Constructed between 1758 and 1762 during the time ofPavle Nenadović, the cathedral is one of the most important examples of Baroque religious architecture in Serbia.[2] It was designed with influences fromCentral European architectural styles, and its two bell towers and richly decorated interior reflect the artistic aspirations of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the 18th century.[3] The church has undergone multiple restorations, including major works in 1805, 1909, and the 21st century. It is protected as aCultural Monument of Exceptional Importance by the Republic of Serbia.
The Cathedral Church of Saint Nicholas in Sremski Karlovci was constructed between 1758 and 1762, under the patronage of Metropolitan Pavle Nenadović, a prominent figure in the Serbian Orthodox Church during the Habsburg era. It was built on the site of an earlier church dating back to theOttoman period inPannonian Basin before 1699Treaty of Karlowitz, which was demolished to make way for a new cathedral befitting the status of Sremski Karlovci as the spiritual and administrative centre of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the Habsburg Monarchy.
The architectural plans for the new cathedral were prepared inVienna. The main construction work was overseen by Kosta Cincarin and Johannes, a German builder. In 1760, the towers and dome were added according to designs by the Serbian polymath and artistZaharije Orfelin, who was then residing in the town. The cathedral was completed and consecrated in 1762.
A devastating fire in 1799 severely damaged the building, prompting a comprehensive reconstruction completed in 1805. A further restoration was carried out in 1811, during which the cathedral acquired neoclassical elements, particularly in its interior. In 1909, architectVladimir Nikolić led another major renovation that transformed the cathedral’s façade, replacing its Baroque character with a Renaissance Revival design. This version of the façade has remained largely unchanged since.
During the 20th century, the cathedral underwent additional conservation efforts. The iconostasis was restored between 1972 and 1975, while the building itself was repaired in 1991–1994 and again in 2006. A major renovation of the exterior façade was completed in 2020, supported by the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina.
Bogdan Janjušević (2017).Saborna crkva Svetog oca Nikolaja u Sremskim Karlovcima [The Cathedral Church of St. Nicholas in Sremski Karlovci]. Pokrajinski zavod za zaštitu spomenika kulture Petrovaradin.ISBN9788685869853.
