The majority of people in Serbia know most of the Latin names of major cities in Serbia, i.e. their Roman names: Singidunum (Belgrade), Naisus (Nis), Romuliana (Zajecar), Viminacium (Kostolac), Sirmium (Sremska Mitrovica), Taurunum (Zemun). We have read about them, heard about them, took pride in our rich history, which goes back even further than the Roman military fortifications spread across the fertile plain, on the banks of the mighty Danube. However, a question was recently asked in a TV quiz: What is the Latin name of Novi Sad? Although the competitor immediately responded Neoplanta, there were many comments on social networks from people stating that they were not familiar with this fact until now. That is why we are now going to tell you how the settlement on the left bank of the Danube got its name Novi Sad.
Way Back Then and Now, Neoplanta Was and Is Novi Sad
In order to better familiarize you with the name of the capital of the Vojvodina plain, we have to go back in time, but not all the way back to the Romans, only to the end of the 17th and 18th century. At the beginning of the Habsburg rule, citizens of the Orthodox faith were forbidden to live in Petrovaradin, so the Serbs founded a new settlement on the left bank of the Danube in 1694, from which later Novi Sad would be formed. The oldest name of the settlement on the left bank of the Danube was Racka varaos, and it was also known by the name Petrovaradinski Sanac . Citizens from both banks of the Danube wanted greater freedoms for themselves and demanded them from the Hungarian and Austrian authorities. They were told that this would cost them 80,000 forints. As this was a huge sum for the Serbs, who initiated this procedure, other residents of all religions and nations joined them, collected money for the empty Austrian treasury and got what they had demanded. On February 1st, 1748 Empress Maria Theresa issued an Edict by which Neoplanta (Novi Sad) received the status of a Free Royal City of the Kingdom of Hungary, which was then part of the Austrian Empire.
In view of the fact that the community living in this area was multinational, Empress Maria Theresa stated in the Edict: “… canceling its previous name Petrovaradinski Sanac, we found it good to in the future call it Neoplanta, Hungarian Uj-Videgh, German Ney-Satz, Serbian Novi Sad and Bulgarian Mlada Loza”.
Due to the importance of this date, in the year 1998, February 1st was proclaimed the Day of the City of Novi Sad, and the February Award is presented to citizens who have contributed and promoted libertarian values, which are recognized as the most important characteristic of the City and its inhabitants. The first award was given to the well-known “Pannonian Sailor”, singer-songwriter from Novi Sad – Djordje Balasevic.
A Tradition That Is Remembered, Cherished and Loved
Because of very fact that the story of all the people who have participated in the creation of the libertarian city is unique and distinctive for Vojvodina, Neoplanta proudly bears the name of Vojvodina’s capital. Neoplanta’s production is based on the tradition of meat processing which began at the end of the 19th century, and Neoplanta has good reason to still take pride in the quality of its products, its specific method of production and the taste of its meat products. The required skills were brought by connoisseurs from all parts, especially from, at that time, more developed Europe. And while the methods of making various sausages, hams and pâtés were perfected and changed, some traditions were never broken and have remained the same for centuries. One of them is the incredible hospitality at the tables of hosts, full of sheer abundance, who always present their best to their guests. You yourself already know what it’s like and how long a lunch on a farm can last, that beautiful gastronomic reminder of ancient times, of the philosophy of a good life and the warmth of a welcome. Neoplanta’s products will definitely be on that table, because they are of true Vojvodina quality, made from carefully selected pieces of meat, according to proven, traditional recipes. Every bite here brings pleasure, the warmth that comes from leisurely enjoyment, because Neoplanta preserves tradition and knows what it is leaving for generations to come.
