One of the best-known works of art, “The Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh, inspired Halim Zukić to create a unique nature park spanning 100 hectares in Visoko near Sarajevo, bringing the magic of this classic painting to life.
This park in Visoko covers 100 hectares and includes 13 decorative lakes. It is home to swans, peacocks, and other species, while The Akhal-Teke horses are its main attraction.
Vincent van Gogh, Dutch post-impressionist painted “The Starry Night” in 1889 while staying in a psychiatric hospital in Saint Remy. The painting depicts a rural landscape at night, with hills in the background.
“A tractor drove over the meadows I was observing at that moment, and its wheels left marks that reminded me of spirals. At that moment, I remembered a painting by Vincent Van Gogh. That moment shaped the development of this project,” said Halim Zukić, creator of the project.
Seven Years of Work and 130,000 Lavender Plants
It took him seven years to turn the painting into a true paradise and merge art and nature in this way. The park is decorated with 130,000 lavender plants in six color shades, including purple, blue, pink, and white, forming colorful circles and spirals.
“Why lavender? It is a low-maintenance plant for such large areas, and watering is also a big problem. Over all these years, the lavender was not watered once, which makes it a preferred choice. We succeeded in finding a palette with six shades of lavender. We want to use the color shades Van Gogh used in his painting,” Zukić said.
Lakes, Meticulous Landscaping, and Animal World
The park has 13 decorative lakes. It is interesting that one area was altered 32 times by a single man.
“This is the area… In order for everything to be perfect, we must fine-tune everything – every line, every path, every trail. Every plant must be just like in the painting; otherwise, everything will fall through,” said Mahir Tabak, excavator operator.
The park became home to many animals, such as black swans, herons, white peacocks, and 17 different breeds of chicken, which lay eggs of various colors and shades.
“We also have a few black swans and white peacocks. The ecosystem has improved significantly. I originally found only one grebe species on the lakes, and now we have three species of grebes and three species of herons,” said Emin, a breeder of pedigree and ornamental poultry.
Park as a Space of Peace, Inspiration, and Gathering
This project is not just aimed at celebrating Van Gogh’s art, but also at offering visitors a space for relaxation and enjoyment in nature. The park is not solely a place for walks, but an open-air museum that encourages creativity and inspiration.
“The Starry Night becomes a place that lives on through music, nature, learning, and gathering. Anyone who comes feels the peace, the energy behind the work, and everything that makes us special,” said Merjem Zukić, park manager.
The main attraction of the park is the Akhal-Teke horses that Zukić imported to Visoko from the Caucasus before the war in Ukraine. These are the first horses of this breed in the region. Itis a native Turkmen horse featured on the country’s coat of arms.
