The Regional Ecotourism Strategy – Special Nature Reserve Slano Kopovo and Nádastó Leisure Park

Prof. Dr. Lazar Lazić • Prof. Dr. Vladimir Stojanović The Regional ecotourism strategy – Special Nature Reserve Slano kopovo and Nádastó Leisure Park

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net Novi Bečej, 2020. Content

Preface...... 1

Introductory Considerations: Importance, principles and educational role of ecotourism...... 2

The place and role of Ecotourism Development Strategy in sustainable development of border regions of Hungary and Serbia...... 5

Geographical location, boundaries and size ...... 6

Natural characteristics...... 7 Municipality Novi Bečej...... 7 Geomorphologic characteristics...... 7 Climatic characteristics ...... 8 Hydrological characteristics ...... 8 Flora and fauna ...... 10 Soil characteristics ...... 14 Sandorfalva...... 14 Geomorphologic and hydrological characteristics...... 17 Climatic characteristics ...... 18 Flora and fauna ...... 18

Cultural and historical values...... 19 Municipality Novi Bečej...... 19 Architectural cultural goods ...... 19 Religious cultural goods...... 22 Archeological cultural goods ...... 27 Museum settings...... 28 Other cultural goods ...... 30 Sandorfalva...... 31 Cultural and Historical Values near Sandorfalva...... 33

Material base...... 35 Novi Bečej ...... 35 Sandorfalva...... 36

Market ...... 37

SWOT analysis...... 38

Strategic guidelines...... 39 Vision...... 39 Image...... 39 Selection of strategic strongholds...... 41 Integrisani ciljevi...... 43 Benchmarking analysis...... 44 Preface

cotourism is a component of the sustainable development and one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry, focused on nature conservation, social and economic development. It tries to Eraise ecological consciousness by exploring nature and ecosystems and by providing natural type ex- periences. Ecotourism helps in development of local communities by providing the alternate source of live- lihood which is more sustainable. The Regional ecotourism strategy – Special Nature Reserve Slano kopovo and Nádastó Leisure Park is one of the results of two years project „Rehabilitation of common natural and cultural heritage for future development of the region“ (HUSRB/1602/31/0128), co-financed by the European Union through the IPA programme. The main goal of the project is to use the values and potentials of protected areas for the development of ecotourism, as well as the revival of tourism, economy and the local community along with the strengthening of cross-border partnership. All project activities can be divided into four parts. One of them includes activities oriented towards the establishment and development of a tourist destination – seminars and training for professionals, development of the ecotourism strategy of the region, elaboration of a study on the rehabilitation of Lake Nadas. The first part of this strategy contains the analysis of all the resources which are important for “Slano kopovo” and “Sandorfalva”, especially in the context of ecological education and ecotourism. The subject of this analysis are natural and cultural resources, accommodation and services market. The second part elabo- rates the strategic guidelines that should lead to the fulfilment of the objectives set in this project regarding the determination of the ecotourism development vision and the selection of strategic strongpoints.

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net 1 Introductory Considerations: Importance, principles and educational role of ecotourism

cotourism is said to be a paradigm for the sus- ural phenomena and processes. Thus, ecotourism tainable development of tourism, while this, emphasizes education about natural phenomena as Eas a form of tourism, is linked to ethical prin- well as their interpretation. Such activities should ciples in environmental protection. Sustainability not leave the possibility of negative impacts. is one of the major development topics in tourism. Ecotourism is mainly developed in protected ar- The original, healthy and attractive environment is eas, which have been formed in order to protect bi- one of the basic resources of tourism, so its protec- odiversity, natural and cultural goods. Protected ar- tion is one of the basic tasks of tourism profession- eas are the best way to protect species, ecosystems als and workers. Sustainable tourism is most often and genetic variability as integral parts of biodiver- seen as an application of the idea of sustainable de- sity. The purpose of protected areas, from the very velopment in the tourism sector, so it follows that it beginning of their establishment, is also reflected is a form of tourism that meets the tourism needs of in the needs of tourists and individuals of a socie- present generations, without the possibility of jeop- ty. The value of their tourist attractiveness is con- ardizing the needs of future generations. It is a form tained in the assessment that they are must-vis- of tourism that wisely conserves and uses resources it destinations. From the above it follows that two to maintain its long-term sustainability. Sustaina- important functions of a protected area are pre- ble tourism insists on minimizing negative impacts cisely nature protection and tourism development, and maximizing positive impacts, which is an in- as well as a number of different influences arising creasingly challenging task given the massive devel- from this relationship. By their nature, they can be opment of tourism in the second half of the 20th positive and negative, and in addition they can be century. categorized within the concept of sustainable devel- Ecotourism is based on the principle of unspent opment, based on three principles. The first is the use of resources (e.g. photo travels, bird watching, principle of ecological sustainability, which enables walking, educational tours) and does not include development to be in harmony with ecological pro- activities such as hunting or fishing. As a form of cesses and biological diversity. The principle of so- tourism and a tourism principle, it is related to na- cial and cultural sustainability follows, which aligns ture-based tourism activities in which tourists’ mo- tourism development with the traditional values of tivation is initiated by observing and exploring nat- local communities. And the last is the principle of

Tourism – Protected area

Ecological impacts Social impacts Economic impacts

Positive Negative Positive Negative Positive Negative impact impact impact impact impact impact

Figure 1. Impacts of tourism on the protected area

2 Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net Table 1. Positive and negative impacts of tourism in the development of tourism of protected area

The benefit The damage Protecting landscapes, wildlife and ecosystems . Poorly steered management can turn recreation and tourism into a threat to landscapes and the living world, which is why protected areas are established . Provision of recreational facilities . Also, protection and The status of a protected area further draws attention scientific research can be funded from service billing . to the space within its boundaries . This attracts a large number of visitors and creates crowds . Employment opportunities for locals inhabitants and The local population can be excluded from numerous involvement in protection, thus avoiding negative impacts . activities in their traditional territory, including nature protection . economic sustainability, which ensures the econom- of nature (education, interpretation boards, visitor ic efficiency of management. centers). Tourism can have a variety of positive impacts on The nature of the negative impact of tourism on the protected area and all the natural values of the the protected area is diverse and can be observed in area, then on tourists, who can have multiple ben- the short and long term. The role of protected areas efits from such a visit, and finally on the social and is to provide protection for species, habitats, ecosys- economic characteristics of local communities in tems and landscapes, so understanding the negative the direct environment. impact of tourism is crucial. Protected area manag- Ecotourism economic revenues in protected are- ers must recognize such impacts in order to avoid, as highlight several important topics: mitigate and reduce them. • generating economic profits through tourism Different types of tourism activities can cause (tourists spend money in protected areas or different impacts on the geographical and biologi- on related activities - tickets, accommodation, cal characteristics of protected areas. The construc- guide, food and drink; intermediaries can also tion of tourism infrastructure, including accommo- benefit - tour operators, travel agencies or e- dation facilities (for example, camps, visitor centers, booking, merchants and the like); etc.), tourist educational trails, roads, supports the • the way that the protected area manager uses development of tourism on the one hand, but threat- tourism revenue (protected area managers can ens the protected area on the other. These factors re- use tourism revenue to finance nature protec- sult in devastation of resources, energy consump- tion activities); tion, habitat destruction, extinction of wildlife. In • private sector influence (this sector can pro- addition, the type of habitat and the degree of its vide the capital investment necessary for nor- sensitivity to the disturbance also affects the over- mal functioning of tourism, provided that the all extent of the impact. For example, over-trekking manager of the protected area permits com- in a rocky area will have a smaller negative impact mercial tourism); on vegetation than is the case in wetlands. Final- • local benefits and attitudes towards protect- ly, analysis of this kind must also take into account ed areas (tourism may sometimes be the only the wider context of the environment, for example opportunity for the community to profit from in the light of climate change. nature protection). What are the opportunities for the development of ecotourism in Serbia? Tourism in Serbia is devel- Finally, tourism in protected areas can be a key oping according to the Tourism Development Strat- driver of the development of local communities re- egy of the Republic of Serbia for the period 2016- siding in their immediate environment. With prop- 2025, which recognizes protected areas as one of the er plans and their successful implementation, tour- essential strengths and advantages in the tourism ism can improve the socio-economic position of a offer. At the same time, the Strategy points out that community (raising living standards, improving in- one of the weaknesses is that measures of protec- frastructure, education and the like). Finally, which tion are not respected in the sufficient extent and seems very important, ecotourism can contribute that the coordination between tourism and nature to a better understanding of natural phenomena protection is not recognized. The state territory of and processes and thus contribute to the protection Serbia is characterized by great genetic, species and

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net 3 ecosystem diversity. Although total biodiversity has reptiles and amphibians of Europe; 66% of the bird not yet been fully investigated, available data indi- fauna of Europe; 43% fauna of mammals in Europe. cate that 44,200 species and subspecies have been Serbia’s natural values represent a significant part of recorded so far. The total number of species is esti- the richness and diversity of Europe’s natural her- mated to be as high as 60,000. The territory of Ser- itage. The problem of tourism development in the bia occupies only 0.87% of the European continent, protected areas of Serbia lies in the fact that the of- and in its territory lives: 18% of the vascular flora fer is based on values that do not highlight the area of Europe; 16% of Europe’s fauna of fish; 16% of the in question as protected.

4 Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net The place and role of Ecotourism Development Strategy in sustainable development of border regions of Hungary and Serbia

order regions are becoming more and more which is why we need to provide additional impe- successful tourist destinations, among other tus in their development through the writing of Bthings, as they leave the possibility for tour- joint planning documents, strategies and the for- ists to get to know two or three countries and their mation of joint tourist itineraries. Such activities natural and cultural heritage during a short or a are primarily aimed at the economic empower- longer stay. Protected areas and natural landscapes ment of such areas, but they are largely in the func- are of particular importance here, with the result tion of building friendly and neighborly relations that many countries establish international pro- between people, cities, villages and entire states. tected areas and integrate the protected areas of the Therefore, this Ecotourism Development Strategy border areas into a unique tourism offer. This prac- should be viewed through a series of concrete meas- tice has been particularly domesticated in the coun- ures, which should contribute to the achievement of tries of the European Union. For example, Poland the goals already mentioned: the construction of and Germany have a joint action to promote and a common ecotourism destination, economic em- tourism propaganda of their border regions’ under powerment, the building of friendly relations, and the slogan: “Two countries, one region”. The border finally the protection of nature in accordance with zone from the far north to the far south is divid- contemporary global trends. ed into three regions, each in the territory of both Slano Kopovo Special Nature Reserve, near Novi countries. All tourism resources are classified into Bečej (Serbia), and Lakes Sandorfalva, not far from three major groups: natural values, active holidays the village of the same name (Hungary), repre- and cultural values. The list of natural valuescon - sent already recognizable tourist destinations at lo- tains a total of 21 landmarks, including national cal and regional level, which should achieve great- parks, nature parks and landscapes of exceptional er success in the future through the integration of quality. offer, joint promotion and presentation, as many It is clear that border areas represent potential- cross-border destinations have achieved, across Eu- ly more and more attractive tourist destinations, rope and in other parts of the world.

