Kovilj – Nature, Culture and Travel Planning

Kovilj lies on the edge of the Koviljsko-petrovaradinski rit Special Nature Reserve, which covers 5,895 hectares.

For travel from Novi Sad, Kovilj is served by suburban bus route 24. The town is also located on the Danube Cycle Route EuroVelo 6. This provides different starting points for travel planning: you can reach Kovilj by regional public transport, include the town in a cycling trip or deliberately combine its nature and cultural offerings.

In the Koviljsko-petrovaradinski rit, birdwatching is one of the organised activities. An educational trail leads to a viewing point at Agla Pond. From there, you can observe birds and other living creatures at the pond. The trail is therefore not merely a general stay in a protected area, but offers a specifically named observation site.

Another option is a motorboat ride through the Koviljsko-petrovaradinski rit. It is organised by Vojvodinašume in cooperation with the Kovilj Eco Centre. The boat ride and the educational trail represent different ways of getting to know the area: one from the water and the other with an emphasis on observation and education. Which of these options suits your stay therefore depends on the focus you have planned.

The Kovilj Cultural Station is located in an authentic Vojvodina house that is more than a century old. The City of Novi Sad completely reconstructed the house for the organisation of cultural programmes. The site thus combines a specific historic building with present-day cultural use, without allowing any particular event programme to be inferred for your travel dates.

The Church of the Holy Apostle Thomas in Kovilj is also among the designated cultural sites and is listed as a cultural monument. The townscape is further complemented by the still-maintained Christmas custom of “Vijanje Božića”. Kovilj therefore offers both documented architectural and cultural monuments and a traditional custom passed down through generations.

At Sava Graorac’s farm, visitors can sample products made from Mangulica pork and mulberry brandy. These products give the regional cuisine a clear local connection. If you are looking for culinary impressions, this offering is a different type of visit from the nature programmes in the protected area and should therefore be taken into account when planning your day.

Bački zoo vrt is an educational mini-zoo on a family farm in Kovilj. It is aimed at children and families and complements nature observation in the protected area with a more guided form of learning and experience. This allows families to accommodate different interests during a stay without equating nature with animal observation.

If you would like to compare Kovilj with other destinations, you can find additional information about Sremska Kamenica, Bač, Novi Sad, Turija, Temerin, Kać, Novi Bečej and Sremski Karlovci.

Which historic church was built in 1829?

The Serbian Orthodox Church of the Ascension of Christ, Kovilj’s Upper Church, was built in 1829. It is therefore a specific historic reference point alongside the Church of the Holy Apostle Thomas, which is designated as a cultural monument.

Who is the memorial museum at Kovilj Monastery dedicated to?

Kovilj Monastery houses a memorial museum dedicated to Archimandrite Jovan Rajić (1726–1801). The complete lifespan is part of the museum’s designation and should be retained in its cultural classification.

What does the “Parastos dudu” event mark?

“Parastos dudu” marks the beginning of mulberry picking and the production of the well-known Koviljska dudovača mulberry brandy. The event thus establishes a seasonal connection between an agricultural activity and a regionally named beverage.

Which workshops are offered at Bački zoo vrt?

Children can take part in workshops about bird eggs, snails, insects and larvae. The educational programme therefore goes beyond simply viewing animals and covers several specific topics from nature.

For the overarching travel overview: Juzna-Backa.