An Afternoon in Novi Sad
Novi Sad is the second largest city in Serbia after Belgrade, its capital. It’s a lovely quaint town with beautiful shops, mostly closed because we were there Sunday, and lovely churches.
While visiting Belgrade this June I had a chance to meet Ana Marija. We, along with my friend Jen Miller from NeedSomeoneToBlog.com, spent an afternoon in Novi Sad, Serbia.
A Drive to the Country
Not only did we enjoy our short road trip with music, girl talk, and, of course, travel related information, but we were moved at the beauty of the sunflower fields. I wish that I was able to capture that but we were moving way too quickly.
Novi Sad is the second largest city in Serbia after Belgrade, its capital. It’s a lovely quaint town with beautiful shops, mostly closed because we were there Sunday, and lovely churches.
"Novi Sad was founded in 1694, when Serb merchants formed a colony across the Danube from the Petrovaradin fortress, a Habsburg strategic military post. During the 18th and 19th centuries, it became an important trading and manufacturing centre, as well as a centre of Serbian culture, earning it the nickname Serbian Athens. The city was heavily devastated in the 1848 Revolution, but was subsequently rebuilt and restored. Today, along with the capital city of Belgrade, Novi Sad is an industrial and financial center important to the Serbian economy. It was selected to be one of the "European Capital of Culture" cities for the year 2021." Wikipedia
But First, Lunch
Before our walking adventure, we stopped for lunch at the award winning Italian Restaurant in town, Savoca Pizzeria & Ristorai. I had the quatto fromaggio and proseco (of course) and it was wonderful. Everyone enjoyed their meals, listening to conversations around us, and our friendship.
Enjoying the Old Town
We went to the old city and walked through. Most of the shops were closed because it was Sunday. On this particular day, however, Serbia was playing in the World Cup. It seemed most of the town was quiet - anticipating a goal. When they scored, cheers erupted from the pubs and restaurants showing the match. The sound of the cheers reverbirated through the narrow streets. It was quite an experience.
We walked through The Name of Mary Church in the Trg Kulture square across from the Monument of Svetozar Miletic.
We also passed by the monument for Jovan Jovanović Zmaj, one of Ana Marija’s favorite children’s poets.
Here is one of his poems about the Danube.
Ala je lep Ovaj svet, Onde potok, Ovde cvet; Tamo wiva, Ovde sad, Eno sunce, Evo hlad! Tamo Dunav, Zlata pun, Onde trava, Ovde `bun, Slavuj pesmom Quqa lug. Ja ga slu{am I moj drug.
We eneded the day with a cafe and rest at one of the cafes at Petrovardin Fortress in the gentle rain.
Novi Sad is now one of my favorite cities, next to Ottawa and Paris, and I cannot wait to return soon.
Nedostaješ mi, Srbijo.