In the wooded mountains of Fruška Gora are ancient monasteries that have stood resiliently against invaders and warring conquerors for hundreds of years and still stand tall as bastions of faith. On the Fruška Gora monasteries tour, you will visit three important Serbian monasteries, the Museum of Beekeeping and Wine House, and the Art Nouveau town of Sremski Karlovci.
Fruška Gora | Serbia
Located in northern Serbia is the autonomous province of Vojvodina where you can visit the Fruška Gora National Park, a mountainous region of great scenic beauty and religious importance. When we visited in spring, cherry blossoms were blooming amidst the lush green foliage of the park. During the Ottoman invasions, leaders and followers of the Serbian Orthodox Church escaped to these mountains to find shelter from religious persecution. From the 15th to early 18th century, they built monasteries in the hidden valleys where they continued practising their religion and nurturing their traditions. At one time, 35 monasteries existed in Fruška Gora; only 16 survive to this day. Once symbols of Serbian resistance against the Ottoman Empire, today these monasteries are revered as the guardians of sacral arts, relics, and religious architecture. A day trip to Fruška Gora to visit these historic monasteries is one of the best things to do on your trip to Novi Sad.
How to visit Fruška Gora? There is little to no public transport in these mountains which is a pain since these mountains attract both hikers and nature lovers who come to explore the scenic beauty and art and history lovers who come to visit the ancient monasteries hidden in these mountains. There are only two ways to visit Fruška Gora:
– By car, if you are driving your own car or a rental car
– On an organised tour such as the Viator tour we went on
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After some research and talking to the agents at the Tourism Information Centre in Novi Sad and also with a local travel agent, we decided to go on a tour with Viator because it covered all the places we wanted to see at a reasonable price. There were three parts to the tour:
- Visiting three monasteries in Fruška Gora
- Visiting the Bee Keeping Museum and Winery to taste some local wines and honey
- Visiting the historic town of Sremski Karlovci
Before we go into the details of our Fruška Gora monasteries tour, let me tell you that we highly recommend this Viator tour if you are visiting Novi Sad and do not have access to a car. If you love history and art, do not miss this! Here are the reasons why:
- For less than £90, we got a private tour for two, so we didn’t have to share the vehicle or wait for any other guests.
- The tour operators were available through the Viator app. Customer service was prompt and we were put in touch with our guide to finalise a pick-up location which made it hassle-free.
- Our tour guide, Jerko, was very knowledgeable about Fruška Gora and the monasteries. We had little to no knowledge of the Serbian Orthodox Church. He helped us understand important parts of his religion, including fasting rituals that were being practised when we visited.
- Jerko is a Novi Sad local who is well-informed about the history of the monasteries and the frescoes. He provided detailed information and also answered any questions we had.
- Jerko provided some great conversations on the way! We discussed Serbian history and politics, as well as some Indian politics. Getting to hear local perspectives is always a plus when travelling to a new country.
Our car drove through the verdant national park that covers most of the mountains of Fruška Gora. There was not much traffic and the temperature dipped considerably as we ascended the mountains of Fruška Gora from Novi Sad. The fumes and dust of the city were gone; instead, we were going over undulating roads amidst blossoming trees. The valleys in the distance were dotted with small hamlets and rolling pasture lands framed by trees. We had some rain at the start of the day but the clouds soon cleared up and dappled sunlight added to the loveliness of the valley. It was a beautiful drive.
Visiting Monasteries on the Fruška Gora Monasteries Tour
The highlight of the Fruška Gora monasteries tour was visiting three historic monasteries in Fruška Gora. On our 7 days Serbia tour, we wanted to visit the monasteries in Fruška Gora because we were interested in the frescoes that we had seen on the internet and we wanted to see medieval Serbian artwork. We were also interested in visiting at least one winery in Fruška Gora. The tour also included a stop at Sremski Karlovci which, like Subotica, has many gorgeous buildings.
Novo Hopovo Monastery
Our first stop on the Fruška Gora monasteries tour is the Novo Hopovo Monastery, a historic monastery founded in the late 15th century by Archbishop Maksim Branković. It was destroyed several times, including during the wars between Austria and the Ottoman Empire and World War II but it was rebuilt and renovated throughout the 18th and 20th centuries and continued to be a revered religious centre. The monastery’s church is considered one of the most representative examples of applied eclecticism in architecture. This architectural style incorporates elements from different historical periods and cultures. The church’s unique features include a twelve-sided dome and frescoes depicting biblical scenes. The monastery also houses the relics of Saint Theodore of Tiron.
