The Pavle Beljanski Memorial Collection

About

The Pavle Beljanski Memorial Collection is one of Novi Sad’s most elegant cultural institutions, created by diplomat and collector Pavle Beljanski, who spent decades assembling what he considered the finest achievements of Serbian modern art. He donated the entire collection to the city in 1957, insisting it remain accessible to the public—a remarkable act that turned his private passion into a national treasure. Inside, visitors encounter a harmonious sequence of rooms arranged to highlight Beljanski’s personal vision. The core of the collection features masterpieces by artists such as Sava Šumanović, Milan Konjović, and Petar Lubarda, offering a vivid panorama of Serbian painting between the two world wars. The Konjović works stand out for their bold colours, while Šumanović’s pieces reveal a lyrical blend of modernism and tradition. Beljanski also collected exceptional sculptures, including expressive bronzes that capture the era’s fascination with movement and form. A small but captivating section displays drawings and prints, showing how artists experimented with line and composition before committing to canvas.

Novi Sad Serbia

Location

The Pavle Beljanski Memorial Collection is a essential cultural stop in Novi Sad, located in the central city area at Trg Galerija 2. Housed in a custom-built modernist building from 1961, this museum displays an exceptional private collection donated by diplomat Pavle Beljanski. It features an incredible lineup of 20th-century Serbian and Yugoslav paintings and sculptures created between the world wars. Because the museum sits right on Gallery Square, you are steps away from some of the city's finest cultural spots. Directly beside it on the same square is the Gallery of Matica Srpska, one of Serbia's oldest and most respected art institutions. Also on the square is the Fine Arts Gallery Endowment Collection of Rajko Mamuzić, making this spot a true paradise for art lovers. A brief walk takes you into the pedestrian heart of Novi Sad at Liberty Square, where you can admire grand landmarks like the Neo-Gothic Name of Mary Church and the historic City Hall. Heading slightly further east brings you to Danube Park and the Museum of Vojvodina. If you cross the Danube River, you can explore the grand Petrovaradin Fortress, a massive 18th-century castle complex offering underground catacombs and sweeping views of the city. Together, these nearby sites make visiting the collection a ideal part of exploring Novi Sad.