Serbia, Told By You – Under the Apple Tree in Vojvodina

Author: Jelena Mitrović (31), Novi Sad, Serbia

“My name is Jelena, I’m 31 and I come from Novi Sad. My fondest childhood memories are tied to the days when we would visit my grandparents’ salaš (traditional farmstead) in the heart of Bačka. Behind their house stood a huge apple tree, more than half a century old. In summer, we would rest in its shade, and in autumn, when its branches were heavy with red and green fruit, we gathered the apples in old woven baskets and carried them inside.”

“My grandmother turned those apples into everything – flaky pies sprinkled with cinnamon, sweet apple preserves glowing like amber in jars, fresh juice, compotes for winter, and even homemade apple rakija. The best mornings were when we woke up to the smell of freshly baked apple pie, with the whole family gathered around the table. Under that apple tree, we ate, drank elderflower juice, and listened to my grandfather playing tamburica and telling stories of the old days when the salaš was full of people and life.”

“Today, whenever I want to escape city noise, I return to the salaši of Vojvodina. There you can still feel the same warmth – homemade dishes, the sound of tamburica music, and that heartfelt welcome that makes you feel like family.

If you visit this part of Vojvodina, don’t miss the salaši near Čenej, the banks of the Tisa River near Titel, or the medieval fortress in Bač – one of the most beautiful in Serbia. Nearby, you can also explore the Special Nature Reserve Carska Bara, where wetlands and flocks of birds create a unique natural haven. And maybe, just like me, you’ll find your own apple tree that brings you back to childhood and the sweetest memories.”