Banoštor Through History: From Celtic Malata to the Ban's Monastery

Sitting on the terrace looking at the Danube, it is easy to forget that this landscape has witnessed thousands of years of history. Banoštor is considered one of the oldest villages in Syrmia.

Celtic Malata

After the Celtic invasions of the Balkans in the 3rd century BC, Celtic tribes settled across present-day Serbia. Their settlement on the site of Banoštor was called Malata. A spot on the Danube, sheltered by the slopes of Fruška Gora, was as appealing then as it is now.

The Ban's monastery

The village's name hides its medieval story. “Banoštor” comes from “Ban Monostor” — the Ban's monastery, founded here in the 12th century. A fortress stood alongside it and changed names over the centuries. After many invasions it was destroyed and eventually disappeared completely — but its name lives on in the name of the village.

The fortress vanished. The name remained. So did the vines.

St. George's Church

Today the village's most important monument is the Serbian Orthodox Church of St. George, from the first half of the 19th century. Built in Classicist style with Baroque elements, it is listed as a cultural monument of great importance.

A village of wine and fish

For centuries Banoštor lived from two things: vineyards on the slopes and fish from the Danube. It still does — only the rhythm is slower, and guests come precisely for that calm.

Vinea Montis grew from family land, in a vineyard planted by our grandfather. A small part of this region's big story.

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