Summary
Although situated only minutes from Belgrade, Pančevo is often overlooked by visitors to the capital. However, upon exploring this city’s industrial facade, one can discover numerous appealing aspects. Pančevo is home to the Balkans’ oldest brewery, along with a museum dedicated to Weifert beer, a staple throughout Serbia.
The center of Pančevo features elegant parks and squares that showcase Neoclassical and Austro-Hungarian mansions, accompanied by beautiful churches from the 19th century. Historically, Pančevo served as an inland port that exported beer and silk down the Danube, but today it is characterized by vibrant nightspots and cafes that have replaced the waterfront industry.
Let us delve into the best attractions in Pančevo:
1. Vajfert Museum
Pančevo is home to the oldest brewery in the Balkans, which commenced as a small enterprise in 1722, operating from a two-room structure. In the latter decades of the 19th century, under the leadership of Đorđe Vajfert, it evolved into a large industrial entity.
Đorđe Vajfert later became the governor of the National Bank of Serbia and is featured on the 1,000 Dinar note. Weifert, adopting the German spelling, remains a prominent Serbian brand, brewed according to a Czech recipe and Bavarian traditions that Vajfert acquired during his studies in Munich. The Vajfert Museum, established in 2016, is located in the center of Pančevo and provides insight into the brewing process as well as the family’s history.
2. Church of the Assumption
This church, a testament to the First Serbian Uprising, dates back to the early 19th century and was established through public donations. Among the benefactors was Đorđe Petrović, the elected leader of the First Uprising and a pivotal figure in the establishment of modern Serbia.
The façade of the church is adorned with two tall Baroque towers and Corinthian capitals on the pilasters and columns beneath the cornice. The interior displays contributions from some of the most esteemed artists and craftsmen of 19th-century Serbia, including renowned portraitist Konstantin Danil, who crafted the icons in the iconostasis.
3. Vojlovica Monastery
This monastery has served as a crucial spiritual center for the Banat region since its establishment by Despot Stefan Lazarević in the 14th century, enduring a tumultuous history through the Ottoman period marked by fires and the imprisonment of monks. The monastery church features a High Baroque design, enhanced by a domed tower thanks to renovations in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Visitors can admire the frescoes that have been painted over various layers, with some dating back to the 1500s. The Baroque gilded iconostasis showcases approximately 30 representations of saints from both the Old and New Testaments.
4. National Garden
As Pančevo transitioned into an industrial hub in the late 1800s, this sprawling park was designed as a green buffer zone and continues to be a favored locale for recreation and leisure. The National Garden lies slightly away from the town center and embodies a German-inspired design, merging the formality of French gardens with the relaxed style of English parks.
Characterized by expansive pathways lined with mature trees and iron lanterns, the National Garden exudes a bourgeois elegance. The park’s iron pavilion, surrounded by vibrant flowerbeds, hosts musical performances during holidays and weekends, having once been part of a major industrial exhibition held in 1905.
5. Svetionik na Ušću Tamiša u Dunav
The confluence of the Tamiš and Danube Rivers is accentuated by a pair of lighthouses at the mouth of the Tamiš. These iconic structures were colloquially known as the “Water Gates of the City” (Vodena kapija grada), serving as a significant marker during an era when the Danube facilitated the transport of diverse goods, including beer, bricks, silk, lumber, and passengers.
The lighthouses provided navigational aid, marking the entrance to the Tamiš River at night.
6. Park Trg Kralja Petra I
Park Trg Kralja Petra I is a grand pedestrian square showcasing some of Pančevo’s most impressive architecture. Notably, this square houses the former magistrates court, which currently contains the National Museum.
The square is bordered by Austro-Hungarian mansions, including the elegant Štapska zgrada, Hotel “Sloboda,” and various cafes offering outdoor seating. Families can find a large adventure playground nestled in the center of the square, surrounded by well-kept lawns.
7. National Museum
The National Museum, located in the historic magistrates court from the 1830s, has been an esteemed institution since 1965. The museum stands out not only for its educational contribution but also for its striking portico and a pediment adorned with a relief depicting two angels holding a clock.
Inside, visitors can explore Pančevo’s archaeological, artistic, and ethnographic collections, including remarkable exhibits such as the complete armor of an Ottoman soldier, Biedermeier furniture, and opulent items from the 19th-century bourgeois homes.