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net 5 Geographical location, boundaries and size

unicipality Novi Bečej is located in the Miloševo and Novi Bečej – Bašaid. These are at the north-east of Autonomous Province of same time access roads at the north and south en- MVojvodina, i.e. in the north-west of Banat trances to the reserve. Slano Kopovo includes a in Banat Potisje. The north and north-east the Mu- semi-arched, elongated depression from north-west nicipality Novi Bečej borders with the territory of to south-east. Municipality Kikinda, east and south with the ter- Sandorfalva is a town in the south of Hunga- ritory of Municipality Zrenjanin, while the western ry in the region Southern Great Plain in Csongrad border of municipal area has the river Tisa as a nat- County. It covers an area of 56 km2 and population ural border towards the municipalities Ada, Bečej of near 8000 inhabitants. The closest gravity center and Žabalj. These described boundaries of a mu- is Szeged which is 14 km south. nicipality Novi Bečej cover an area of 609 km2 and Nadas Lake Leisure Park is located just 3 km population of 24.000 inhabitants. north of the center of Sandorfalva. Traffic location Special Nature Reserve “Slano Kopovo” is lo- is good, as the E75 motorway is located at a distance cated north-east of Novi Bečej, 5 km away in air of 10 kilometers, as well as the M53 main road and line. It is bounded by the roads Novi Bečej – Novo regional roads 5 and 47.

Figure 2. Geographical location of Municipality Novi Bečej Figure 3. Geographical location of Sandorfalva Source: Google Maps Source: Google Maps

6 Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net Natural characteristics

Municipality Novi Bečej

Geomorphologic characteristics gated by numerous arched recesses incurred primar- The geomorphology of the territory of the Munici- ily by erosive-accumulative work of the Tisa River, pality Novi Bečej is a lowland plain which is gener- which during the past often changed its course and ally tilted toward the outflow direction of the Tisa left behind numerous abandoned meanders. One of River and to the west and south. Its altitude is in the them is the paleomeander in which deepest part lies range of 76-86 m. The territory of the municipality the lake Slano Kopovo. So, horseshoe paleomeander lies on the two relief units on the lower - the alluvial that houses lake Large Kopovo is a relic of the for- plain of the Tisa and higher - hilled. Alluvial plain mer, intense fluvial action of Tisa. It is formed at the of the Tisa generally covers the western parts of the end of the last glacial stage and the beginning of the municipality, and the loess terrace (Pleistocene ter- Holocene, when the Tisa, due to glaciers melting in race, Varoška terrace, etc.). Northeastern, eastern the upper part of the basin, had substantial amounts and southeastern parts of the municipal area. of water and flooded the surrounding plains in the Narrowly viewed, Special Nature Reserve “Slano middle and especially the lower flow. Subsequently, Kopovo” is located in the far northwestern edge of reducing the amount of water of Tisa, in late prebore- the Zrenjanin-Novi Bečej Pleistocene terraces. Area al climate phase, the process of accumulation of ma- of the whole relief is not ideally flattened but is corru- terial, from which the terrace was built, was replaced

Figure 4. Paleomeander of river Tisa where Lake Slano Kopovo is located Photo: G.Farkaš

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net 7 by intense lateral erosion, which initiates the forma- water at the bottom of the lake several centimeters of tion of alluvial plains as lower relief stair. Thus pale- salt remain deposited. The whole scene seems surre- omeander becomes a fossil relief morphosculpture al when in the midst of green fields appears elongated form that is in part, at its deepest part, retained its white spot. The specific microclimate conditions that hydrological function. arise due to different intensity of warm air over the lake and the air over surrounding farmland are the cause of this extraordinary optical and meteorological Climatic characteristics phenomenon. Increased heating of the air above the Municipality Novi Bečej is located in a moderate lake is the cause of a mirage. Differences in the heat- continental climate with more explicit elements ing of the air above the lake and above the surround- of continentality. The average annual temperature ing fields sometimes result in the appearance of spec- here is around 11°C. The coldest month, in average tacular curly winds. These winds leave behind traces for several years, is January (-1.0°C) and the warm- of salts in the form of lines, which can be as long as a est is July (21.5°C). In the municipality area winds few hundred meters so when a storm passes the lake blow from all directions. The highest frequency surface is furrowed by these lines. have southeastern (234 ‰) and northwestern (159 ‰) winds, and the lowest the east (53 ‰) and south- west (77 ‰) winds. Municipality of Novi Bečej, on Hydrological characteristics average, receives about 580 mm of atmospheric pre- The base of hydrography of Special Nature Reserve cipitation per year. In average, the rainiest month is Slano Kopovo is made by lake Large Kopovo (Slano June (about 81 mm) and May (about 63 mm), while Kopovo, Kopovo) located in a strong hydraulic con- the driest are March and October (about 37 mm). nection with the shallow phreatic aquifers. Lake in The average annual value of insolation in the mu- the genetic sense is a fluvial lake or the still waters of nicipality is about 2100 hours. Tisa. It is located in the eastern, deepest part of the It is important to point out that the special nature horseshoe shaped paleomeander formed on the ter- reserve “Slano Kopovo” has specific characteristics of ritory of which the Tisa flowed through and built its the microclimate. In fact, at a time when the entire alluvial plain before the last accumulation of loess. lake dries up, this area becomes the scene of the events The lake has a very elongated shape in the direc- of unusual natural phenomena. After evaporation of tion of north-west – south-east. With average water

Figure 5. Dried basin of Slano Kopovo with occasional salt deposits Photo: L.Lazić

8 Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net level, it is about 3 km long, while its greatest width in the north-western part of the basin is about 625 m. Slano Kopovo is the narrowest in the south- east of where it ends in the form of a narrowing gap, only 50 m wide. Length of the shoreline of the lake is about 7 km and the area is around 1.45 km2. With average water level, water mirror is located at a height of 74.8 m, and the bottom of the deepest parts of the basin is at an absolute height of 74 m. Due to the very shallow depth of the lake basin, these dimensions change significantly because of the water level fluctuations, the lake rapidly ex- pands and withdraws. The strongest movement of the coastline of the eastern, south-eastern and western parts of the lake where it is shallowest, while the movement is the least in the western part of the lake which has a maximum depth. With the water withdrawal in the north-western part of the basin, three “halo” slops can be seen, so-called “Eye” material. According to S. B. Marković and associates (1998) it is about the places where the phreatic water that feeds the lake breaks out. Kopovo feeds with the water through direct precipitation on the aquatorium, as well as surface and Figure 6. "The eye", place where phreatic aquifers emerge groundwater inflow, while the water is lost by evap- Photo: V.Stojanović oration. Lake previously had more water, and in recent years it often happens that it dries up in the the same time by evaporation and evapotranspira- summer. Depending on the amount of water that the tion, the lake level is subject to fluctuations which in lake nourishes with and the amount that it loses at extreme cases may be higher. This means that during

Figure 7. Slano Kopovo basin filled with water Photo: L.Lazić

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net 9 the year when the water balance is positive, that is, Kopovo - Sandorfalva), and especially in the Spe- when the water receive is greater than the loss, there cial Nature Reserve Slano Kopovo (RAMSAR, IBA), is a transgression of the lake - a positive movement of which as one specific biodiversity center is one of the coastline. Otherwise, when the water balance is the most important ecotourism destinations in Ser- negative, a regression occurs i.e. negative movement bia. Also, this area represents one of the most im- of the coastline and reduction of lake surface. This portant and most distinctive bird habitats in Serbia. phenomenon has been increasingly present lately. Saltwater is also a representative example of saline That is why it occurs that Slano Kopovo dries almost habitats that are on the verge of disappearing com- every year, whereas earlier it only happened occa- pletely. Slano Kopovo is also a representative exam- sionally. It also happens that the lake dries up already ple of saline habitats that are on the verge of disap- in June or May, which hasn’t happened before. These pearing completely. Also, this area represents one of fluctuations are also reflected in the dimensions of the most important and most distinctive bird habi- the lake: length, width, depth, length of the coast- tats in Serbia. Its value lies in the nesting of species line and surface. The most pronounced movement of not typical of the Pannonian Plain, but of the Pon- the coastline is in the parts to which Slano Kopovo is tic-Caspian salt pans and see shores, as well as the the shallowest, and that is in the direction of the east, fact that it is a unique migratory station for certain south-east and north-west. Water level dynamics is migratory bird species. Slano Kopovo is especially one of the most important factors influencing the liv- suitable for cranes, ducks, geese, waders. ing world, primarily birds and plants. In the area of the Slano Kopovo some specif- According to the opinion of D. Bugarski (1995), one ic salty communities occur Thero - Salicornietea of the main reasons for the lack of water mass is the that, not only in Serbia but in the whole of the Pan- lowering of the phreatic aquifers, one of significant nonian Plain, is in the stage of extinction. Stamp sources of feeding the lake, which occurred after dig- to Slano Kopovo is given by the dominant halofit ging Kikindski channels and especially channels Ba- (salty) vegetation that is tied to alluvial lands and nat Palanka - Novi Bečej. In addition to the aforemen- made of succulent, and to a lesser extent semi-suc- tioned factors, S. B. Marković and associates (1998) culent halophytes and belongs to the type of the propose that reduction of the amount of water in the original vegetation that had already disappeared lake is affected by the precipitation deficit for several from much of the Pannonian area. Many plant spe- consecutive years. This lake is very specific due to the cies that are characteristic of this type of vegetation extremely high salinity. Its drying up during the sum- are now rarities, and are protected by law. The char- mer at the bottom of the basin causes the formation of acteristics of micro-and meso-relief, as well as in- a layer of salt that has a thickness of a few centimeters. teractive effects of soil moisture and salinity, were At the edges of the bottom of the basin of the large reflected in the nature of a series of ecological com- lake, due to the low slope, large areas of the bottom munities and the formation of floristic composition. are indicated as soon as the water level decreases. At Plant species of Slano Kopovo are mostly one the deepest places, at maximum water levels, the wa- year old succulent halophytes. There are four com- ter depth does not exceed 1.2 m. Typically, the depth is munities that can be distinguished here, which give 0.70 m and does not exceed 0.20 m in most of the ba- to the area a distinctive and different look from the sin. When the water level in the aquatorium decreases, a whitish scramble of flowering salts is caught at its edges, which is visible from afar and gives a seal to this locality in the fall. The high salinity of the soil is the cause of the higher salinity of the lake water. Spe- cifically, atmospheric water dissolves salt from the soil, and then this salt water flows into the lake. Water mostly contains sodium chloride and sodium sulfate.

