Maria Trandafil

Contributions to culture and science:

Marija Trandafil was a landowner from Novi Sad and one of the greatest Serbian benefactors. She is often called “the greatest Serbian benefactress”. Among other things, she built the building for the orphanage, which now houses the headquarters of Matica Srpska. Indirectly, she significantly contributed to the development of Serbian culture and architecture. She was awarded the Order of the Red Cross.

Short biography:

Marija was born in Novi Sad, in 1816, in a respectable family of Greek origin. Although not much is known about her schooling, there is information that she was literate and even read German literature. She married Jovan Trandafil, a Greek merchant, who then bought a house on Main Street, where he moved in with his wife. After the death of her husband, Marija returned to the house where she was born, where she died in 1883. After the embalming, her remains were placed in the family crypt of the Nikolajevska church in Novi Sad. The Trandafil couple made two wills by mutual agreement. They bequeathed all their property to the Serbian Orthodox Church and Matica Srpska (Serbian literary, cultural and scientific society). After her death, a fund was established that financed the education of many talented children.

Interesting facts (Storytelling):

Marija Trandafil’s most significant endowment is the Institute for the Support of Orphans and Poor Children in Novi Sad. Today, Matica Srpska is housed in this building. Maria Trandafil owned houses in Zmaj Jovina, Pašićeva, Dunavska and Miletićeva streets in Novi Sad.