The Petrovaradin Fortress, the second largest in Europe, is situated in the city of Novi Sad, on the banks of the Danube.
Due to its great importance to the Habsburg Monarchy, it was dubbed the Gibraltar of the Danube. The fortress has an important place in history thanks to the many battles, for supremacy in the region, that were fought here.
The inspiration for this well-preserved fortress, built between 1692 and 1780, came from the work of French engineer Vauban. The works were, however, carried out by the Austrian military engineers Marsigli, Kaiserfeld and Wamberg.
A walk through the upper town brings you to the Arsenal, the Officers' Pavilion and some more simplistic, elongated barracks. The tourist’s favourite, the infamous ‘Reversed Clock’, rises above the Upper town overlooking the Danube. Created with the minute and hour hand of the clock reversed so that fishermen could see the time from a long distance.
And don’t forget to explore the fortress’ underground chambers and some 16 kilometres of corridors, warehouses and galleries – areas reserved for the keepers of the fortress. A city within a city.
Once a powerful military stronghold, the Petrovaradin Fortress today hosts a number of art and cultural events and exhibitions - the Observatory and the Historical Archives, as well as the Museum of the City of Novi Sad, located in the former Arsenal. Some of the basements have also been transformed into art studios.
The Petrovaradin Fortress is also the setting for the world-renowned music festival Exit, which brings together tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year.