Flora and fauna Flora and fauna, habitats and ecosystems, represent one of the basic benefits in the development of eco- Figure 8. Panonian seepweed (Suaeda pannonica) tourism of a cross-border tourist destination (Slano Photo: L.Lazić

10 Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net environment. The type Panonian seepweed Suaeda( pannonica) is the Pannonian endemic species and is found in the Red Book of Flora of Serbia, together with Sarcocornia (Salicornia europaea), a critical- ly endangered species which in Serbia grows only in Slano Kopovo, where a certain number of years of drought hampered by a lack of water, is the law protected natural rarity. In the flora of Slano Kopo- vo recorded and Schwarzenberg plantain (Plantago schwarzenbergiana), which is endemic to the global Red List of plants and is included in the Serbian list of species with international importance for the conservation of global biodiversity. Slano Kopovo is , on a permanent or occasional basis, a habitat for a large number of animal species and their living comunities. Only among birds, up to now, has been recorded over 210 species (63% of known species in Vojvodina), while among mammals showed the presence of about 25 species. At the World Red List of Threatened species are the following types of birds that temporarily or permanent- ly reside in the Slano Kopovo: imperial billed snipe (Numenius tenuirostris), a small white-fronted goose (Anser erytropus), red-breasted goose (Branta Figure 9. Glasswort (Salicornia europaea) ruficollis), ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca), white- Photo: L.Lazić headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala), an eagle (Aq-

Figure 10. Coastal vegetation with alkali bulrush Photo: L. Lazić

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net 11 Figure 11. The ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca) Photo: G.Farkaš

Figure 13. The gray heron (Ardea cinerea) Photo: G.Farkaš

Figure 12. The slender-billed curlew (Numenius tenuirostris) Figure 14. The white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) Photo: G.Farkaš Photo: G.Farkaš

12 Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net Figure 15. The flock of cranes Grus( grus) Photo: G.Farkaš

Figure 16. Special Nature Reserve Slano Kopovo- borders and protection regimes

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net 13 uila heliaca) lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni), crake that is squirrel (Citellus citellus), which is located on (Crex crex), great bustard (Otis tarda), pygmy cor- the Red List of mammals of the world by the IUCN. morant (Phalacrocorax pygmaeus), white-tailed ea- By a decree of the Government of the Republic of gle (Haliaeetus albicilla). Serbia (Official Gazette No. 74/01), in 2001 a Special Special Nature Reserve Slano Kopovo is extreme- Nature Reserve “Slano Kopovo” was declared, on an ly important for bird watching activities of ecotour- area of 976.44 ha. The reserve is divided into three ism, as it ensures the survival of tens of thousands levels of protection: Level I - 217 ha, with the strict- of wetland birds during migration and reproduc- est restrictions, Level II - 220 ha and Level III - 539 tion. Up to 20,000 specimens of various aquatic ha. Manager of the protected natural good is Hunt- bird species regularly land in a single day in vast ex- ing Association Novi Bečej. panses of water and surrounding fields and lands, in periods of most intensive bird passing. Geese, ducks, waders, herons and predators, which in this Soil characteristics part of Vojvodina traditionally gather in autumn The territory of the municipality of Novi Bečej cov- and occasionally winter in flocks, are especially dis- ers diverse types and sub types of soil characteristic tinguished by their abundance. for Banat Potisje. Therefore, a great variety of soil is The trademark of tourism in Novi Bečej is the present in the terrain, as well as a strong intermix- crane (Grus grus), thanks to Slano Kopovo. Large ing of certain types of soil. In addition to the gener- flocks of cranes are a common sight during their al, the formation of the surface soil of this area was migration gathering in Vojvodina. For this reason, also influenced by local factors. Slano Kopovo is of invaluable importance for the This is especially noticeable in the area of the Spe- conservation of the breeding population from the cial Nature Reserve of Slano Kopovo, where, due to north, as well as the possibility of resettlement of the special circumstances and the interplay of geolog- southern habitats where this species once nested. ical, climatic and hydrological characteristics, saline During the autumn migration, it is estimated that soils formed. The basic prerequisites for the forma- over 15,000 birds pass through the Slano Kopovo for tion of saline soil are: adequate quantity and quality some rest, which depends primarily on the climat- of salt, geologically waterproof layers and continen- ic conditions. Birds are kept for days in depressions tal climate - wet winter and spring followed by warm and fields in the wider area, sometimes even 4-5 and dry summer and autumn. Periodic filling with km away from the Slano Kopovo, where their main water and regular surface drying are characteristic feeding grounds are located. At dusk all the cranes due to extreme changes during dry and wet periods. in groups return to the Slano Kopovo for the night. The semi-arid period in the late summer and ear- Fauna of the mammals (Mammalia) is also one ly autumn is caused by great evaporation, so ground- of the main natural resources of Slano Kopovo. This water rises by capillary forces from the depths, pulling area is characterized by the presence of 25 species of these washed salts into the upper soil horizons as well. mammals from the orders of Insectivora, Lagomor- As the semi-arid period passes away, more and more pha, Rodentia, Carnivora and Artiodactyla, taking salt is deposited in the upper soil layer. By evaporat- into account that the species of the order Chirop- ing these waters on the surface of the earth, the excess tera are not specifically researched and included. salt remains and crystallizes in the form of a film or Most mammal species registered in this area belong dust (“salt flowering”). In late fall and winter, this salt to the group of natural rarities and are protected is diluted by precipitation, increasing relative humid- by law. On the northern coast on the higher shores, ity and increasing groundwater levels, and again par- in the saline pastures certainly the most important tially sinking into depth. In this way, a periodic pro- representative of mammals in the area ground, and cess of flowering and washing of the salt is established.

Sandorfalva

In order to reach Sandorfalva, it is necessary to pass Natura 2000 area. This area, due to its heterogeneity, through the nature reserve, which gives to the town was protected in 1976 and includes the flood plains great tourist potential. Part of the Kiskunsag Na- and the cut off meander of the Tisa River east of tional Park is represented here in the Pustaser Pro- Sandorfalva, as well as the White Lake on the south tected Landscape Area, which also belongs to the side, which natural value was recognized as ear-

14 Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net Figure 17, 18 i 19. The shores of Lake Nadas Photo: L.Lazić

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net 15 Figure 20. Romantic twilight at Lake Nadas Photo: J.Török

Figure 21. The foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis L) Figure 22. Pannonian salt pepper wort Source: http://intermountainbiota.org (Lepidium crassifolium) Source: https://sr.wikipedia.org

16 Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net Figure 23. The black-crowned night Figure 24. The black-headed gull Figure 25. The gray heron heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) (Ardea cinerea) Photo: F.Szabó Photo: F.Szabó Photo: F.Szabó ly as 1939 when protected. Due to its priceless his- Geomorphologic torical and cultural values, it is one of the most fa- and hydrological characteristics mous tourist areas in the country. Of course, we The shaping of the whole area began during the cannot miss Lake Nadas on the north side, which Tertiary and Quaternary with the fluvial erosion completes the abundance of water that surrounds and accumulation of the Danube and the Tisa. The the town. Today, Lake Nadas is known for swim- regulation of the Tisa, shortening its course in the ming and fishing, but also as the place where pri- mid-19th century, resulted in the rise of groundwa- meval nature covers part of the water surface and ter levels and the formation of temporary and per- the coast. manent ponds and lakes. Pedological, botanical and zoological studies have shown that alkaline (saline) soils with specific biocenosis are formed in this region, as a result to such natural conditions.

Figure 20. A flock of storks in the alluvial plane Photo: J.Török

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net 17 Figure 27. A flock of cranes near Sandorfalva Photo: J.Török Climatic characteristics About 280 bird species are recorded in this area Sandorfalva is located in an area of continental today. The muddy bottom of periodically drained moderate climate with pronounced continental el- ponds provides feeding and resting opportunities for ements. The average annual air temperature here a large bird population. In winter, this area is home is about 10.5 °C. The coldest month, on a perennial to wild geese and wild ducks, and in the spring the average, is January (-0.8 °C), with July and August lapwing (Charadriidae), godwit (Limosa limosa) and being the warmest (20.8 °C). The area around San- ruff Calidris( pugnax) return to the drained basins dorfalva receives an average of 510 mm of atmos- of the water basins, when the nesting period is also pheric precipitate per year. On a perennial average, present. Then the reeds are inhabited by the reed the rainiest month is June (about 75 mm) and July warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus), the sedge warbler (about 60 mm), while the least rainfall is in Janu- (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus), the great reed war- ary and February (about 25 mm). The average an- bler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) and the bluethroat nual value of insolation in municipality is almost (Luscinia svecica). Large heron colonies are also char- 2,000 hours. acteristic - gray heron (Ardea cinerea), the great egret (Egretta alba), the squacco heron (Ardeola ralloides), purple heron (Ardea purprea) and the little bittern Flora and fauna (Ixobrychus minutus). Its nests are also buoyed by In wet parts of the alkaline soils, we will find char- the northern shoveler (Anas clypeata), the common acteristic plant species: meadow foxtail (Alopecu- pochard (Aythya ferina), the water rail (Rallus aquat- ruspratensis L.), wormwood (Artemisia), salt grass icus) and the common moorhen (Gallinula chloro- (Puccinellia limosa), camphorica (Camphorosma pus). In the fall, thousands of wild geese and ducks annua) and pepper wort (Lepidium crassifolium). return here in mid-October, as well as a large number of cranes (Grus grus).

18 Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net Cultural and historical values

Municipality Novi Bečej

Architectural cultural goods Schlesinger Palace, Novi Bečej. At No. 1 Marsala Tita street, on the street regulation line, is a lavish, one-story, neo-baroque building known as Schles- inger Palace. This is certainly one of the most beautiful buildings in Novi Becej. To that contributes and the richly divided central avant-corps, which ends with a high attic, baroque, curved. The building is protected as a cultural monument. It was renovated in 2009. The building of the rectory. At No. 2 Marsa- la Tita street is the building of parish palace of a Roman Catholic church dating from the mid-19th century. This ground floor house has been retracted from the street regulation line where the fence is located. It is built in Baroque style. The street facade is accentuated by two lateral avant-corps rustically shaped in cuboids. There are two windows connect- ed by plaster decoration in the bifora. In the central part of the facade are five windows surmount with triangular tympanum. Harkovski Institute, Novi Bečej. Harkovs- ki institute is located at No. 5 Marsala Tita street. The building was erected in 1909 in the Art Nou- veau style. After the October Revolution, Harkovs- ki institute - Russian High School for Women with boarding school was housed here in 1920. Since 1922, it has become an eight-year high school with grad- uation. When the Great Agricultural Crisis arose, Figure 28. Schlesinger Palace, Novi Bečej the Harkovski institute was relocated to Bela crk- Photo: L.Lazić va in 1931. At that time, about 40 Russian families left from Novi Bečej. This striking one-storey build- old one, where the Tiski Cvet Hotel is today, could no ing has preserved its original appearance to this day longer meet the needs. Until 1919, classes were taught with minor alterations and is a strong testimony to in Hungarian, after which Serbian was introduced. historical events in the first decades of the 20th cen- The school building is the most representative build- tury. ing of the old town center of Novi Bečej. It is not on Comprehensive school with gymnasium, Novi the street regulation line because the fence was once Bečej. The next building of impressive dimensions is there, which was subsequently removed. The facade the former Comprehensive school with gymnasium is richly decorated with plaster decoration consist- (Marsala Tita street no. 6). It was built in 1910 in the ing of split wreaths, pilasters, curved gables and oth- Art Nouveau style. A year later, the municipality pur- er details. There are two entrances on the main fa- chased a plot to build a school building because the cade and one on the side.

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net 19 Figure 29. The building of the rectory, Novi Bečej Photo: L.Lazić Grain store, Novi Bečej. The grain store has been the Tisa armband, in Tisa. The grain store consists a cultural monument since 2001 and is one of the of ground floor, first floor and attic. The entire- mez oldest preserved buildings in Novi Bečej and one of zanine and roof structure are wooden. The roof is several preserved buildings of this type in Vojvodi- four-row and covered with concrete flat roof tiles. na. It was erected between 1778 and 1780, as a mas- Within the store house itself are preserved: pillars, sive, one-story building, with an elongated rectan- beams, bowsprits, collar beam, floors, stairs, and gular base, at the former mouth of the Mali Begej, fences. The original grain storage and preserving

Figure 30. Harkovski Institute, Novi Bečej Photo: L.Lazić

20 Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net Figure 31. Comprehensive school with gymnasium, Novi Bečej Photo: L.Lazić function has been preserved to this day. Preserved Castle Karačonji / Manor house, Novo Miloševo. to date, it is significant as an object of technical cul- The castle was built in 1857 by Lajoš Karačonji to have ture and a testament to the former way of storing it in his property in Beodra. He first raised a Roman and preserving grain. Unfortunately, sad stories Catholic church and the family chapel in Beodra, or- are also associated with this warehouse, as it was ganized the settlement of the Hungarian population the last habitat of seven hundred North Banat Jews, and built a castle. It was built as a representative res- from where they had left to die. It is planned to erect idential building, which, with its spatial disposition, a memorial plaque on this building so that their volume and architectural design dominates the spa- casualties are not forgotten. cious park. Architecturally it was designed to be con- sistently built in classical style. Elongated rectangular

Figure 32. Grain store, Novi Bečej Photo: L.Lazić

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net 21 Figure 33. Castle Karačonji / Manor house, Novo Miloševo Photo: L.Lazić

building has a ground floor and first floor, covering in the secession style which is today known as the an area of 3,000 m2. This castle is one of the largest Bajić castle. Baron Milos Bajic was an excellent diplo- castles in Vojvodina. In the immediate vicinity of the mat of Miloš Obrenović, known as a great maecenas castle, in the estate, there are additional economic and benefactor. The castle building consisted of sev- buildings: stables, warehouses, stables and servants’ eral rooms, a ball room, a bathroom, a kitchen in the department, together with the main building of the basement and a swimming pool, which is still pre- castle are architectural stylish and unique and well served today. The castle has the status of a significant balanced complex. Castle Karačonji was placed un- cultural good under previous protection since 1995. der the protection of the State on 12th of September Castle Hertelendi (Bayer) –this is a ground floor in 1968 as a cultural monument of great importance, building with a П-shaped base with longer lateral but it is not open to the visitors. Decision on the pro- annexes. In its base, the building was designed in se- tection also includes the following facilities: a large cession and the design of the castle was subordinat- grain store, a corn granary, winter-stall stables, ma- ed to the features of the ruling eclectic style from the chine shop, office building and all ground floor of the beginning of the 20th century. The park is partial- building in the palace complex. Castle is surrounded ly preserved, and within the facility there are several by two large parks - in front by the French park, and service buildings, one of which stands out in the low- English behind. In English park is nowadays possi- er part of the plot. The castle had 17 rooms and utility ble to find the remnants of sculptures, monuments, rooms. This castle has also been registered as monu- flower pots and vases. ment of cultural under previous protection since 1995. Castles Bajić (Ognjanović) and Hertelen- di (Bayer), Bočar. In 1803 sipahi Jožef Hertelendi bought the village Bočar and the castle of Telegdi- Religious cultural goods jev from the fourteenth century. He built another Small orthodox church - Monastery, (Serbian Or- castle in the settlement around 1820. After his death, thodox Monastery of the Assumption of the Vir- the estate was split between his three sons Ignjac, gin chapel) The cultural heritage of great importance. Miksha and Karolj. At the end of the 19th century, On the left bank of the Tisa River, next to prome- his estate was bought by the brewer baron Ivan Bajić nade and not far from the center of Novi Bečej. The and Alojz Bayer (whose family came from the Ro- present church-monastery was built in 1741/42 in manian Banat). Bayer took the new Ignjac’s castle, the same place where the monastery was destroyed. and the old Telegdi’s castle was taken by Ivan Bajic. Around the monastery was a cemetery, which is still Castle Bajić -Older son of Ivan Bajić, Miloš Bajić evidenced today by monuments. destroyed the old castle and at the beginning of 20th Serbian Orthodox Church of St. Nikola – The century on the same place built the new residence cultural heritage of great importance in Vojvodina

22 Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net Figure 34. Small orthodox church - Monastery, Novi Bečej Photo: L.Lazić

– II category. According to the first Yearbook of the Diocese of Timisoara in 1897, it was built in the period from 1792 up to 1796. This church in Novi Bečej is dedicated to St. Nicholas. It was erected as a single-nave structure, ending with a five-sided altar apse and with a typical multi-storey baroque bell tower, with a tin pillow, lantern and cross. The iconostasis with an abundance of carved plant decoration bears about forty displays of standing figures of saints and church holidays, which are thought to have been painted in 1814 by Stefan Gavrilović. One of the first representatives of Serbian romanti- cism, Pavle Simić, painted wall paintings in 1858 on the arches of altars and naos. A number of valuable worship objects are kept in the church, and the icon of the Virgin with Christ deserves special attention. The Roman Catholic Church of St. Clare of As- sisi – Catholics in Novi Bečej have built their first church, in 1747 and dedicated to St. Vendel. Since it was mainly of earth, it collapsed itself in 1800. In its place was built a new church, between 1804 and 1809. The exterior is done in the Baroque style and the interior of the Eclectic style with elements of Gothic, Baroque and Hungarian secession. This is a single-nave building located along street alignment line. From the front rises a massive bell tower. The windows are stained glass. The main altar is richly Figure 35. Serbian Orthodox Church of St . Nikola, decorated. Particularly noteworthy is the image of Novi Bečej St. Clare of Assisi, made in Vienna. On one side of Photo: L.Lazić

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net 23 Figure 36. The Roman Catholic Church of St . Clare of Assisi, Novi Bečej Photo: L.Lazić

Figure 37. Serbian Orthodox Church of St John the Baptist, Vranjevo, Vranjevo Photo: L.Lazić

24 Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net the altar is an image of St. Vendel. Other side altar is dedicated to St. Nikola. In addition to these images in the church there are two paintings, oil paintings of the famous Hungarian painter Karolj Šef (Schöff Károly). Ceiling of the church was painted in 1961 with four images: the birth of Christ, the Crucifix- ion, the Resurrection and the Holy Trinity. Serbian Orthodox Church of St John the Bap- tist, Vranjevo - The cultural heritage of great importance in Vojvodina - II category. Church of St John the Baptist (Josifa Marinkovića street, no. 63) is monumental single-nave building with a tower of 44 m height. It was built in Biedermeier style. Ac- cording to the records and old church books, there was a small church in Vranjevo in 1750. in the place where the present church was erected in 1807. The interior of the church is richly decorated, warm colour decoration with taste and wall paintings of delicate colors, as well as the iconostasis of classi- cist architecture Biedermeier carving and painting contribute to it. The iconostasis and paintings on the walls of the church were painted by Jeftimije Popović between 1834 and 1836. The icons are painted on copper and wood made in the second half of the eighteenth century show a very solid knowledge of transitional style masters. The tower on the church was erected in the period 1858-1861. The Figure 38. Serbian Orthodox Church of St . Steven church was renovated and the choir erected in 1903. Archdeacon, Novo Miloševo Serbian Orthodox Church of St. Steven Arch- Photo: L.Lazić deacon, Novo Miloševo (Beodra) – significant cultural good. This temple was erected in 1874 as a sub- stitute for the church erected in 1758. The church is a single-nave structure, situated by its western facade on the street’s regulation line. The church is of simple decoration, without special stylistic features. According to recent research, the iconostasis in the Orthodox Church in Beodra is attributed to The- odore Popovic, the iconographer of the Viennese painting family Popovic. In this work, he proves to be a creator of great importance and role in the development of painting art in Serbs, especially in the eighteenth century on the territory of Vojvodina. The iconostasis was painted in 1778. The inscription on this and on the transfer of the iconostasis from the old church to this present one, in 1874, as well as to its restoration in 1904, is affixed to a cartouche on the imperial door. Serbian Orthodox Church of the Holy Archan- gel Gabriel, Novo Miloševo (Karlovo) – The cultural heritage of great importance in Vojvodina –II Figure 39. Serbian Orthodox Church of the Holy category. Later inhabited, and at first time less eco- Archangel Gabriel, Novo Miloševo nomically strong, citizens of Karlovo built the first Photo: L.Lazić

