The Spitzer family lived there until WWII, when they either fled Beočin or were forced out by the partisans, never to return again. The Spitzer castle itself has been built around 1899, as carved in a stone above the backyard door. As Beočin was part of Austro-Hungarian monarchy at the time, Spitzer had the projects made by one of the most significant Hungarian architects Imre Steindl, who also designed the Parliament House in Budapest. It was commissioned by the industrialist Ede Spitzer to be built in close vicinity of Beočin’s cement factory he owned. What once was in this shell of the Serbian town of Beocin? Here are some photos of the scene, taken in just two dimensions.
ABANDONED CHURCH WINDOWS
The sun shone through the stained glass windows and lit up their lives. The buzz of the insects was replaced with chatter of people who existed before disrepair was the best option. People appeared in my vision, walking through the inception-ed front door and meeting others already there.
Like a telepath, I used my imagination to bring in the missing parts of the building – I had them flying through the air and reattaching to the foundations. In my mind’s eye I created a scene that fitted my interpretation. It didn’t really matter to me and I, in some way, like that I didn’t know. Maybe it was more of a community place of gathering, perhaps a residence for the pious, or perhaps just architecturally-inspired by the divine. It was certainly something of religious significance but it’s not of the design of the traditional Orthodox structures of Serbia. I actually wonder now, looking back on it, whether it really was a church. But, inside, there was a sense of isolation.Ī barrier was created as I stepped over the threshold and I was alone in the structure with no concern for what was back beyond it. No facade existed and the building was open to the elements and observers. So I gave myself permission to walk inside and capture the moment. There was no fence to climb over – in fact, the driveway seemed eerily inviting. It reminded me of my recent adventure into Nara Dreamland.
A community that cannot maintain its landmarks cannot justify an explanation.īut, in that mystery, I found an element of exploration and intrigue. It was not a planned sight and there was no sign out front telling me what it was. My plan was to explore Fruska Gora National Park and the monasteries there but one of the highlights was discovering the ruins of this old church. The residents who remain are workers of the land or commuting slaves to the nearby city.Įither way, Beocin shows signs of being a slight shell of its former self. There’s nothing special about the place – it is, like many small towns, just a remnant of a time when not all culture was urban culture.
ABANDONED CHURCH FULL
On the second full day of my time in the country I caught a bus from the city of Novi Sad out to a small town called Beocin. Well, I’m sorry, I’m already resorting to pretty pictures. I promised to bring you detailed and in-depth stories about my discoveries in Serbia.
0 kommentar(er)
