Palić: An oasis of life

Palić: An oasis of life

Seven kilometers to the east of Subotica is the village Palić and next to it lies a tranquil body of water that bears the same name. The shallow saltwater lake of aeolian origin is rich in thermal springs. Since the mid-19th century the area around the lake has prospered into a prestigeous health resort and vacation area. Although the avarage depth of the lake is only 2 m, it has cosy and tended beaches along its 17 km long shores, offering opportunities for various water sports and fishing. A large park embraces the lake and dotted with picturesque villas and hotelsis becoming a popular excursion point for tourists. Palić can be reached by from Subotica, a nearby urban center close to the border with Hungary, or by train that stops here twice a day and continues on to Szeged. The bus stops in front of the main entrance of the park by the Water Tower (Vodotoranj), the symbol of the resort. Like all the other prominent buildings here, it is the work of Marcel Komor and Deže Jakab from 1912, when Palić was given its present appearance. The main park promenade begins at the Water Tower and leads to the stocky Grand Terrace, a beautiful Art Nouveau building also built 1912. On the other side of the Terrace, next to the lake shore, is the memorial well with an inscription about the founding day of the resort. To the right of stands the fairytale-like wooden Women’s Lido, rich in detail and reminescent of local ethnic motives.The characteristic Villa Lujza is near by, built in Swiss style (deemed to be the most adequate for spas) and the ruined Owl Castle, once home of the famous sportsman Lajoš Vermeš.

Palić also has a ZOO garden (phone: 024/753-075, open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and a large open air stage that hosts the annual Palić International Film Festival in July. Towards the East along the same road there is another water basin, Lake Ludoško, a wetland reserve rich in waterfowl. There are 214 species of birds that can be seen throughout the year, 40 of which nest here. The lake is also an archeological locality with evidence of early human settlements. There several farmsteadsand fish taverns (salaš and čarda) with culinary specialites and old-style rural accommodation.

More information and contact detail are available at

Url: www.palic.co.yu 

E-mail: jp.palic@tippnet.co.yu