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net 25 Figure 40. The Roman Catholic Church of St . Mary Magdalene, Novo Miloševo Photo: L.Lazić

church of earth in 1756 in the original center of the jos Karaconji between 1838–41 built a parish church, village. It was not until 1842 that they completed the which still exists today and is one of the largest in new church of hard materials, among the largest in the area. The church is imposing in size, and unlike Banat - this church was built by the people and the other churches in the area, it has two towers. Some church in Beodra was built by the rich. After the features of the church indicate that the church was completion of the church, the creation of iconosta- designed by the architect who has worked else- sis began. Among the interested painters was Đura where in Banat. Attention is also paid to the interi- Jakšić, whose father Dionisije was born in Karlovo, or of the church. Its main nave consists of a row of where he was a priest at one time. He submitted as a Czech caps that cover the altar. sample the icon “Christ Raises from the Dead Jair’s Serbian Orthodox Church of St. Archangels Daughter”, but rural community opted for the bet- Michael and Gabriel, Kumane – Cultural heritage ter known Nikola Aleksić at the time. Aleksić made of great importance in Vojvodina - II category. The the iconostasis in 1855, as well as the arch over the church in Kumane was built between 1822 and 1832. soleas. On the iconostasis the extraordinarily subtly It is a one-nave structure with a bell tower on the painted throne icon of Archangel Gabriel immedi- west facade, rising from the frontage of the facade. ately catches the eye. It is claimed to have been ex- In the solution of the base and the decoration shap- hibited at the Millennium Exhibition in Budapest ing, the object bears the features of classicism. Icon- in 1896, as well as at the Louvre in 1897. ostasis and wall paintings are the work of Nikola The Roman Catholic Church of St. Mary Mag- Aleksić from 1854. The altar partition represents a dalene, Novo Miloševo (Beodra) – The parish beautiful entity with its constructive solution, and church also fits into the world of Beodra castles and especially the coloristic one. Classicism is empha- manor buildings. The temple is located near the cas- sized in iconostasis architecture, carved decorative tle of Lajoš Karačonji. The Karačonji family estab- motifs are plant stylizations. From the same time lished a chaplain service in Beodra in 1796, which in are the Virgin and Archpriest’s throne, the choir 1832 grew into a parish. The bestowers Laslo and La- formwork and the singing tables.

26 Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net Serbian Orthodox Church of Archangel Ga- briel, Bočar – Cultural heritage of great importance in Vojvodina - II category. The present temple was erected in the most beautiful place, on a hill, in the center of the village. As the year that was built is accepted to be in 1814. The architecture of the church belongs to classicism with Baroque elements, which are especially noticeable on the facade decoration and door carpentry. The iconostasis for the new temple was bought by the church municipality Bočar from the church municipality in Vran- jevo (Novi Bečej) in 1826 for 509 forints. The carved iconostasis is the work of an unknown master from the second half of the eighteenth century, made in baroque-rokaj ornaments - a golden background with floral ornaments. The icons on this overcom- posed iconostasis are the work of Dimitrije Popović from the seventh decade of the eighteenth century.

Archeological cultural goods Prehistory. The oldest traces of human life in the territory of Novi Bečej municipality date from the early Neolithic period. The first inhabitants settled this area in the 7th millennium BC. At the same time, they are the first farmers, colonists from Asia Minor. We call them the carriers of the Starčevo- Figure 41. Serbian Orthodox Church of St . Archangels Kereš cultural complex. Thousands of years lat- Michael and Gabriel, Kumane Photo: L.Lazić

Figure 42. Serbian Orthodox Church of Archangel Gabriel, Bočar Photo: L.Lazić

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net 27 er, the carriers of Vinča and Potiska culture settled The fortress in Novi Bečej, also known as the here. These two developed Neolithic cultures are in Bečej Fortress, has been briefly researched and we contact and pervading in this area. know from these results that it was built in the 13th Copper Age - Indo-European Migration (4,000- century. It was erected by the crusaders of the Sze- 2,000 BC). From the southeast of Europe and from kesfehervar. The fortress at Tisa had an excellent the steppe regions comes a large movement of ethnic strategic position as a pier and later served as a cus- groups. These mogrations happened in waves, one af- toms house and bastion. ter another. The last wave of the migration took place At the end of the 15th century, the Bečej fortress at the end of this age and was led by the neimars of and its surroundings were occupied by the Turks. the great mouns, which significantly changed the re- During 1551, the fortress fell into Turkish hands and lief of Banat and parts of Bačka. was conquered by Sokollu Mehmed Pasha. Bečej be- Bronze Age (2,000-950 BC). The natives of these comes artisan and trade center. He was described regions were also in touch with this developed cul- personally by Turkish travel writer Evli Čelebi. ture, as evidenced by the hand scales from Borđoš. In the same period, not far from the Bečej Fortress, From that period, on the territory of Novi Bečej, there was another small town with a fortress, Gal- we know the settlements: Borđoš, Kumane, Prečka, ad-grad. This place is associated with the legends of Pumping station near Kumane, Matejski brod, Ga- Prince Glad/ Galad, who built a large earthen fort here rajevac, Šimuđska strana, Novo Miloševo-Mali with walls as early as the 9th century. The city was Akač. conquered by the Turks in 1551. It was later demolished The Iron Age (950-200 BC). There are very few and ceased to be mentioned in sources. According to known sites on the territory of Novi Bečej from the the decisions of the Peace of Karlowitz, all the fortifi- Iron Age and they are concentrated mainly around cations on the Tisa were destroyed. Thus both fortress- Borđoš. es were destroyed. After the expulsion of the Turks in Roman domination (1-6th century). At the be- 1717, Novi Bečej was rebuilt on a site in the immediate ginning of a new era, Roman legions occupied Srem vicinity of Tisa around a small monastery church and with a border on the right bank of the Danube. In began to use the name Turkish Bečej. addition to the Dacians, the Sarmatian tribes occupied the largest area in Bačka and Banat, which settled these areas, coming from the Black Sea steppes. Museum settings The Great Migration Period (375-800). The great The house where Vladimir Glavas was born - Vran- migration of people began in the end of 4th centu- jevo, Novi Bečej. At Josifa Marinkovića street, no. 69 ry. In our area, these great movements and turbu- is a residential building where Vladimir Glavas, a na- lent times lasted a little longer, and ended after the tional benefactor, was born. The house was built in the collapse of the Avar khaganate. Among the numer- first half of the 19th century. The owner bequeathed ous tribes that lived in the territory of Vojvodina, the building to the church. This ground floor build- and in the territory of Novi Bečej municipality, during has a rectangular base. It is architecturally de- ing the Great Migration, the largest population that signed in the Biedermeier style and represent an ex- remained here for the longest was the Avars. They ample of a richer civic home. The house of Vladimir were often joined by Slavic tribes. Glavas is protected as a cultural monument of great The Middle Ages (800-1771). After the fall of the importance. It was renovated in 2009, when it was giv- second Avar khaganate, the Slavs and the part of en a new function - the Heritage Museum. It is repre- the remaining surviving population in our region sents a treasure of memories and town’s tradition in remained on the hearths. During the 10th century, just a few rooms. The first of these is a gallery of photo- the newly arrived Hungarian population (medieval graphs from the late 19th and early 20th centuries that name Ungri) united with other Hungarian tribes introduces us to the life of the time. The second is me- under Geza Arpad. From these earliest periods of morial room dedicated to the famous composer Josif early-Hungarian settlement, we have archeological Marinkovic, who was born in Vranjevo. Among the evidence at the sites of Matejski Brod and Borđos. many items here you can see the invitation for the ball Based on previous research in the territory of from 1910. In the remaining rooms is a set of furni- Novi Bečej, there were two medieval fortresses. The ture that exudes the warmth of a beautifully decorated foundations of one are located in Novi Bečej, and home in the style of Biedermeier. That is the way of liv- the foundations of the other in Novo Miloševo. ing it used to be. Finally, it should also be mentioned

28 Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net Figure 43. The house where Vladimir Glavas was born - Vranjevo, Novi Bečej Photo: L.Lazić that Jovan Jovanović Zmaj, Svetozar Miletić and Đura this is an ethnological museum with about 4,000 Jakšić here came to visit Glavaš. exhibits. The visitors now have three rooms avail- Museum “Kotarka” Novo Miloševo. This mu- able in Kotarka. In the first room urban construc- seum is located in the former kotarka (barn / ko- tion history of Novo Miloševo is displayed, as well tobanja / blockhouse / basket) built in 1834. Today as Karačonji family history . The second room is

Figure 44. Museum “Kotarka” Novo Miloševo Photo: L.Lazić

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net 29 dedicated to the development and presentation of textile handicrafts and furniture. The third room is dedicated to the guest (front or “clean” room) with a numerous items that are there to bring back the past and recreate the life of wealthy families from the end of the nineteenth century to visitors. Museum „Žeravica“, Novo Miloševo. As part of the „Bosch Diesel Center Žeravica“ in Novi Miloševo, there is a collection of tractors, steam and agricultural machines, craft workshops, equipment and household appliances. The collected tractors were first -ex hibited to the public in 1991 as a permanent setting in a purpose-built facility. After that, the upgrading of Figure 45. Museum „Žeravica“, Novo Miloševo the accommodation facilities was continued, so that Photo: L.Lazić today most of the collection is located in an exhibi- full glory. The base of the church and spatial arrange- tion hall with an area of over 1,600m2. The museum ment are characteristic for Benedictine sanctuaries exhibit is consisted of several parts that display sev- of the early Gothic style. Marble, carved stone, sand- eral thousand exhibits. One can look at the technical stone and brick, as the materials of which it was built, development of the economy over almost three cen- testify to the monumentality that was sought. Nu- turies in this part of Europe situated in three con- merous decorations can still be seen on this building, nected halls and in an open showroom. Some ex- most notably the large rosette on the west façade, pi- hibits and collections represent rarities and can be lasters and blind arcades. Arača has been researched classified as more important specimens in this part on several occasions and thanks to that we know its of Europe. The most important place is occupied by history better. As early as 1879, a tombstone was dis- a collection of tractors, numbering over 140 copies. covered showing the saints and donors, most likely Within the Žeravica Museum is a valuable ethnolog- dating from the 11th century. Finally, anyone who, af- ical object - a long-standing farmhouse, which was ter endless and endless field trips, discovers the walls built at the end of the 19th century. There is a valu- of the Arača and walks around them will be able to able ethnological object - a long village house, built boast about discovering one of the most beautiful at the end of the 19th century. The house has kept its buildings in Potisje. authentic appearance from the time of construction, and in it is planned to become a place of exhibit dedicated to the Popov family from which Dušan Pop- ov came from - celebrated, allegedly, according to whom the character of James Bond was created.

