Pros and cons when living in Serbia: PRO #4: Interesting architecture

Honestly, I am really having a hard time finding any more positive things about living here. So these last two pro post are going to be based more on views of other people, rather than mine. Don't get me wrong, I think architecture is a rather positive thing in every country (it gives a sense of identity), it's just not something I would personally point out if asked by someone. It's not like architecture will make your living here any better, if you get what I mean.

But it can make you appreciate and be proud of your surroundings. Sight-seeing can also fulfill your free time and sometimes you just can't wait to show some of the architecture in your city to your friends. Architecture itself is an endless source of knowlegde, important part of history as well as a reminder of times long gone. Thanks to influences from different cultures, architecture in Serbia, just like nature, varies from north to south, from city to city. Every major city is steeped in history and there is plenty of that to see and hear about.

Petrovaradin fortress in Novi Sad

What I find the most interesting and appealing, are these ancient fortifications that crown many of our cities. 'Across Serbia there are some 200 sites preserving the remains of old fortresses and fortified towns dating back to ancient times. However, following many centuries of war and destruction, only those fortresses which retained their military function into the Middle Ages, under Turkish rule, have been preserved. Most of these fortifications were extended and adapted as military technology developed, and in doing so lost their original mediaeval appearance. Some of them were the antecedents of contemporary Serbian towns, which even today boast portions of old walls and towers.' (taken from the official site of National Tourism Organization of Serbia).

Most famous fortifications are those of Belgrade and Nish, but there is also one in Smederevo and Novi Sad. Then there is the mediaeval town of Ras near the city of Novi Pazar and various fortresses alongside the river Danube.

Smederevo fortress

We even have few castles (manor houses) in the northern region Vojvodina, that in style belong to the transitional period between the Baroque and Classicism. They were built on the large estates of landowners or in the larger urban centers and were representing the noble status, wealth and the importance of their owners and residents. The one that stands out the most is definitely Fantas, also knows as the Dundjerski castle, near the town of Bechej.

Fantast (Dundjerski) castle

When talking about Vojvodina's architecture, also notable are monasteries situated on the mountain Frushka Gora. There is 16 of them. Throughout Serbia, you will encounter great number of sacral buildings and monuments, that are of great significance to people here (Serbs are generally highly religious). Temple of Saint Sava in Belgrade is the largest Serbian Orthodox church (as well as the largest Orthodox church in the Balkans) and the largest in size Orthodox church in the world. You can also emark on a journey and visit many of these monasteries and churces, since there are many organized tours all over Serbia.

Temple of Saint Sava in Belgrade

I am mostly talking about Vojvodina, because I live in Belgrade and honestly, I really like the architecture of this region. Some of the traditional houses in Vojvodina, were built under the influence of Slovaks as well as Germans (in time of Austro-Hungarian rule). The main feature in slovakian traditional architecture is the dominance of blue colour.

Bachki Petrovac in Vojvodina

In every other part of Serbia, there is some different style of architecture. In southern parts, the most notable is the turkish influence, but some of it can be seen in Belgrade as well. To me, most of the cities in the north reflect this timeless romantic, bohemian charm, while others give sense of coldness and strictness, like Vranje or Nish. But you can't generalize the architecture here that much and divide it just in these two, because most of the cities are a mixture of different influences. Below are pictures of various serbian cities and architectural styles. Let pictures speak for themselves: