Information
Landmark: Petrovaradin FortressCity: Novi Sad
Country: Serbia
Continent: Europe
Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi Sad, Serbia, Europe
Overview
Rising above the Danube in Novi Sad, Serbia, Petrovaradin Fortress stands as one of the country’s most iconic landmarks.Perched on the right bank of the Danube, this 18th-century fortress commands attention with its rich history, striking architecture, and sweeping views of the city and rolling hills beyond.Nicknamed the “Gibraltar of the Danube,” Petrovaradin Fortress also comes alive each summer with the pounding bass and bright lights of the EXIT Festival, one of Europe’s biggest music gatherings.Perched above the Danube, Petrovaradin Fortress has guarded this bend in the river since prehistoric times, with traces of Neolithic life still found in its soil; the Romans built a fort called Cusum here, the Byzantines and Hungarians reinforced it, and in the 16th century the Ottomans turned it into a key stronghold until the Habsburgs reclaimed it in 1692 and, over the next century, constructed the vast star‑shaped fortress we see today-112 hectares of bastions, moats, and 16 kilometers of tunnels, crowned by the quirky Clock Tower whose oversized hour hand once helped boatmen tell the time-now a place for festivals like EXIT, art studios, museums, cafés with sunset views, and guided tours that wind through echoing stone corridors, offering visitors sweeping views of Novi Sad and the Vojvodina plains.Its soaring arches, deep-rooted history, and lively street performances make sure every visitor finds something to enjoy.You might wander through its storied past, dance under the summer lights at the EXIT Festival, or pause to take in the sweeping view of the Danube-either way, Petrovaradin Fortress is a must-see in Serbia.