Other cultural goods Basilica Arača – cultural property of great importance. The ruins of a Benedictine monastery near Novo Miloševo (formerly Beodra) are the historical and cultural monument of great importance - the only one of importance in the Municipality of Novi Bečej. Historical data indicates that the current remains of the Romanesque basilica date back from 1228. It was built on the site where, between 9th and 10th century, there was a church, which was decorated with a pre-Romanesque stone sculpture. It is an assumption that Queen Jelena Anžujska rebuilt the church in 1370 and that on this occasion the Goth- ic tower was built over the northern apse. Although Figure 46. Basilica Arača in ruins, the remains of Arača witness to times of its Photo: L.Lazić

30 Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net Figure 47. Basilica Arača Photo: L.Lazić Sandorfalva

In the category of material cultural heritage included in the settlement depository includes: the Ro- man Catholic Church of the Virgin Mary, the Re- formed Church, the Budai Sandor Memorial House, the Pallavicini Castle and Castles, and the Pallavi- cini Family Tomb. Roman Catholic Church Name of Mary, San- dorfalva. Located in the heart of Liberty Square in the center of Sandorfalva. It was built thanking to donations by Count Pallavicini in 1882 in honor of the Virgin Mary, just two years after the settlement was founded. The main altar image of the church depicts the Virgin, while the others include bibli- cal figures and Hungarian saints. The sculptures on the calvary around the church were done by sculptor Bela Domonkos in 2002. Reformed Church, Sandorfalva. The population of the Protestant faith began to increase in Szeged in the mid-19th century. The organization of the Szeged Reformed Church into an independent parish was completed in 1859. Twenty years later, in 1882, the construction of the first reformed church in Szeged commenced, which, following the founding of Sandorfalva, was respon- sible for local believers. Before World War II, in 1938, a plot was allocated for the construction of Figure 48. Roman Catholic Church Name of Mary the Reformed Church in Sandorfalva. The temple, Photo: L.Lazić

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net 31 designed by architect Jene Sojko, was built and put into use in 1940. Budai Sandor Memorial House, Sandorfalva. It is located in a renovated residence house of a na- tionally renowned folk art heir and master of zither. An exhibition rooms with furniture from the period of its creation evokes the era of the master and displays his former home and workshop, with a strong emphasis on music and zither. A unique zither museum was created with exhibited tools and working desks used to make typical Hungarian folk instru- ments. An exhibition on the creation and past of a typical Hungarian folk instrument can be viewed only in this place in Hungary. Other rooms in San- dorfalva show visitors the history of the Budai San- dor Zither Orchestra for more than half a century. Pallavicini Castle and Castles, Sandorfalva. This castle is one of the oldest and most valuable buildings in Sandorfalva, dating from the foundation of the settlement. The Erdodi family owned the area as early as the early 18th century. They sold their property to the Pallavicini family in 1803. The Pallavicini castle was built in the years following the great flood of Szeged in 1879. After World War II, the space was Figure 49. Reformed Church, Sandorfalva nationalized, kindergarten and school were used lat- Photo: L.Lazić er. The building was renovated in 2010 with the pres-

Figure 50. Budai Sandor Memorial House, Sandorfalva Photo: L.Lazić

32 Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net Figure 51. Budai Sandor Memorial House – exhibition setting Photo: J.Török ervation of most of the original walled buildings falva is presented. Visitors can view the history of the and premises, with permanent and temporary ex- settlement presented through various documents, hibitions in its halls, in memory of the founding of pictures and descriptions. the town and its different traditions. In the Pallavi- cini hall, the permanent exhibition presents the living conditions of different rural communities be- Cultural and Historical Values near Sandorfalva fore 1945, while providing an insight into the history Opustaser National Heritage Park. North of Sandor- and everyday life of the Count’s family through con- falva there is a theme park located in the Pustaser Pro- temporary memorabilia, furniture and documents. tected Landscape Area. This is one of the holiest and This exhibition is unique of its kind, as it is a valua- most important historical sites in Hungary, one can ble detail of past times of the aristocracy of the Great even say that Opustaser is the cradle of the Hungari- Southern Plain and the people they employed. In the an state. According to Hungarian tradition, it was here Manor and Christoph Kelemen Castle (sculptor born that around 896, seven Hungarian tribes gathered un- in Sandorfalva) history and folk customs of Sandor- der the leadership of Arpad, codifying the common

Figure 52. Pallavicini Castle, Sandorfalva Photo: L.Lazić

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net 33 Figure 53. Erdők church, Opusztaser Izvor: https://sr.wikipedia.org laws of their new country. Therefore, today’s historic Pannonian Plain; Depiction of archeological excava- park is more than a tourist attraction. This memori- tions of a medieval monastery; Replicating the life in a al park has several attractions: it exhibits one of Eu- village with 15 reconstructed buildings from the inter- rope’s largest panoramic images, the Feszty Panora- war period and a visually appealing display of tradi- ma: The Arrival of the Conquering Hungarians in the tional Hungarian cavalry, including archery.

Figure 54. Sculptures at Liberty Square, Sandorfalva Photo: L.Lazić

34 Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net Material base

Novi Bečej

Hotel Tiski cvet 3* with restaurant available, not all rooms have a private bathroom. (Trg Oslobođenja 1) All rooms have central heating, cable TV, internet The three-star Tiski cvet Hotel is located in the cent- 25 Mb. It also has for guests a convection oven, grill, er of Novi Bečej along the banks of the Tisa Riv- cooking pot, vending machine for coffee. Also, dur- er. The hotel dates from 1985, but it was renovated ing nice days, guests can use the summer house for in 2010, so today it has a modern look and design. 30 people. Pension Azucki has 5 parking spaces in The capacity of the hotel is 90 beds in single, double, front of the property. During the summer months, triple rooms and suites. The hotel has 4 lux suites guests can use a boat for 6 to 8 people. In addition (mini bar, LCD TV, telephone, air conditioning) to the accommodation service, they also provide and 33 modern rooms. Each room has a plasma TV, guests with an 8-seat van transportation service, air conditioning, telephone. Rooms on the second both at home and abroad. You can find more infor- floor of the hotel also have elongated beds that are mation about this property at www.smestaj-azucki- suitable for accommodation of sportsmen. Wireless novibecej.com internet connection is available free of charge to all guests of the hotel. The Tiski cvet Hotel has two restaurant halls. The Private accommodation Dragić larger restaurant has a capacity of up to 300 seats, (Petra Drapšina 8a) which is suitable for larger celebrations (weddings, Since 2011, the Dragić family has opened the door of proms, anniversaries and other festivities), while their home to all visitors to Novi Bečej who would the other restaurant can accommodate 40 people in like to spend the night in a private household. It is a more intimate atmosphere. located in the center of Novi Bečej, across the sports Within the smaller restaurant there is a luxury, and recreation center “Jedinstvo” and the main bus separate booth for guests with special wishes, with station. This property has 4 rooms which are cat- a capacity of up to 10 people. In our restaurants, egorized with 1 star. Guests have at their dispos- guests can enjoy traditional Banat cuisine, grilled al a shared bathroom, central heating, air condi- dishes, top quality Tisa fish specialties with quali- tioning, refrigerator, beautiful yard with barbecue, ty wine “Krokan” and “Tiska perla” from Pearl Is- children’s playground and terrace. During the land. The Tiski cvet Hotel also has a wellness and season, guests together with the host can prepare spa center that offers to guests the following facili- jam, canned food for winter, or smoke meat in the ties: tepidarium, sauna, Turkish bath, kneipp bench, smokehouse. Parking is available in front of the and a relax program (Alpha oxy led light capsule, property in public parking or in the yard. oxygen capsule, massages)and other treatments).

Hostel “Stara vranjevačka opština” Private accommodation Azucki (Rajka Rakočevića 15) (Petra Drapšina 2a) This hostel is located in the protected area of the It is located in the center of Novi Bečej by the Riv- old town core, the former independent settlement er Tisa and the most beautiful quay / promenade Vranjevo, which is now an integral part of Novi in Vojvodina, 36 km from Zrenjanin and Kikinda Bečej. The hostel has 44 beds, arranged in 5 rooms. and 55 km from Novi Sad. The capacity of the fa- Each room has own bathroom. Guests also have at cility is 35 beds in 15 rooms. There are 13 bathrooms their disposal common rooms, such as a multifunc-

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net 35 tional room for various types of training, seminars Additional catering units and other professional meetings. Also, the space • Restaurant 11 plavih (Tiski kej) provides the opportunity to organize various cel- • Restaurant Tiska kuća (Tiski kej) ebrations, gathering up to 100 people. Guests can • Restaurant 11 plavih NS (Trg oslobođenja 1) rent bikes, park their vehicles safely under video • Fast food restaurant and bed and breakfast surveillance, and use the wireless internet service Garfield (Vuka Karadžića bb) for free. More information about this property can • Fast food restaurant Leskovački roštilj be found at www.novi-becej.travel (Maršala Tita 14) • Pizzeria Heisenberg (Maršala Tita 16)

Sandorfalva

Private accommodation Platán Camping site Lake Nádas (Szabadság tér 3) (Kővágó külterület 0384/6 hrsz.) In the south of Hungary, about 10 minutes car Lake Nádas is of artificial origin with several ba- ride from Szeged, there is a small town Sandorfal- sins that have different uses. One is strictly intend- va. Boarding house Platan is situated on the main ed for sport fishing (various competitions in sport square Szabadság tér 3. It offers to guests 8 mod- fishing are organized), the other lake is exclusively ern rooms, newly refurbished en-suite rooms with intended for swimming and recreation on the wa- quiet surrounding. All rooms are equipped with a ter (swimming, surfing and similar activities on the double-bed (extra large), TV set and WI-FI network. water). While the third lake is intended for the con- The yard is nice and tidy, with a large terrace suit- servation of wildlife (birds’ world and the like). able for socializing, barbecue and similar. There is Visitors of this lake can use public showers, lock- also a secured parking area in the yard as well as a er rooms, toilets, an outdoor gym, several fast food pet room. In the dining room, baby chairs, baby ta- restaurants, a playground for children, and simi- bles and even trampoline are available for the guest lar content for outdoor activities. Entrance to this of the house. camping site is charged, and is located just a few kilometers from the center of Sandorfalva.

