Photo du Jour: Role Reversal – Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi Sad, Serbia

Known as the “reversed clock” because of its swapped hour and minute hands, the clock tower of the Petrovaradin Fortress overlooks the city of Novi Sad, Serbia. The fortress sits on the right bank of the Danube River.

The clock was designed in such a fashion so that fishermen could more easily tell time when viewing the clock from a distance. Here, the big hand represents the hour, while the little hand indicates the minutes.

So, are you ready for a time test?

If you guessed that it’s five minutes past six o’clock, you pass with flying colors :)

Where in the World?

Planning Pointers:

Novi Sad (Нови Сад) is Serbia’s second-largest city. Situated in northern Serbia, about 90 km from Belgrade, Novi Sad is slated to be a 2021 European Capital of Culture. For more information, see the Novi Sad Tourist Organization.
Are you looking for more tips? From Belgrade to Subotica, my Serbia guide highlights my favorite experiences in the country.

About the author

Hi! My name is Tricia Mitchell. I delight in telling stories about my slow travels through more than 65 countries. Some of my highlights have included sharing meals with locals in Armenia, Cambodia, and Tunisia; sipping sparkling wine with French cousins in Alsace; milking goats in a sleepy Bulgarian village; and training with a Japanese mine-clearance team in Laos. My husband, Shawn, and I are based in France’s Loire Valley.

8 responses to “Photo du Jour: Role Reversal – Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi Sad, Serbia”

Bim

May 23, 2014

Petrovaradin Fortress is my fave, spent a lot of time there during last 4 years when I lived in Novi Sad :)

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  May 24, 2014
  
  Bim, I can see why the fortress was one of your favorite spots in Novi Sad! We only had the opportunity to go strolling there one early evening, but I loved seeing the artist colony, the splendid views of the Danube and countryside, and taking in the relaxed atmosphere. Were you studying in Novi Sad?
  
  1. Bim
    
    May 24, 2014
    
    Yea I was studying in Novi Sad, still finishing tho, but I guess I will continue visiting it from time to time since I live just an hour away :D
  2. Tricia A. Mitchell
    
    May 24, 2014
    
    It’s a very pretty region. We’d love to come back and explore more of the wine & agricultural areas someday soon. Fruška Gora looks stunning!
alessandro ciapanna

May 24, 2014

Ever since i was a child i wondered why the hour hand was the smaller one. Design flaw, no doubt. Very interesting post…

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  May 24, 2014
  
  Me too, Alessandro. :) Even with that instinct in mind though, this lovely clock confuses me.
  
  With the intense rains this region had in the last week, we certainly saw the effect on the Danube these past days. It’s moving quite quickly. For the sake of so many affected by the floods in Bosnia, Serbia, and Croatia, here’s hoping the rains will continue to hold off.
  
2. Elenka Spasojevic
  
  June 10, 2020
  
  No flaw, at all. When on the Danube, ship captain would much easier spot the big handle – and know what is the hour, then a small one. If he can see the minutes showing with the small handle, good for him. But if not, he would at least know the hour of the day.
  
The Best Things to Do in Novi Sad, Serbia | StefanRTW

January 31, 2016

[…] biggest attractions at the fortress, and also one of the most recognizable symbols of Novi Sad, is the Clock Tower. It was designed to help the boatmen on the river and military guards to keep time and is still […]