8. Tamiški Kej (Tamiš Quay)
In the summer months, the Tamiš riverside offers a delightful ambiance for relaxation by the water. Lush greenery lines the river thanks to the trees along the right bank, while cafes accommodate visitors on the quay, with small fishing boats gently drifting upstream and downstream.
As evening descends, this area transforms, hosting lively social gatherings in bars and cafes where patrons enjoy the vibrant nightlife into the early morning hours.
9. Church of the Holy Transfiguration
This Serbian Orthodox church, distinguished by its imposing dome, is recognized as a “cultural property of great significance.” Esteemed architects and artists were involved in its design at the end of the 19th century. The church’s Neo-Byzantine architecture, conceived by the Post-Romantic architect Svetozar Ivačković, was completed in 1878, while the renowned Belgrade architects Branko Tanazević and Milorad Ruvidić later collaborated on the exquisite iconostasis.
The icons themselves were created in the Academic Realist style by the celebrated Uroš Predić, who was originally from Pančevo.
10. Buvljak
For those interested in experiencing a more authentic side of Pančevo, the city’s flea market offers a unique exploration experience, even for mere browsing. Located in a large marketplace on the northern outskirts, vendors provide an array of discounted items, including home goods, toys, furniture, tools, and fresh produce from Hungary.
Pánčevo is home to a significant Chinese community, and many from this minority operate businesses at the market, offering a chance to sample some delectable Chinese street food while there.
11. Zgrada Narodne Pivare
Currently, the historic Weifert brewery stands in a state of abandonment, having partially burned in 2005. Although rehabilitation plans for this substantial structure have been proposed, no restoration efforts had commenced as of 2017. Photographers and enthusiasts of 19th-century industrial architecture will find much to appreciate here, and the site holds potential for future development as a gallery or museum.
For those interested in Đorđe Vajfert’s legacy in Pančevo, the Church of St. Anne (Crkva Sv. Ane) constructed at his expense in 1923, served as the location for his funeral service in 1937. The church features an impressive spire with a slate roof and decorative rosette motifs adorning its entrance.
12. Belgrade
The capital city is located just 10 kilometers from Pančevo, allowing easy traversing back and forth. Belgrade offers ample attractions to engage visitors for several days; a comprehensive introduction can begin at the Belgrade Fortress, situated at the confluence of the Sava and Danube Rivers, renowned for its breathtaking views, historical monuments, and numerous layers of military architecture.
For shopping and a vibrant atmosphere, Knez Mihailova Street provides insight into the city’s youthful and dynamic character as it commences near the fortress. Additionally, the bohemian taverns in Skadarlija or the party boats (splavovi) moored along the Danube offer an entertaining glimpse into Belgrade’s lively nightlife.
13. Smederevo Fortress
For another enriching day trip, consider visiting the medieval fortified city of Smederevo, located not far downriver along the Danube. Established by Despot Đurađ Branković in the 15th century as a capital after Belgrade was ceded to Hungary, Smederevo served as the capital from the 1430s until 1459 when it fell to the Ottomans, marking the end of the Serbian state until the 19th century.
This grand Byzantine-style fortress features a unique triangular design, fortified with over 1.5 kilometers of walls and supported by 25 towers. Within its confines lies a beautiful park where visitors can walk along the fortifications, observing Europe’s second-longest river from the parapets.
14. Deliblato Sands
For those possessing a vehicle, an exciting opportunity lies eastward at Deliblato Sands, recognized as Europe’s largest sandy region, spanning over 300 square kilometers. This unique landscape, characterized by elliptical hills lightly covered with grass, serves as a remnant of an ancient desert that once occupied the area after the prehistoric Pannonian Sea.
Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the extraordinary scenery that contrasts with typical European landscapes, while botanists can explore approximately 900 plant species, many of which are rare or endemic to the Pannonian Basin.
15. Burek
Burek is a beloved pastry that can be found throughout Serbia, but Pančevo bakeries are particularly renowned for their exceptional renditions, prompting visitors to journey from Belgrade to savor them. This savory or sweet pastry features various fillings, with cheese, minced beef, and mushrooms being the most prevalent.
Often enjoyed at any time of day, burek is traditionally a breakfast food best accompanied by yogurt. Notable bakeries include Grgo on Prvomajska at the town’s edge and Pekara Stankoski on Miloša Obrenovića Street.
