Kupinovo: Culture and Obedska Bara

The Putnik homestead forms the core of the ethno-park in Kupinovo. Kupinik is located on a small island in the southeastern part of Obedska Bara, about 1 km from the Sava. The protected area lies between the Sava and the settlements of Kupinovo, Obrež and Grabovci and has held the status of a first-category protected area since 1994. Thus, village cultural history, a waterscape and protected nature come together in and around Kupinovo.

The Putnik House is the oldest preserved residential building in the village. It was built at the end of the 18th or beginning of the 19th century and has completely retained its original appearance. The homestead is laid out as a traditional 19th-century rural household. In addition to the residential building, the ensemble includes a vajat, a stable, a granary and a bread oven known as a furuna. The homestead is also equipped to receive visitors.

The Church of the Holy Spirit, completed in 1814, is part of Kupinovo’s sacred architectural heritage. The Church of St. Luke has a Baroque iconostasis by Jakov Orfelin, probably created in 1792. The present-day Church of Mother Angelina was built in 2007 on the site of the former church and the Obed Monastery.

Obedska Bara offers walks along the designated trails “Putevi đurđevka”, “Staza potkovice” and “Kružna edukativna staza”. For exploring the area by water, there is the “Panorama of Obedska Bara from a Catamaran” excursion. It travels across Krstonošić Oko and includes an introduction to the values and history of the protected area led by a professional guide and area manager. This clearly distinguishes the possible ways to visit: the trails provide access to the landscape on foot, while the aforementioned excursion explains Obedska Bara from a catamaran.

Kupinik was first mentioned in historical sources in 1388 as a royal Hungarian fortification, although it is considered to be older. Today, Kupinik is one of the better-preserved medieval fortification complexes in Vojvodina. The fortress had four projecting corner towers in its extensive walls. A fifth tower stood on the northeastern wall and contained the entrance. These architectural features give the historic site a clearly recognizable structure, without implying that the complex is a fully preserved castle.

For further comparison in the travel guide, Jarak, Zasavica I, Platičevo, Sremska Mitrovica, Vrdnik, Šid, Beška and Nikinci are also available.

When was the Church of St. Luke built?

The Church of St. Luke in Kupinovo was built by Despot Đurađ Branković between 1453 and 1455. It is considered the oldest preserved Orthodox parish church in Vojvodina.

What is known about the iconostasis of the Church of St. Luke?

It is a Baroque iconostasis by Jakov Orfelin. Its creation is probably dated to 1792.

What previously stood on the site of the present-day Church of Mother Angelina?

A church and the Obed Monastery once stood on this site. The present-day Church of Mother Angelina was built there in 2007. The former Obed Monastery stood on a small elevation within the horseshoe-shaped area of Obedska Bara.

For the higher-level travel overview: Srem District.