Fantast Castle

The Dunđerski family were among the largest landowners in Vojvodina, and Bogdan Dunđerski built this house between 1919 and 1923 in a romantic neo-gothic style with a tower, battlements and a stone terrace, surrounded by a landscaped park of some sixty-five hectares. The estate kept a stud of Lipizzaner and thoroughbred horses, which continues, and riding is offered. A small chapel in the grounds holds frescoes by Uroš Predić, including a Saint George whose face is said to be the painter's version of the owner. The house now functions partly as a hotel and restaurant, so visitors can eat and stay in it, which is unusual for a building of this kind in Serbia and keeps it in use.

Background

Fantast Castle, also called the Dunderski Palace, was built by Bogdan Dunderski from 1919 onwards. His family had come from Herzegovina to Vojvodina in the late nineteenth century, and at one time he owned 1500 hectares of land; the story goes that he built the lavish castle and its estate to show everyone that he was not bankrupt, as rumour claimed. He never married, but was known for his love of fine women, horses and wine. Most of the original furnishings were later removed, and today only 65 hectares of the old land belong to the castle grounds.

Source: Wikipedia, "Fantast"

What to look for

• The neo-gothic house - tower, battlements and terrace from the 1920s.
• The stud farm - working stables with Lipizzaners and thoroughbreds.
• The estate chapel - frescoes by Uroš Predić.
• The park - sixty-five hectares of landscaped grounds around the house.

When to go

April to October for the park and riding; the hotel and restaurant operate year round. Weekends bring wedding parties and events that can restrict access to parts of the house.

Before you go

The interiors are used as a hotel and are not presented as a historic house museum, so expectations of period rooms will not be met. Maintenance is uneven. Events can close areas without notice. The estate is isolated and a car is needed.

Nearby

Bečej lies northeast; Novi Sad is southwest.

Key facts