Bačka Topola offers several distinct themes for a cultural trip: the history of the castle and its exhibitions, church architecture, traditional building styles, as well as crafts and cuisine. The museum in the castle and the Local History House represent different periods of construction; the churches can be distinguished by their styles, height and building histories. The Sarmijada adds a different note with a sarma competition and a fair. You can choose the focus of your stay according to the topics that interest you most.
Castle Museum and Local History House
The Bačka Topola Museum opened in September 2002 in the Krai family castle, built in 1802. The two dates mark different chapters: 1802 in the castle’s construction history, and 2002 as the start of its use as a museum. The museum also showcases the animal and plant life along the banks of the Krivaja. The same building thus brings together the history of a historic building and a nature theme centred on the river.
The Local History House “Zavičajna Kuća” was built in 1843. It is a protected example of traditional architecture in its original location. Compared with the Castle Museum, it offers a different historical and architectural point of reference: here, the focus is on a traditional house, with its location forming part of its description. Visits are planned from spring to autumn; group visits can take place year-round by prior arrangement. Check visiting options before your trip, and arrange a time for a group visit in advance.
Church architecture: style, height and building history
The Church of the Holy Prophet Elijah was built in the Serbo-Byzantine style and resembles a three-aisled basilica. It was consecrated in 1940. Different features stand out at the Roman Catholic Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (“Srpna Gospa”): its tower is 72.70 metres high, and it is the tallest Catholic church in Serbia. The Church of the Sacred Heart, in turn, can be understood through its construction history. Its foundation stone was laid in 1992, and construction continued until 2001. It was built almost entirely with voluntary donations from local worshippers and worshippers from sister cities.
The churches therefore offer different points of comparison: the focus at Elijah’s Church is on architectural style and its resemblance to a basilica; at “Srpna Gospa,” on the tower’s height and its national standing; and at the Sacred Heart, on the construction period and community support. Those interested in sacred architecture can consider these features separately, rather than assigning the churches to the same construction period or a single style.
Workshop history and the Sarmijada
A further glimpse of local crafts can be found at the wheelwright and blacksmith workshop. A special type of horse-drawn carriage, the “Topolska kočija,” was made there. The museum exhibition in the former workshop includes tools and finished products. Together, the carriage-making, equipment and finished products offer different ways to explore the workshop’s history, without conflating the objects on display with the carriage.
The Sarmijada includes a sarma cooking competition. It also features a fair with handicrafts and food products. The event is therefore not limited to the cooking competition: crafts and food products are part of it too. If you want to include the Sarmijada in your stay, check the specific event dates in advance.
Discover more destinations: Palić, Subotica, Stara Moravica, Krivaja, Feketić, Bački Sokolac.
Return to the main travel overview: Severna-Backa.
