Castles of Vojvodina

After the victory of Eugene of Savoy at Senta at the end of the 17th century, Austria regained control over the southern parts of the Pannonian Plain. The mighty empire started a series of major reforms: the peasantry were freed of their serfdom, equality of religion was introduced, and non-Catholics were allowed to enter government institutions. The spirit of the new age completely changed the deserted and swampy plains of Backa and Banat. Noble titles and right to own large portions of land were given to the Serbian families Popovic-Tekelija from Arad, Stanimirovic from Kulpin, brothers Dorde and Stevan Zako from Stara Kanjiza, Spasoje Jagodic of Kernjaca, and Servijski-Durković from Turska Kanjiza. After a major sale of state land, vast properties ended up in the hands of Fernbach brothers in Apatin, Karaconji in Beodra, Count Kotek in Futog, Lazar Lukac in Ecka... Soon afterwards, at the end of the 18th and during the 19th century, most of them built castles and summer palaces on their estates. In present-day Vojvodina there are approximately 60 registered edifices of this type, which vary in their architectural value. Some of them are protected by the state, but most of them are decaying or are completely in ruins. How did it happen that this heritage, which is unusually rare in this area and also very valuable, became forgotten? Who were these people and were they driven solely by the desire to acquire riches? Could the castles of Vojvodina get another chance to shine in their full glory?

Genre: History

Country of production: Serbia

Year of production: 2012

Broadcast channel: RTS

Duration: 7 x 30'

1. "Children of the 19th Century"

2. "The Dunderski Family of Mr Geca" - first part

3. "The Dunderski Family of Mr Geca" - second part

4. "Estate of Bogdan Dunderski"

5. „Lenka Dunderska"

6. „The Lazarevic Family"

7. "On the Golden Hill of the Lazarevic family"