Today, Novo Hopovo Monastery functions as a monastery and a tourist attraction. Visitors can attend daily liturgies and explore the monastery complex. The monastery is a perfect destination for those interested in Serbian history, religious art, or unique architecture. This monastery offers a unique opportunity to experience Serbian history and culture firsthand. You can explore the beautiful architecture, admire the frescoes, and learn about the monastery’s important role in Serbian Orthodoxy.
The frescoes at Novo Hopovo Monastery are incredible! We spent a long time gazing at them and trying to understand the various panels and iconography as explained by our guide. The colours have faded in parts but they continue to be some of the most important medieval Serbian art. The Massacre of Children in Bethlehem is one of the most important frescoes here.
Grgeteg Monastery
The Grgeteg Monastery houses a nunnery. It is said to have been founded in the mid-15th century by Despot Vuk Branković. Throughout its history, the monastery has faced challenges, including fires and earthquakes, which necessitated several rebuildings. The current church building dates to the early 20th century.
The most significant frescoes are found within the Church of St. Nicholas. These frescoes were created by Uroš Predić, a well-regarded Serbian painter. Unfortunately, the article doesn’t mention the specific subjects of these frescoes.
Some of the frescoes in this monastery are currently being painted in the Russian style. Work is ongoing but you can see gilded haloes, gold paint, and gorgeous artwork throughout. The most significant artwork in Grgeteg monastery is a religious (third) copy of Hilandar’s miraculous icon of the Virgin with three hands.
Krušedol Monastery
One of the most recognized buildings of Fruska Gora is the pastel pink gateway of Krušedol Monastery, a monastery founded in the early 16th century by Archbishop Maksim Branković. The monastery was dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary and quickly became a wealthy institution. Throughout its history, Krušedol served as a mausoleum for important Serbian figures, including members of the Branković dynasty.
Krušedol Monastery sits on lush lawns and is surrounded by old chestnut trees. The monastery’s architecture reflects the Serbian Morava architectural style, which is characterized by a combination of Byzantine and Romanesque elements. The most prominent architectural feature of Krušedol is its church, which has a cruciform shape with a central dome. The interior of the church is adorned with frescoes depicting biblical scenes and portraits of Serbian saints. These frescoes are considered to be some of the most significant examples of 16th-century Serbian art.
Krušedol Monastery has had a turbulent history. During the Ottoman occupation of Serbia, the monastery was raided and damaged several times. In the 18th century, the Ottomans destroyed many of the monastery’s relics. However, the monastery was rebuilt and renovated throughout the centuries. Today, Krušedol Monastery is a functioning monastery and a popular tourist destination. You can explore the monastery complex, admire the frescoes and icons, and learn about the monastery’s rich history.
Visiting the Museum of Beekeeping – Wine House Živanović
After the monasteries, we visited the Museum of Beekeeping and Wine House Živanović in Sremski Karlovci. It is one of the oldest wineries in Fruška Gora and has a 300-year-old cellar! They grow various varieties of grapes such as Probus, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Neoplanta and Petra on seven hectares. We tasted seven wines here including dry, semi-dry, and dessert wines. The two dessert wines were bermets which are only produced in Fruška Gora and some of the finest wines I have ever tried! It is said that bermet wines were so coveted that they were onboard the Titanic and at the Royal Palace of Vienna!
Visiting Sremski Karlovci
Our final stop on the Fruška Gora monasteries tour is the lovely city of Sremski Karlovci located just outside Novi Sad. We wandered through the town centre and our guide explained to us the history and uses of the handsome Neo-Renaissance buildings that surrounded us. One of the most eye-catching buildings is the grand Baroque Patriarchy Court. We stopped at the Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicholas and marvelled at its stunning iconostasis. Also in Sremski Karlovci is Karlovci Gymnasium, Serbia’s oldest secondary school.
Other Serbian Monasteries
If you are interested in ancient monasteries and frescoes, consider visiting the following monasteries on organised tours from Belgrade on your 3 days in Belgrade trip:
We highly recommend the Fruška Gora monasteries tour because it offers an opportunity to understand Serbian history and see some treasured medieval Serbian artwork. You also get to visit the Wine House Zivanovic which is one of the oldest wineries in Fruška Gora, and thus one of the most respected in the business. The Fruška Gora monasteries tour also includes a visit to Sremski Karlovci, one of the best places to visit in Serbia to see Art Nouveau architecture.
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