THE CHURCH OF ST. MARTYR GEORGE – Bečej

The Orthodox Church dedicated to St. Martyr Georgije. It was built in the style of the late classicism, while the three towers, as the symbol of St. Trinity, was made in baroque style.

The building of church started in 1851. The main craftsman was Andrija Šmaus, and his helper was Mita Somborski from Bečej. It was finished in September, 1858.

The object is one nave building with five –direction apse and with side emphasized choirs. The main entrance is emphasized with open terrace with four high pillars with triangle kettledrum. You can get to the door by unique stairs. Two side castles – towers end with baroque profiled copper caps. This way shaped and articulated object of the orthodox church remains recorded as the classical example composed elements of baroque – eclectic architectural language.

During the demonstrations in 1848., the first orthodox church in Bečej was ruined.

The iconostasis in the church of St. Georgije is decorated with 63 icons. It was done in baroque style. It was finished by Wien craftsman Kistner in 1868., and putting of gold was done by Wien artist Jarai. The icons themselves were done by the famous painter Uroš Predić from 1889. – 1893. Two years later the icons were put into the iconostasis. It is interesting that before the pictures were put in iconostasis, the painter made the exhibition with them and that was the first art exhibition in Bečej. The icons were restored by the painter himself in the period from 1930. – 1931.

In 1972. the church was restored again and on that occasion some parts of the tower construction were replaced.