Palić lake

History

Palić was first mentioned under the name Palij. In the course of time, a village was formed, noted as Palegyhaza in Turkish evidence (1580), and of which the today's name Palić has become.

By the beginning of 19C, people used to bathe in the lake, because analysis proved healing features of the water (for skin diseases and hemorrhoids). In 1842, the erection of the Park began, taking the English way with winding paths. The first health bath was built in 1845, (inn with some wood tubs and heated water). In years to come new baths (medical, warm, cold, mud) were built, inns Mala gostiona (1852), hotels Hotel Park (1854) and numerous summerhouses (villa Falcione, today's pharmacy begin one of them) of rich merchants and owners of large estates, mainly from remote places. More and more visitors came in the hope of recovery, others wishing rest and entertainment. Popular gipsy-bands played on the balls and in inns. The owners organized dance parties, theatrical and amateur performances. Entertainment was many-sided: boating, bowling, tennis, archery, tombola, and excursions to neighboring woods, to Subotica and Szeged.

Large works started in building up the resort. The Water Tower, Women's Beach, Big Terrace, Music Pavilion and Hotel Jezero were built according to the projects of Marcel Komor and Dezso Jakab. The Park was reconstructed in baroque style and enriched with various species of trees. On 15 September 1912, the mayor declared the works finished, on a ceremony by the commemorative fountain. At that time, Palić was compared with Karlovy Vary, Wiesbaden and Saint-Maurice.

B.G.

Data used is taken from: "Vaš vodič kroz Suboticu i Palić"