The clock on Petrovaradin Fortress stands above the Danube, opposite the city of Novi Sad. Its hands are reversed: the large one shows the hours and the small one shows the minutes, a design that helped river fishermen read the time from a distance. The fortress was built under the Habsburg Monarchy from 1692 to 1780 to guard the river against the Ottomans. Visitors come for the clock, the views over the water and the city, and the tunnels and bastions around it.
Building the fortress from 1692
Work on the southern part of the fortress began on 18 October 1692, when Charles Eugène de Croÿ laid the cornerstone. The Habsburg side built it after taking Petrovaradin from the Ottomans, who had held the site for about 150 years. The layout followed the methods of the French military engineer Sébastien de Vauban, on a scale the region had not seen before.
Most of that work still stands. Its angled ramparts remain, along with a network of catacombs and anti-siege tunnels underground. The complex is generally dated to between 1692 and 1780.
The clock tower
The tower is linked with the Basilica of St. Louis. The clock is recorded as dating to 1750, and it is still wound by hand every day.
Locals call it the Drunken Clock, since cold winters slow it down and summer heat speeds it up. The tower sits on a plateau with a wide view of the Danube and the city.
Inside the walls
Part of the City Museum of Novi Sad is housed in the fortress, in a renovated section of about 1,200 square meters. A planetarium also operates on the grounds.
The Hotel Leopold I occupies a Baroque former army barracks inside the walls. It has a restaurant, lounges and a terrace overlooking the Danube. Cafes and restaurants are spread across the site, and the EXIT music festival is held here every summer.
The fortress has around 16 kilometres of underground countermine passages. An old railway tunnel runs beneath it and can be walked through, though it is dark inside.
Planning a walk
The grounds have few signs and no marked paths, so plan your own route. The large upper courtyard is free to enter and offers the best views of the river and the city below.
Allow about half an hour to walk around the clock area. To explore the fortress more fully, allow 2 to 3 hours.
Häufige Fragen
Is there an entry fee?
The large upper courtyard is free to enter. Getting tickets in advance is recommended for some visits.
How long do you need?
About half an hour is enough to walk around the clock area. Allow 2 to 3 hours to explore the fortress more fully.
Is the clock still working?
The clock is still wound by hand every day. It is recorded as dating to 1750.
Is the fortress wheelchair accessible?
The entrance, restrooms, seating and parking lot are listed as wheelchair accessible.
