Post by radovic on Nov 21, 2007 13:27:37 GMT -5
Serbia: Historic Fortress Damaged
21 11 2007 Novi Sad _ The public in Serbia’s northern city of Novi Sad are still awaiting an answer over last week’s destruction of a portion of the famous local fortress, local media reported Wednesday.
Police have launched an investigation into the case, and its findings are indicating “that only skilled workers could have done it,” said Stevan Krstic, a police spokesman.
Local police and the city authorities have contested each other’s jurisdiction in finding those responsible for removing some 100 metres of the centuries-old ramparts which form part of Petrovaradin fortress overlooking the city.
Over the past week, media in Novi Sad have described the incident as a “mysterious destruction”, and said it represents an unprecedented case of damage to Serbia’s cultural heritage.
The police have failed to identify the organization that may have been responsible for removing part of the wall, as Krstic said they “have no authority to seek such documents.”
Under the law the only state body that has the authority to allow any kind of works at the fortress is the local Department for the Protection of Monuments.
Its director, Djordje Srbulovic, denied that any order had been given to remove part of the wall.
Novi Sad’s municipal government, led by Igor Mirovic of the ultra-nationalist Serbian Radical Party, also denied involvement in the destruction of ramparts.
Ratko Buturovic a local businessman who owns a hotel at the fort, said he was not involved in the incident.
Buturovic said he ordered the construction of a “temporary fence until the investigation shows who and why ordered this.”
The origins of the Petrovaradin fortress date back to Celtic tribes and the Romans who both built fortified camps at its location.
Over the centuries it changed hands many times, and in 1716 it was the site of a key battle in which Austria’s Prince Eugene of Savoy defeated the Ottoman Turks.
Much of the current fortress was built under the Austrian Habsburg rulers in the 18th century.
Today Petrovaradin is the venue of EXIT, south-eastern Europe’s biggest annual music festival.
21 11 2007 Novi Sad _ The public in Serbia’s northern city of Novi Sad are still awaiting an answer over last week’s destruction of a portion of the famous local fortress, local media reported Wednesday.
Police have launched an investigation into the case, and its findings are indicating “that only skilled workers could have done it,” said Stevan Krstic, a police spokesman.
Local police and the city authorities have contested each other’s jurisdiction in finding those responsible for removing some 100 metres of the centuries-old ramparts which form part of Petrovaradin fortress overlooking the city.
Over the past week, media in Novi Sad have described the incident as a “mysterious destruction”, and said it represents an unprecedented case of damage to Serbia’s cultural heritage.
The police have failed to identify the organization that may have been responsible for removing part of the wall, as Krstic said they “have no authority to seek such documents.”
Under the law the only state body that has the authority to allow any kind of works at the fortress is the local Department for the Protection of Monuments.
Its director, Djordje Srbulovic, denied that any order had been given to remove part of the wall.
Novi Sad’s municipal government, led by Igor Mirovic of the ultra-nationalist Serbian Radical Party, also denied involvement in the destruction of ramparts.
Ratko Buturovic a local businessman who owns a hotel at the fort, said he was not involved in the incident.
Buturovic said he ordered the construction of a “temporary fence until the investigation shows who and why ordered this.”
The origins of the Petrovaradin fortress date back to Celtic tribes and the Romans who both built fortified camps at its location.
Over the centuries it changed hands many times, and in 1716 it was the site of a key battle in which Austria’s Prince Eugene of Savoy defeated the Ottoman Turks.
Much of the current fortress was built under the Austrian Habsburg rulers in the 18th century.
Today Petrovaradin is the venue of EXIT, south-eastern Europe’s biggest annual music festival.