Futoška 68 – “Jodna Banja” Complex

The development of Novi Sad and its healthcare system was greatly influenced by the construction of the new artesian bath, which the city built at a cost of 250,000 crowns. Besides the healing properties of the water, the bath aimed to address the chronic lack of a modern public bath, a problem common in every growing city.

The healing qualities of the artesian water were well-known to the residents of Novi Sad and the surrounding area, with many miraculous cures attributed to it. The story of its discovery dates back to the late 19th century when, due to a shortage of clean drinking water, the city decided to drill a deep well at the old fairground. The shallower layers did not yield quality water, so drilling was extended to 195 meters. Warm water emerged from the depths, releasing flammable gases.

Initially, the city built a free public bath on this site, later granting licenses to individual entrepreneurs to build bathing facilities. Despite their simplicity, many people visited, recognizing the healing power of the artesian water. However, the bath soon became too small, and in 1900 it was completely destroyed by fire. The city then issued a new construction permit, but the second bath still did not meet the needs of the citizens—it was cramped and primitive.

In 1905, the city administration took over management of the bath and ordered a detailed analysis of the water. The tests showed that, unlike most artesian waters in the Pannonian region, the Novi Sad water has an exceptionally high iodine content. One liter of this water contains as much iodine as 10 liters of water from Margit Island and significantly more than water from Lipik. Based on these results and the proven healing effects, the city decided to build a modern public bath.

The new building, constructed at the beginning of the 20th century, featured 40 tubs, a steam bath with 50 cabins, and a large restaurant. Surrounding the facility was a park of 20 hectares.

The bath was connected to the city by a new electric tram line, which started operating in 1909.

The bath’s design was created by the City Engineering Department.

The “Jodna Banja” complex, with its main building and the pool facility, was built in 1909/1910 in the Art Nouveau style, according to plans by the Budapest architect Imre Francsek. The one-story building is set back from the street, with a spacious park in front.

Its base forms an elongated rectangle with two side wings.

The main façade is richly decorated with stucco cartouches, friezes, nymphs, fish motifs, and a massive dome with a lantern in the center.

The interior hall, featuring the dome and nine stained glass windows decorated with stucco ornamentation, represents one of the finest Art Nouveau ensembles in the city.

Directly behind the building, a “bathhouse” with a pool was constructed, and the complex was surrounded by a 20-hectare garden with old trees and an English park with tennis courts. In 1929, the “Park” hotel was built on the right side of the building, connected to the bath by an annex, designed by Đorđe Tabaković.

The iodine-rich water was discovered in 1897 during the drilling of the artesian well. Its healing properties were confirmed by analysis, and in 1910 the bath was granted the status of a therapeutic spa. It was used to treat rheumatic diseases, neuralgia, sciatica, obesity, and chronic digestive disorders.

During its golden age between the two world wars, Jodna Banja was a prestigious health resort and social center in Novi Sad.

Although the large pool was closed in 1977, the bath was renovated starting in the 2000s and resumed providing therapeutic services. Today, it houses the Special Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases Novi Sad, the only institution of its kind in Vojvodina, offering modern diagnostic and rehabilitation programs.

The realisation of this site was supported by the Administration for Culture of the City of Novi Sad

The sources and materials of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of the City of Novi Sad were used for the realization of this website

The Old Core of Novi Sad was declared a cultural asset, by the decision on establishing it as a spatial cultural-historical unit – 05 no. 633-151/2008 of January 17, 2008, “Sl. gazette of the Republic of Serbia” no. 07/2008.