Damaskin Castle - Istvánvölgy (Hajdučica)

History

The history of the castle is linked to the Damaskin (Damaszkin) family, who received a noble title in 1799 and purchased an estate in what is now Romania, around the village of Németh (Beregsău Mic). The first significant landowner was Ljubomir Stevan Damaskin de Nemet, who bought the village of Hajdučica in 1800 and later settled inhabitants there. The first castle was built before 1824. In 1890, the Damaskin family sold the estate to the famous Vojvodina landowner, Lazar Dunđerski, for 670,000 ducats. Dunđerski remodeled the castle in 1901, but the classical symmetrical structure was left untouched. The estate was first inherited by his daughter, Olga Dunđerski, and later by her husband, Jovan Jovanović. Before World War II, the castle belonged to Vlada Ilić, the mayor of Belgrade and an industrial magnate. After the war, the castle was nationalized and later used by the "Agrobanat" company before being transferred to PDP "Hajdučica". For some time, the building even served as a wedding venue. Eventually, it was sold to a private investor, who began restoration work.

Style

The castle was built in a classical style, featuring a symmetrical structure. Its floor plan is an elongated rectangle. The main architectural elements include: Porticos (columned entrance halls) on both sides, with four Doric columns at the front and six Doric columns facing the courtyard. A simple facade, dominated by yellow and white colors. Pilasters (flat columns) on the facade that align with the internal room layout. The roof design is similar to that of the Dunđerski Castle in Čelarevo.

Famous residents

Ljubomir Stevan Damaskin de Nemet – the first noble landowner who bought the estate in 1800. Stevan Damaskin – his descendant, who sold the property in 1890 to Lazar Dunđerski. Lazar Dunđerski – a famous landowner and one of the most significant figures in Vojvodina’s agrarian history; he remodeled the castle in 1901. Olga Dunđerski – Lazar’s daughter, who managed a modern model farm and inherited the estate. Jovan Jovanović – Olga’s husband, an industrial magnate from Belgrade. Vlada Ilić – the mayor of Belgrade and an industrial entrepreneur, the last private owner before the war.

Renovation

The current owner is meticulously restoring the castle, ensuring that its classical architectural details are preserved. The surrounding park and lake have also been renovated. Some of the original furnishings remain inside, including Lazar Dunđerski’s furniture and paintings by the famous artist Jatan. The castle features a legendary room, where the painter lost his dreams, and where a mystical bed is kept, said to have an unusual mushroom-shaped headboard.

Present day

The castle is privately owned and is currently under intensive restoration. The Serbian Ministry of Culture and Information is supporting the renovation project. Some parts of the building are being renovated for luxury purposes. The castle is surrounded by a well-maintained park and a lake ("Ribnjak"), which has been transformed into a public bath.

Credits

Contributed by:Sarnyai Katica