Vršac | Top 10 in Cities of Serbia

Vršac Tower

Vršac Tower is a medieval fortress located on the western slopes of the Vršac Mountains. With its position, it dominates the city and can be seen from all its parts. The fortress was built in the first half of the 15th century, after the fall of Smederevo, and it is believed to have been built by Despot Đurađ Branković. It remained in military function until the beginning of the 18th century and during that time it was possessed by Serbs, Ottomans, and Austrians, with each of these nations leaving their mark on it. In addition to the ramparts that surround the fortress, the 20-meter-high donjon tower stands out. The donjon tower served as the last protection for the ruler during a possible siege of the fortress. Vršac Tower is easily accessible by car or on foot and offers an excellent viewpoint from which you can enjoy the view of Vršac and its surroundings.

Bishop's Palace

Bishop's Palace is one of the most beautiful architectural buildings in Vršac. The palace was built from 1750 to 1757 according to the project of a Prussian architect, during the time of Bishop Jovan Georgijević. The original Baroque facade changed its appearance at the beginning of the 20th century, and the current building has elements of Neo-Baroque and Neo-Renaissance architectural styles. Today, the palace houses a treasury of church items (robes and icons), a library with rare books and manuscripts, and a gallery of portraits of Vršac bishops. The oldest manuscript preserved in the treasury is the "Vatin Gospel" from the second half of the 16th century. The palace is surrounded by a beautifully arranged park enclosed by an authentic Baroque wrought-iron fence. The palace serves as the seat of the Banat bishop, and the building itself is a monument of exceptional cultural significance.

Old Pharmacy

Old Pharmacy, also known as "Pharmacy on the Stairs", is a Baroque building from the second half of the 18th century. In 1784, the first pharmacy in Vršac, called "Kod Spasitelja," was opened there. It was built for the purpose of a pharmacy and served that function until the 1960s. Since then, it has been part of the National Museum and houses a collection of items related to the history of healthcare, the memorial collection of Paja Jovanović, and the legacy of the painter Zoran Petrović.

Museum Konkordija

Konkordija is a building from 1847, originally built as a guesthouse. From 1852, it housed a Lower Real Gymnasium, and since 1882, it has been the home of the Vršac City Museum. During this period, the building took on its present appearance. The City Museum was established through the efforts of the archaeologist and historian Feliks Mileker, who served as its sole curator until the Second World War. Feliks Mileker had a significant scientific and cultural influence in Vršac. The museum now houses six collections: archaeological, historical, artistic, ethnological, natural history, and numismatic.

Magistrat

City Hall - Magistrat now represents a complex of three parts built in three different centuries. The oldest part of the building was constructed in the first half of the 18th century for the needs of the City Hall. The City Hall was built in the neo-Gothic style, and charters and memorials in Latin, German, and Serbian were embedded in its foundations. The building now serves as the seat of the Vršac Municipality and is protected by the state.

CIty Park

City Park in Vršac is one of the oldest public city parks in Serbia. This space has been a green area since the early 18th century. It was once part of the private estate of the Sheribel family and was called "Šeribel's garden", and since 1797, the park has belonged to the municipality of Vršac. In the mid-19th century, it was expanded and landscaped by court gardeners from Bulgaria and Germany, who transformed the park into a botanical garden by planting a large number of exotic trees and plants. The park covers an area of 6 hectares and features monuments, fountains, and well-maintained paths. In the part of the park known as the "Park of Heroes," there is a bust and burial site of the national hero Žarko Zrenjanin.

"Dva pištolja" (Two Pistols)

The building with the unusual name of "Dva pištolja" was built in the second half of the 18th century and used to house a famous inn and hotel. Although the original building has been significantly modified, it still represents a typical example of Baroque architecture with an authentic facade. According to legend, the name "Dva pištolja" was given after Karađorđe's stay in Vršac. According to tradition, Karađorđe, while traveling from Russia to Serbia, stayed overnight in this inn. As he did not have enough money to pay for his accommodation, he left his two pistols, and the inn was named after them.

Sterija'a House

Sterija's House is actually a building that Sterija Popović's brother built in 1868 on the site where the great writer was born. The house was bequeathed by will to young writers from Vršac for their needs, and today it houses the Sterija Museum. The house contains the original furniture used by the writer, as well as numerous original manuscripts of his dramas and comedies.

Religious Buildings

Vršac's churches are an integral part of the city's identity, culture, and long tradition. The Cathedral Church is an Orthodox temple dedicated to Saint Nicholas. It was built in 1785 on the site of an old church. Uspenska (Mala) Church was built in 1766 with the money donated by philanthropist and merchant Aleksa Nikolić. Cathedral of Saint Gerhard was erected in 1863 on the site of an old church and was built in the neo-Gothic style. Chapel of Saint Rocco was built in 1739 as a sign of gratitude for the end of the plague epidemic. This Baroque church is one of the oldest buildings in the city. The picturesque Romanian Church of Saint Saviour was built in the early 20th century in the Byzantine style.

Village of Gudurica

The village of Gudurica is located near Vršac, on the slopes of Vršac Hill, and is known for viticulture and the production of quality wine. Vršac vineyard is one of the oldest in this part of Europe, and the tradition of growing grapevines dates back to the Roman period. Gudurica has had an interesting history. It was first settled by Serbs after the Battle of Kosovo, then by Germans who constituted the majority of the population until World War II. Today, Gudurica is a true mosaic of cultures, as around 14 different nationalities live there (Serbs, Macedonians, Slovenians, Germans, etc.). The majority of the population in Gudurica and the neighboring village of Veliko Središte is dedicated to grapevine cultivation, making this village an essential stop for wine enthusiasts. Travelers can taste wine in old, reconstructed stone cellars that now house renowned wineries.