Private accommodation with restaurant Megálló (Május 1 tér 1) Burger-king (Alkotmány krt. 2) On the road between Szeged and Ópusztaszer, there The Burger King in Sandorfalva is a fast food res- is Sandorfalva and the private accommodation i.e. taurant that has popular international food on the guesthouse with a restaurant named Megálló, suit- menu such as burgers, pancakes and pizzas of var- able for families with children as well as for field ious kinds. workers. Upstairs is a family suite with 4 beds and a bathroom. Furthermore, the guests also have upstairs 6 bedrooms with a total of 21 beds and shared Restaurant Street (Alkotmány krt. 14) bathrooms (2 in total). Each room has a fridge and The Street Restaurant in Sándorfalva features ex- a TV. There is also a private car park, while on the cellent and delicious food at very reasonable prices. ground floor there is a restaurant that serves and The menu offers both Hungarian specialties and -in pizzas. ternational cuisine.

36 Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net Market

ourism is one of the fastest growing econom- ural values in these areas are popularized thanks ic activities in the world, and the realized tour- to newly built visitor centers, marked educational Tism turnover on the global level is constantly trails and propaganda that has new outlines thanks increasing. Tourism is an activity sensitive to the to social networks. The consequence of such trends economic crisis, wars and terrorism, but even these has led to an increase in the number of visits to the phenomena have not curbed the progressive char- protected areas of Vojvodina, which has also influ- acter of tourism traffic. Tourism produces about enced the development of tourist offer in rural set- 10% of total global GDP and about 7% of total global tlements and their surroundings. exports. Tourism is especially important for less de- In line with such tendencies in tourism develop- veloped and developing countries, whose share in ment in the world, Europe and the region, the fol- the total revenue generated by tourism is increasing. lowing conclusions can be drawn regarding the Europe has an honorable place on the tour- market analysis for Slano Kopovo – Sandorfalva ist map of the world. Only about 7% of the world’s destination: land, occupying the Old Continent, does not pre- • the constant increase in tourism development vent Europe from generating more tourism turno- also enables the affirmation of destinations ver than all other continents do together. Six Euro- that have not been so well established and pean countries (including Turkey) are on the list of known so far, and as a phenomenon this trend ten most important countries in terms of interna- will continue in the future; tional tourism turnover in the world. • the promotion of less-known destinations is in What is important for the cross-border destina- strong connection to the development of infor- tion Slano Kopovo - Sandorfalva is that the trend in- mation technology, the Internet on the first place, dicates that the increase in tourism turnover is ac- and especially social networks, which will be of companied by an increase in demand for almost all great importance in the future for positioning; tourism products. Classical winter and summer holi- • products related to short vacations in small, days remain dominant in demand, but new products content, romantic destinations will be increas- are growing more than traditional products. Conti- ingly attractive, in line with the tendency for nental destinations are increasingly popular in Eu- individuals (tourists) to split their annual holi- rope, offering shorter vacations for both foreign and days into an increasing number of smaller and domestic tourists. Landscapes with preserved na- shorter trips; ture, protected areas and rural areas occupy a special • border areas are becoming more and more at- place here. In Europe, ecotourism is closely linked tractive tourist destinations and it is to be ex- to rural and nature-based tourism, so much that the pected that this trend is developing at the bor- boundary between them cannot be statistically clear- der of Hungary and Serbia; ly drawn. Environmental protection trends have also • awareness of the importance of protected ar- influenced European citizens to look more for prod- eas is also transmitted to the tourism market ucts that are environmentally friendly. For this rea- of Serbia, as evidenced by the increased inter- son, some European countries have made significant est in such areas, and in the context of tourism advances in the development of ecotourism, with the development (Status of the Reserve biosphere following being particularly prominent: Great Brit- Bačko Podunavlje, European Charter for Sus- ain, Germany, Sweden, Iceland. tainable Tourism of the EUROPARC Federa- Some protected areas of Vojvodina have under- tion for the Special Nature Reserve of Gorn- gone a significant transformation in the tourism je Podunavlje and Fruška Gora National Park; market of Serbia over the past 15-20 years - from un- activities of WWF Adria and the Institute for recognizability to successful little destinations. Nat- Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province).

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net 37 SWOT analysis

POTENTIAL INTERNAL STRENGHTS POTENTIAL INTERNAL WEAKNESSES

• The diversity and abundance of wildlife, • Variable water regime in the reserve, • Over 20,000 birds per day during the migration period, • Lack of knowledge of the local population about the • Endemic plant and animal species, possibilities of ecotourism, • Cognizability of the area in geographical terms, • Unclear strategic directions, • Rich cultural heritage . • Lack of managerial and qualification for adequate job, • Insufficient number of employed staff, • Poor coordination among stakeholders, • Poor market knowledge, • Ignorance of contemporary trends, • Absence of tourism development strategy, • Poor communication and willingness to cooperate in the development of tourism, • Undeveloped tourism infrastructure (tourist trails, info center, visitor center . ). .

POTENTIAL EXTERNAL OPPORTUNITIES POTENTIAL EXTERNAL THREATS

• Changing motives of travel (expansion of • Livestock, grazing of cattle and sheep, adventurousness, eco-tourism, trips to nature), • Agriculture, • Change in vacation use, • Chemical and solid waste pollution, • Introducing new markets or segments, • Reed ignition, • Increased interest in individual arrangements . • Illegal harvesting of medicinal herbs from the meadows of the reserve, • Poaching and theft of bird eggs .

38 Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net Strategic guidelines

Vision

Vision is the desired image of a space or destination tourism, so the destination is visited by the inhab- in the future, based on realistic foundations, as- itants of the surrounding countries. The locals are sumptions and contents, that is, a statement of what deeply integrated in tourism development and live one wants to achieve in the development of a space. in harmony with nature conservation activities, ag- According to the theme and content of the project riculture and tourism services. Sustainable tourism within which this strategy is created, the vision of is an important lever for the economic life of San- development can be viewed partially and integrated. dorfalva and its inhabitants.

Slano Kopovo Integrated vision Special Nature Reserve Slano Kopovo is one of the „Slano Kopovo“ and „Sandorfalva“ are wider and most famous eco-destinations among the protected regionally recognized tourist destinations, out- areas of Serbia, applying the principles of sustainable side their home countries, which have joint promo- tourism, especially ecotourism, which through edu- tion and propaganda and create a common tourism cation is based on the interpretation of natural phe- product. The locals, both destinations, are aware of nomena and processes (visitor center, interpretive their resources, are embracing tourism and see this panels, interaction of visitors and local population). activity as a stimulating factor in cross-border co- The specificity and uniqueness of the destination is operation. In these destinations, nature and people reflected in its landscape, thanks to the vast saline live in harmony, and a prosperous future is facilitat- soil that cannot be experienced in other protected ar- ed by a mutual desire for co-operation in the fields eas of Serbia in this way. The Special Nature Reserve of environment, the economy and especially sus- Slano Kopovo, with its surrounding settlements, is a tainable ecotourism. destination where nature and people live in harmony. The vision of tourism development must be based on the principles of sustainable tourism, which de- rive from the sustainable tourism policy. Respect- Lakes of Sandorfalva ing them should be a guarantee that the goals of The Lakes of Sandorfalva are a vibrant, dynamic sustainable tourism will be realized. This primarily and content tourist destination with tourism prod- refers to decision making in line with the aspiration uct segments simultaneously encompassing recre- for controlled development. The criteria and prin- ational and swimming activities, ecotourism (bird ciples most commonly used in sustainable tourism watching) and agro-tourism. The diversity of con- are: environmental sustainability, socio-cultural tents and potentials go beyond the scope of local sustainability and economic sustainability.

Image

Tourist destinations have a chance to become fa- therefore they must take care of environmental pro- mous if they have built a good image. The image tection, cleanliness, preservation and presentation of the destination is also a specific picture that is of cultural heritage, as well as many other topics. present on the market, on the basis of which poten- Joint destination Slano Kopovo - Sandorfalva tial tourists decide whether to travel there. The im- does not yet have a profiled image, despite the fact age is very important for emerging destinations and that each destination in the previous period has, at

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net 39 the national level, built a specific picture of itself el and in the function of education, a regulated and its image. Image building solutions should be destination, satisfaction of tourists), is a guar- sought in the good location of entire cross-border antee of quality that will make tourists happy region, by Potisje character of the area, the diversi- to return here in the future; ty of natural areas in small spaces (lakes, ponds, sa- • the tourism business has an understanding of line soils, steppes) and the multicultural and folk- environmental protection, including the pro- lore of the local population. Consistent presentation tection of nature and cultural monuments of these potentials should help better positioning in (tourism workers in tourism propaganda or the tourism market. Tourism propaganda can and some other way promote the activity of pro- must play a significant role in presenting new im- tecting nature and cultural monuments); age. At its center there must be a picture of the Slano • the safety of tourists is high, especially in plac- Kopovo and Sandorfalva as small romantic destina- es where sports and recreational activities are tions, which have a touristically organized natural performed (e.g. Lakes in Sandorfalva); and cultural landscape, a diverse cultural offer to • tourism products have the characteristic of in- which tourists are happy to return to. novative, contemporary and harmonized with Building the image of a common tourist destina- the capacity of the environment (modern in- tion is a challenging, complex and serious task, as teractive tourist information boards on nature, the destination is still at the beginning of tourism activities in the area, environmental educa- development and positioning. For a positive and at- tion, workshops that encourage the preserva- tractive image to be formed, the area of the destination of folklore, manifestations and events); tion Slano Kopovo - Sandorfalva should be seen and • the landscaping is in line with contemporary imagined as a tourist destination where: tourist and eco-destinations (tourist signaling, • nature, habitats, ecosystems and diversity of horticultural landscaping, rest areas); flora and fauna make up the basis of tourist of- • tourist facilities and offer are in line with the fer (proximity of the Tisa River, rare and pro- needs and interests of different generations tected species of the Special Nature Reserve from the youngest to the oldest; Slano Kopovo, the interaction of nature and • tourist facilities can be adjusted to persons man in Sandorfalva); with special needs (especially people with re- • cultural values have an adequate treatment duced mobility who should have access to all of protection through the formation of tour- facilities); ist itineraries (protected cultural monument • hospitality and tourism facilities respect the Arača - not far from the Slano Kopovo and the standards of environmentally friendly busi- castle in Sandorfalva, ethnographic and other ness, while their tidiness and aesthetic value cultural values, above all Novi Bečej and San- reflect the tradition of the area and dorfalva); • in addition to hitherto recognizable and af- • relaxing atmosphere forms the basis of the firmed localities, there are places in the cross- tourist experience (it is a picture of small ro- border destination for the discovery of new mantic destinations dominated by peace and unknown spaces, all for the purpose of a bal- harmony); anced development, which is in accordance • ecotourism rests on the integration of nature with the zoning technique in sustainable tour- protection and tourism, which recognizes ism. what is the carrying capacity, management of visitors and long-term planning; Based on all the guidelines which aim to build • the local population respects and protects the a positive, substantive and easily acceptable image, nature and the environment of the destination it is possible to set up key associations for the con- (free of poaching, illegal fishing, with a high struction of a new and overall image of the Slano level of awareness of the ecological and aes- Kopovo - Sandorfalva cross-border destination as thetic attributes of the whole region) and thus follows: sends a clear message of commitment to sus- 1. Tisa – river that we live with and that connects us tainable tourism and ecotourism; The tourist experience associated with the Tisa • quality tourist offer (tourism products in river is also very important for the integration of which the interpretative value is at a high lev- the cross-border destination. Tisa connects, and

