Situated in northern Serbia, the city of Subotica is like a treasure box overflowing with Art Nouveau gems. Most of the buildings were constructed in the early 20th Century, when Serbia and neighboring Hungary were part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire.
Designers incorporated whimsical details, colorful flourishes, and folk art into Subotica’s City Hall, Synagogue, private homes, and banks, evoking thoughts of Gaudí, fictional Dr. Seuss lands, and fanciful wedding cakes.
Aside from their beautiful charm, what’s remarkable about the structures is that their ceramic work is still as brilliant today as it was one hundred years ago.
Tricia A. Mitchell is a freelance writer and photographer. Born in Europe but raised in the United States, she has lived in Valletta, Malta; Heidelberg, Germany; and Split, Croatia. An avid globetrotter who has visited more than 65 countries, she has a penchant for off-season travel. Tricia has learned that travel’s greatest gift is not sightseeing, rather it is the interactions with people. Some of her most memorable experiences have been sharing a bottle of champagne with distant French cousins in Lorraine, learning how to milk goats in a sleepy Bulgarian village, and ringing in the Vietnamese New Year with a Hanoi family. She welcomes any opportunity to practice French and German, and she loves delving into a place’s history and artisanal food scene.
A former education administrator and training specialist, Tricia has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in international relations. She and her husband, Shawn, married in the ruins of a snowy German castle. They’ve been known to escape winter by basing themselves in coastal Croatia or Southeast Asia.
Her writing has appeared in Fodor’s Travel, Frommer’s, and International Living.
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25 thoughts on “The Art Nouveau Treasures of Subotica, Serbia”
We thought the same thing today, Virginia, as we strolled through the neighboring old spa town that was popular around the turn of the century. We could imagine the lake-goers in their old fashioned swimming suits, or in fine dress, with parasols in hand. :)
Hi Lynne, glad you liked the collage. There’s such a plethora of great architectural details here, I have to watch my step whenever we go walking through the town. Inevitably, my gaze is always up, up, up. :) Shawn should get an award for being ever so patient as I snap away.
Agreed, Mark. :) I think it’s incredible that so many of this city’s buildings have retained their delightful details over the past century. They make the city come alive.
Lara, I can see how you drew a connection between fairy tales and this style of Art Nouveau architecture. I read that the designers here tried to incorporate folk art and natural symbols into the architecture, and so a connection to a Grimm Brothers fairy tale like Hansel & Gretl seems fitting.
Windows ( and doors) are always so interesting to photograph, I always wonder what goes on behind the windows, maybe a great story of an older couple writing their biography…………just a thought….
Cornelia, I like the way you let your imagination go. :) When one thinks of all the changes that have happened in this part of the world since the early 20th Century (when these structures were built), it’s fascinating to ponder what stories that older generation could tell. Tales from two world wars, life in the former Austrian-Hungarian Empire, and Yugoslavia, etc…
Thank you Tricia. I hope the sun is breaking through for you and you have marvelous days ahead of you, with great views of the majestic alps. I am going to be in Munich for a short visit for my oldest nephews wedding middle of September. Before flying into Munich I will go to Krackau for a few days. I think it is a wonderful city to visit, have you been there? I am looking for a B&B or something like that.
Krakow is certainly beautiful. I was there back around 2005 on a blustery winter weekend, but I still remember being awed by the city’s architecture. My friends and I did an extensive road-trip around the area in 4 days – going to Krakow, Budapest, a bit of Slovakia. I regret that I can’t remember where we stayed while in Krakow though. It wasn’t a ‘slow travel’ kind of weekend, so I can’t share many anecdotes from the city.
Thank you for the sunny wishes. We’re now a bit farther from the Alps, actually in this city in Serbia where I took these window pictures. :) It’s a bit cloudy at the moment, but I suspect the sun will break through shortly. Wish you a gorgeous weekend and perhaps we can meet up in Oberbayern in September.
Randall, thank you! Indeed, spotting buildings that are each wearing a different look is quite fun. I like the symbolism behind them. For example, a beehive depicted on one of the banks here is said to symbolize frugality.
Tricia, these windows are gorgeous! I must admit I never think of Serbia having Art Nouveau, but I forgot they were part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. Beautiful photos and a great history memory jog for me. ~Terri
Terri, just another reason to love travel – it makes history and art lessons that much more relevant. :) We’re also learning a lot as we continue to travel through this part of Europe. Last night, we watched a program on Art Nouveau, and found ourselves intrigued by the various styles of the movement which were popularized in different countries. Have you and James been to Serbia?
I’m growing quite fond of this variety of Art Nouveau. Nearby, there’s a great village named Palić, which was previously a popular spa town. Its buildings are less dressy than Subotica’s buildings, but they look perfect nestled in the woods, and along the lakeside promenade.
Love windows and doors. They’re so evocative of a country. Unfortunately now we have ditched diversity for bland, characterless uniformity. UPVC — but with a choice of colours.
