Petrovaradin Fortress marks 334 years since foundation

The Petrovaradin Fortress, a major historical and cultural landmark overlooking the Danube, marks 334 years since its foundation stone was laid on October 18, 1692. Built under the orders of Habsburg Emperor Leopold I, the fortification was established on the site of earlier medieval structures to protect the southern borders of the Habsburg Monarchy following the capture of the area from the Ottoman Empire in 1687.

Spanning over 112 hectares, the complex includes an Upper and Lower Town, massive ramparts, bastions, and an extensive network of underground military galleries totaling approximately 16 kilometers. Due to its strategic importance and defensive capabilities, it earned the nickname ‘Gibraltar on the Danube.’

The fortress played a critical role in Austro-Ottoman wars, most notably during the Battle of Petrovaradin in 1716, where the forces of Prince Eugene of Savoy defeated a significantly larger Ottoman army. The development of the fortress also contributed to the rise of Novi Sad, which grew from the settlement of Petrovaradinski Šanac.