40 Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net Key associations for the design of the image of the destination Slano Kopovo - Lakes of Sandorfalva

Tisa - the river with which we live Nature’s experience based on a Rural idyllic scenes: discovering with and that connects us compelling experience and richness of multiculturalism biodiversity Figure 56. Building the image of the cross-border destination Slano Kopovo - Sandorfalva

also offers numerous opportunities for the de- that leave the opportunity for quality recreational velopment of nautics, sports, recreation and eco- activity and substantive environmental education logical-tourism research. The Tisa is a symbol, that this way can only be experienced here (e.g. sa- meaning and life, and that should be more repre- line soil, salt lake, rare bird species). sented in the tourist offer. 3. Rural idilic scenes: discovering multiculturality 2. Nature experience based on the distinctive ex- At the center of the picture of the overall and perience and wealth of biodiversity common image is the idyllic scene of rural set- The predominantly agrar environment of both the tlements, church bell towers rising from the view Slano Kopovo and Sandorfalva creates the prem- of inhabited places. Cultural identity is embod- ise for a better understanding of the importance of ied in the presence of people who build a com- nature preservation along Potisje. These are places mon future in coexistence.

Selection of strategic strongholds

The directions of tourism development policy and eventual problems will be solved harmoniously. the analysis of the conditions of resources in Slano Interesting parties i.e. stakeholders include: lo- Kopovo and Sandorfalva, including equally natural cal self governments, local tourist organizations, and cultural resources, needs and current volume protected area managers, the non-governmental of tourism development, lead to the selection of key sector and prominent individuals. strategic strongholds: 2. Tourism offer is based on interpretation of nat- 1. Cross-border cooperation of the two destina- ural phenomena, as well as on ecotourism tions is the way to success of each one and the The natural valuesof Slano Kopovo and Sandor- joint tourism product that results in falva include a representative mosaic of indige- The main objective of this strategic guideline em- nous lake, bar, wetland, steppe, and other ecosys- phasizes the need for joint cooperation, in order tems, characterized by the presence of significant to emphasize the diversity and substantiality of biodiversity. Natural attractions are more diverse the tourism offer, and then integrated tourism than that what could be seen in tourist offer so management. The guideline is based on the prov- far, and consequently they are not sufficiently en assumption that borders, that is, border areas, used for the overall interpretation of the natural are becoming increasingly interesting tourist re- phenomena and processes underlying ecotour- gions. The central theme linking the two destina- ism. Such an approach should contribute to the tions, states and people, is the Tisa River, which affirmation of the protection of natural valueses - should be used more thoughtfully and better use pecially through the design of educational trails, as part of a joint tourism offering. Cross-border sites for interpretation (information-educational cooperation should also be seen as a process in centers), the erection of information and inter- which all interesting parties will share a common pretative boards at selected sites. As one of the vision for tourism development and in which more important reserves in Serbia, Slano Kopo-

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net 41 vo especially needs to be subject to the concept of 4. Culture is an integral part of the tourist offer, tourism development through nature protection. which is specifically reading in rural tourism It is therefore necessary to foster public aware- Rural and pastoral environment provides good ness of nature protection through content-based conditions for the development of rural tourism tourism products and provide environmental ed- in both destinations, which creates a real oppor- ucation for tourists and local population. tunity for quality integration of local culture and 3. Application of the sustainable tourism princi- tourism. Cultural sustainability should be reflect- ple through visitors management plans, con- ed in the survival of the culture, customs and hab- cept of bearing capacity, sustainable planning its of local communities providing tourist servic- and sustainable tourism indicators es. Also, rural tourism can be strongly integrated Sustainable tourism, based on ecological, econom- with ecotourism. The concept of substantial and ic and socio-cultural principles, should be one of unique eco-destination will be confirmed by the the basic postulates of development of tourism in valorization of cultural and historical heritage, the destinations of the Slano Kopovo and Sandor- which is an important part of the offer in ecotour- falva. Sustainable tourism insists on the protection ism. This concept of tourism development, which of nature and the preservation of cultural heritage. integrates the natural area and the rural environ- In order to achieve this, a visitor management plan ment, should also encourage the development of is required to organize, guide and control the ac- hospitality in the surrounding settlements. tivities of tourists and then monitor the impact of 5. High level of satisfaction of visitors their activities on natural and cultural values. The The appearance of the destination, the offer and concept of bearing capacity should be in the func- other various contents should influence the high tion of controlling the number of tourists, espe- level of tourist satisfaction. It is imperative that cially in environmentally sensitive sites and espe- the protected area meets the expectations of dif- cially in relation to the protection zones. Finally, ferent groups of visitors (children, the elderly, ad- a developed system of sustainable tourism indi- venturers, athletes, ecotourists…). Examining cators, for example according to a scheme devel- visitor attitudes is of crucial importance for mon- oped by the World Tourism Organization, should itoring their satisfaction with staying at the des- be another indicator of commitment to the princi- tination. Monitoring the performance of tourism ple of sustainable tourism. development must also include observing visitor

ACTIVE DEVELOPED PARTICIPATION TOURISM OF LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE POPULATION

CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION - STRATEGIC VISITORS’ COMMON STRONGHOLS SATISFACTION PRODUCT

CULTURAL INTERPRETATION IDENTITY OF NATURAL THROUGH PHENOMENA RURAL (ECOTOURISM) TOURISM

PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Figure 57. Strategic strongholds of the common cross-border destination Slano Kopovo - Lakes of Sandorfalva

42 Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net behavior patterns, their expectations and level of boards and educational trails. Particular atten- satisfaction. Successfully validated techniques of tion should be paid to bicycle paths, their main- such examinations so far are interviews and sur- tenance and tourist promotion. veys. Examination should be conducted at key 7. Comitent for tourism in which local popula- tourist gathering points. tion is actively involved 6. Developed and maintained tourism infrastruc- The scenario in which the local population does ture not participate and does not contribute to the The tourism infrastructure must be adequate, management of tourism protection and devel- modern and well placed to meet the needs of opment of tourism is not in accordance with the tourists. Tourism infrastructure is an indica- principles of sustainable development. The local tor of the extent of tourism development and, in community must be involved based on the prin- all likelihood, it is one of the major problems in ciple of: (1) interactive participation or (2) self ac- tourism of not yet established destinations. Ac- tion and connection. In the first case, the popu- commodation capacities are in some cases ne- lation takes part in joint analysis, development of glected, do not exist or do not correspond to the an action plan and the creation of local associa- concept of ecotourism development. The next tions. In the second, the population takes action segment relates to tourism infrastructure in the independently of external factors. External insti- sphere of information centers, interpretative tutions are only necessary to obtain advice.

Integrated goals

The objectives of ecotourism development in the 2. Creating a quality tourist offer cross-border destination should primarily be aimed To achieve this goal it is necessary to: at introducing new tourist activities, closer linking • to enhance the quality of the tourist experi- of Slano Kopovo and Sandorfalva and better organ- ence through a meaningful and interesting ized tourism propaganda. Also, if it starts from the tourist offer, which is based on geographical, set vision, then one of the key tasks in meeting the biological and ecological interpretation of nat- goals should be the education of the local popula- ural and social values, tion that is a very important actor in the organiza- • bring natural values closer to potential tour- tion of tourism. ists, through ecotourism-friendly promotion, The basic goals in the development of ecotour- • approximate current international trends, in ism of a cross-border destination can be presented the area of visitor management in protected as follows: areas, to domestic trends in ecotourism development. 1. Establishing efficient destination management 3. Insistance on increased volume of market rec- To achieve this goal it is necessary to: ognition • more intensive coordination, • To achieve this goal it is necessary to: • long-term planning, • developing plans to build a new, substantial • training local inhabitants to work in tourism and recognizable image, (skills and habits). • joint appearances at tourism fairs.

Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net 43 Benchmarking analysis

Benchmarking can be presented as a continuous Lake Neusiedl is an example of good practice. process of evaluating products and services that are The directions of tourism development of this des- recognized as examples of good practice in order to tination could be applied in case of our researched improve own products. destinations.

NEŽIDERSKO JEZERO Geographical location: Lake on the border of Austria and Hungary Main geographical features: Endorheic lake (315 km2); reed beds shaped habitat, small salt lakes that periodically dry, small sand dunes, meadows, grazing areas, National Park, Ramsar, UNESCO

Tourism profile (Burgenland): “Where the sun shines on nature” “The sunny side of Austria” “Worth a visit in every season!”

Tourist products: 1 . Season excursions 2 . Bird watching 3 . Sport and Recreation 4 . Wine and Food

The main attractions: nature (small salt lakes, dunes, meadows, pastures), fauna (birds) and flora, national park information center .

Links: www .burgenland .info/en/activities/nature/national-park .html https://www .austria .info/en/where-to-go/provinces/burgenland http://www .nationalpark-neusiedlersee-seewinkel .at/visitor-programme .html

44 Rehab NatCult Heritage | http://rncheritage.net OPŠTINA SÁNDORFALVA VÁROS NOVI BEČEJ ÖNKORMÁNYZATA

http://rncheritage.net

Description of the Programme The Interreg-IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme Hungary-Serbia is implemented within the 2014-2020 European Union financial framework, under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA). On the basis of “shared management system” of the participating countries - Hungary and Serbia, the Programme funds and supports co-operation projects of organizations located in the Programme-eligible area - Hungarian counties Csongrád and Bács-Kiskun, and Serbian territories: West Bačka, North Bačka, South Bačka, North Banat, Central Banat, South Banat and Srem. The Programme helps the development of a stable and co-operating region and the overall quality of life in the border region. It enables economic collaboration of organizations from the two countries, nurtures the common identity, and cultural and historical heritage of the border region, and contributes to its environmental sustainability and safety. For more information, please visit: www.interreg-ipa-husrb.com.

Disclaimer This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union through the Interreg-IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme Hungary-Serbia. The content of the document is the sole responsibility of Municiplaity of Novi Bečej and Sándorfalva and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union and/or the Managing Authority of the Programme.