, you’ll love Kapetanovo even more. The “secret of the blonde strand of hair” is what makes this castle even more intriguing. It goes something like this: the owner of the castle had two loves in his life – his wife Ema and gambling. Due to the second he lost the chateau, and because of that Ema climbed the highest tower, poured gasoline on herself and set herself on fire. It was said that nothing was left of her, not even ashes. Nothing but a strand of blonde hair which appeared around the castle for a long long time. According to some, it still does…
2. The place where fairy tales come to life
Engulfed in the warm embrace of nature, the Fantast Castle, a chateau belonging to the Dunđerski family, is a real jewel of the plains of Vojvodina. With its domes which dominate the surroundings and the rustic style, this impressive castle built at the beginning of the 20th century is easily the favourite place for all those in love. But it’s not only their favourite place. The Fantast castle has a “little something” for everybody.
For all equestrians and horse lovers there is a horse farm with over 80 horses including the famous Paragraf, Best Vetprom, Jaln, etc. as well as 4 livery stables. For nature lovers there are paths going all through the enormous park that surrounds the castle. You can also enjoy organised fishing and hunting trips on the property. So, make the best of this spring and bring one of your fairytales to life!
3. A castle or a museum?
When it comes to the Bishop’s Court (Vladičanski dvor) in Vršac, it’s very hard to give an answer to this question. It’s actually both. It was build as a residency for the bishops of Banat so it represents a cultural monument of great importance. The 18th century chapel and a superb baroque iconostasis only add to its importance. And furthermore, the whole object is a sort of exhibition of rare and valuable pieces of art.
The first portrait of the bishops of Vršac from 1763, the bishop’s cabinet containing valuable paintings, icons painted by Uroš Predić, the castle library and extraordinary furniture are just some of the things which make the Bishop’s Court a museum as well. So, on account of all that you’ve read here, the next time you find yourself in Vršac, make sure you visit the no. 20 Dvorska Street. Trust us, you won’t regret it!
4. A masterpiece of the capital of Vojvodina
Just like Vršac, Novi Sad has its own Vladičanski dvor. The Bishop’s Palace in Novi Sad is an impressive edifice, one of the most valuable works of architecture in the “Serbian Athens” and the symbol of Zmaj Jovina Street. Thousands and thousands of people walk this street on a daily basis. Still, it has managed, somehow, to remain a mystery for most citizens. One of the things that passers-by often find intriguing are its unusual looks.
The facade of the Bishop’s Palace has not only Byzantin and Eastern architectural elements but also those of Serbian medieval monasteries. By combining all these diverse elements and styles a palace of an unusual and unique beauty was created. In front of the palace there is a monument dedicated to Jovan Jovanović Zmaj and near the palace is the famous Dunavska Street. Now you know where to go when you visit Novi Sad!
5. A castle in which Franz Liszt used to play
In August 1820, near Zrenjanin, a beautiful town in Vojvodina, a castle named “Kaštel” was built. It was built in a “British” style and the “crème de la crème” of society of the time attended its opening. One of the most prominent figures was the famous Hungarian composer and conductor Franz Liszt. This magical castle still has an air of its aristocratic past about it.
A combination of modern and medieval design, the distance from all the city noise and the soothing beauty of Vojvodina will relax you completely and transport you to times long gone by. And apart from that, here you’ll be served with the most delicious traditional Serbian specialties as well as activities such as hunting, fishing, sightseeing of the famous “Carska bara” (meaning Imperial Pond) and a stroll through Zrenjanin.
