Sombor

On the western edge of Bačka, where the Danube and its quiet backwaters meet the endless plains, lies Sombor – a city where time moves slower, and the streets seem to breathe to the rhythm of a tamburitza. This is Ravangrad – a place where art flows through everyday life, and where culture and nature engage in a constant dialogue.

Sombor has always been a city of refined calm and quiet elegance – here, the fijaker (horse-drawn carriage) is not a nostalgic relic, but a way of life, and the shade of the old bođoši, the magnificent plane trees that define its streets, offers the most beautiful canopy in all of Vojvodina.

A stroll through Sombor’s streets reveals the spirit of a once free royal city that has nurtured education, art, and tolerance for centuries. This is a city with both soul and character – proud of its history, yet open to every modern traveler who knows how to recognize authenticity.

At the heart of the city rises the magnificent Building of the Bačka-Bodrog County, erected in the 19th century in the spirit of eclecticism. In its Grand Hall stands the monumental painting “Battle of Senta” by Ferenc Eisenhut, a masterpiece that speaks of turbulent times and the historical pride of this region.
Nearby is the Sombor City Museum, a treasure trove of archaeological, ethnological, and artistic heritage of western Bačka, with special exhibits such as the Batina Battle Memorial Museum in Bezdan and the Danube Swabian Museum housed in the Grašalković Palace.
A true city of artists, Sombor is home to the Milan Konjović Gallery, which preserves the work of one of the greatest Serbian expressionists – a master of color and emotion whose canvases radiate his love for the Bačka landscape.

Just a few steps away, within the historic Preparandija building – the first teachers’ school in Serbia – another artistic world comes to life. Here you’ll find the Sava Stojkov Gallery and the Pavle Blesić Gallery, dedicated to two painters who forever placed Sombor and Bačka on the map of Serbian fine art.
Sava Stojkov, celebrated for his idyllic depictions of plains, farmsteads, and the people of the Pannonian world, left behind a body of work full of warmth and realism. Pavle Blesić, on the other hand, was a quiet modernist, a master of light and atmosphere, whose paintings bridge traditional and modern expression. The galleries housed in Preparandija not only preserve their legacies but also tell the story of a city that continues to inspire creativity.

The city’s contemporary spirit lives on through the Laza Kostić Cultural Center Gallery, one of Serbia’s leading venues for contemporary art, where exhibitions, literary evenings, and multimedia performances regularly take place.
In Sombor, art isn’t confined to museums or galleries – it lives in everyday life. During the Sombor Theatre Marathon, the streets themselves become a stage, where performances, laughter, and applause fill three unforgettable days and nights.

Sombor is best discovered at a slow pace – beneath the green arches of its plane trees, between baroque facades and secessionist details. Along the way stand the city’s architectural jewels: the City Hall, National Theatre, Krušper Palace, Pašina Tower, House of Laza Kostić, the Church of the Holy Trinity, the Orthodox Church of St. George, and the Parish House with its sundial – an elegant backdrop to the city’s daily promenade. In the same spirit stands the grand County Building, adorned by Eisenhut’s monumental “Battle of Senta.”

When the sun begins to set, Sombor slips into a livelier rhythm. In a narrow passage near the main street hides Cafe bar Des Arts – an artsy café with a gallery-like vibe, a long-standing tradition, and regular live music evenings; practically a local institution.

For a summer “reset,” there’s no better place than Cafe de Sol, perched along the Great Bačka Canal – a sunny terrace by day, a lively rhythm by night, and on hot days, a dip in the canal itself.
Those seeking an old-fashioned tavern atmosphere with live music should head to the Dalmatinski Podrum, a beloved spot since 1961, known for hearty food, local charm, and vibrant evenings.
For a romantic dinner under the trees, Ethno Restaurant Fijaker, located in Sombor’s park, offers a beautiful garden and an authentic ambiance, where tradition meets relaxed urban hedonism.
And when you wish to see the city from another time – hop into a Sombor fijaker and enjoy the sights of squares, alleys, and facades passing by like scenes from an old film.

Sombor doesn’t end with its streets – it stretches into the vast plain and the network of Danube backwaters. The Gornje Podunavlje Special Nature Reserve, part of the UNESCO Bačko Podunavlje Biosphere Reserve, is one of the most valuable wetland areas in Europe – a kingdom of birds, deer, boats, and ancient willows. Here, nature isn’t a backdrop; it’s a living stage inviting exploration: boat rides, cycling trails, guided walks, traditional craft workshops, and visits to the Eco-Center Karapandža all form part of the unforgettable experience.

For lovers of rural tourism and authentic Vojvodina life, villages like Bački Monoštor, Bezdan, Gradina, Čonoplja, and Riđica offer the peace of farmsteads, tamburitza evenings, ethno-houses, and local festivals such as Bodrog Fest and the Sombor Kettle competition. Here, the tamburitza doesn’t play out of tradition – it plays because life demands it.

In Sombor, food is made with heart and seasoned with soul. On the table of Ravangrad meet the simplicity of the Pannonian plain and the richness of Bačka cuisine. Try Lemeš kulen or duck paprikaš, savor noodles with poppy seeds or strudels with sour cherries, and along the Danube, look for the best fish stew in the region. Every bite has its rhythm, and every dinner ends with a glass of Riđica wine and the sound of tamburitza players saluting the plain.

Sombor is not a destination you visit just to see – it’s a city you experience. Its streets, carriages, the paintings of Milan Konjović, and the whisper of the plane trees create a serenity that is hard to describe but easy to remember.

This is a city where every facade tells a story, and every smile carries the tone of a tamburitza.

Come to Sombor – to feel the rhythm of the plain, the silence that sings, and the city that will embrace you forever.