Dorothy, when we look at the world’s grand old buildings that were constructed before the advent of sophisticated building technology like we have now, I often think the same thing. Such details like Subotica’s are indeed delightful to explore when so much of today’s construction is cookie cutter-esque. Here’s to today’s architects and designers who are challenging that phenomenon!
Carol, so often its “all in the details.” :) I do appreciate the Art Nouveau designers’ aim of trying to prettify the everyday, and combat mass production. I think these stunning buildings are testament to that philosophy.
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Very cool set!
Thank you, Tine! The Art Nouveau details here are like little gems, and a collage seemed a fitting way to assemble them. :) Have you been to Subotica?
These are ,magic windows. What wonderful stories they could tell Tricia.
We thought the same thing today, Virginia, as we strolled through the neighboring old spa town that was popular around the turn of the century. We could imagine the lake-goers in their old fashioned swimming suits, or in fine dress, with parasols in hand. :)
Great collection and presentation of windows, Tricia. What an artsy and creative way to display one’s heritage.
Hi Lynne, glad you liked the collage. There’s such a plethora of great architectural details here, I have to watch my step whenever we go walking through the town. Inevitably, my gaze is always up, up, up. :) Shawn should get an award for being ever so patient as I snap away.
So cool.
Agreed, Mark. :) I think it’s incredible that so many of this city’s buildings have retained their delightful details over the past century. They make the city come alive.
Just like a fairytale – so pretty!
Lara, I can see how you drew a connection between fairy tales and this style of Art Nouveau architecture. I read that the designers here tried to incorporate folk art and natural symbols into the architecture, and so a connection to a Grimm Brothers fairy tale like Hansel & Gretl seems fitting.
Windows ( and doors) are always so interesting to photograph, I always wonder what goes on behind the windows, maybe a great story of an older couple writing their biography…………just a thought….
Cornelia, I like the way you let your imagination go. :) When one thinks of all the changes that have happened in this part of the world since the early 20th Century (when these structures were built), it’s fascinating to ponder what stories that older generation could tell. Tales from two world wars, life in the former Austrian-Hungarian Empire, and Yugoslavia, etc…
Thank you Tricia. I hope the sun is breaking through for you and you have marvelous days ahead of you, with great views of the majestic alps. I am going to be in Munich for a short visit for my oldest nephews wedding middle of September. Before flying into Munich I will go to Krackau for a few days. I think it is a wonderful city to visit, have you been there? I am looking for a B&B or something like that.
Krakow is certainly beautiful. I was there back around 2005 on a blustery winter weekend, but I still remember being awed by the city’s architecture. My friends and I did an extensive road-trip around the area in 4 days – going to Krakow, Budapest, a bit of Slovakia. I regret that I can’t remember where we stayed while in Krakow though. It wasn’t a ‘slow travel’ kind of weekend, so I can’t share many anecdotes from the city.
Thank you for the sunny wishes. We’re now a bit farther from the Alps, actually in this city in Serbia where I took these window pictures. :) It’s a bit cloudy at the moment, but I suspect the sun will break through shortly. Wish you a gorgeous weekend and perhaps we can meet up in Oberbayern in September.
Great shots, such diversity.
Randall, thank you! Indeed, spotting buildings that are each wearing a different look is quite fun. I like the symbolism behind them. For example, a beehive depicted on one of the banks here is said to symbolize frugality.
Tricia, these windows are gorgeous! I must admit I never think of Serbia having Art Nouveau, but I forgot they were part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. Beautiful photos and a great history memory jog for me. ~Terri
Terri, just another reason to love travel – it makes history and art lessons that much more relevant. :) We’re also learning a lot as we continue to travel through this part of Europe. Last night, we watched a program on Art Nouveau, and found ourselves intrigued by the various styles of the movement which were popularized in different countries. Have you and James been to Serbia?
I’m growing quite fond of this variety of Art Nouveau. Nearby, there’s a great village named Palić, which was previously a popular spa town. Its buildings are less dressy than Subotica’s buildings, but they look perfect nestled in the woods, and along the lakeside promenade.
Love windows and doors. They’re so evocative of a country. Unfortunately now we have ditched diversity for bland, characterless uniformity. UPVC — but with a choice of colours.
Dorothy, when we look at the world’s grand old buildings that were constructed before the advent of sophisticated building technology like we have now, I often think the same thing. Such details like Subotica’s are indeed delightful to explore when so much of today’s construction is cookie cutter-esque. Here’s to today’s architects and designers who are challenging that phenomenon!
I love catching small details like these gorgeous windows.
Carol, so often its “all in the details.” :) I do appreciate the Art Nouveau designers’ aim of trying to prettify the everyday, and combat mass production. I think these stunning buildings are testament to that philosophy.
They are for sure. When we were in Bruges I just couldn’t stop taking photos of the doors, and in Oman the gates are gorgeous.
Very charming capture!
Thank you – it was fun hunting them down, then piecing them all together. :)