BEEKEEPING MUSEUM OF THE ŽIVANOVIĆ FAMILY – Sremski Karlovci

The Živanović family’s passion for these tiny creatures of God, expressed by Professor Jovan Živanović (1841–1916) in prose poetry, was passed down to his descendants. His son Žarko (1875–1933) and grandson Borivoje (1914–1997) continued the family tradition. Today, the great-grandson Žarko combines the knowledge of his ancestors with modern beekeeping methods, keeping the family home alive with flowing honey.

In Sremski Karlovci, in the family home and spacious yard with over 200 beehives and around a hundred historical beekeeping tools used by his grandfather, Borivoje Živanović founded the Živanović Family Beekeeping Museum in 1968. He displayed objects that are now extremely rare, offering visitors the unique experience of smelling beeswax and propolis from bygone times while learning the stories behind the artifacts.

Visitors can see several types of hives and numerous tools used in beekeeping and honey production, including pollen, wax, and propolis processing equipment. Notable artifacts include:

A honey extractor from 1876

A steam wax melter from 1881, a smoker and other tools and the most remarkable exhibit: a church-shaped hive from 1880, which once decorated Jovan Živanović’s large apiary. Today, due to its age, it is preserved safely under a roof.

As new objects documenting the history of beekeeping continue to arrive, plans are underway to modernize and expand the permanent exhibition. This museum, unique in Serbia, attracts not only beekeepers but also young visitors, especially students of the Karlovac Theological Seminary and agricultural faculties in Novi Sad and Zemun.

The great-grandson of Professor Jovan Živanović, Mr. Žarko Živanović, continues the family tradition by participating in the creation of the seminary’s educational apiary. He preserves over 200 years of family heritage, including the cellars where the finest Karlovac wines—Ausbruch, Bermet, and Riesling—were crafted and served even at royal courts.

The museum’s yard, apiary, and family garden have been developed into an ethno-park, offering future generations a tangible connection to the sweat and effort of their ancestors in building Serbian Sion and the historic town of Sremski Karlovci.

Working hours:

Monday – Sunday: 09:00 AM – 04:00 PM