Header: Almin Tabak / Amel Uzunović
In central Bosnia, entrepreneur Halim Zukić has brought Vincent van Gogh’s “The Starry Night” to life as a vast and immersive natural landscape, reinterpreted in 130,000 lavender bushes and a colorful array of plants.
This 10-hectare area, known as the Starry Night Retreat, has been under construction for more than six years and spans a larger 70-hectare retreat site. By blending art and nature, Zukić has created a sanctuary of swirling patterns, vibrant colors, and sensory experiences that honors van Gogh’s famous masterpiece in an entirely new medium.
Crafting a living artwork
The park, set within a natural amphitheater and surrounded by Bosnia’s rolling hills, was inspired by a moment Zukić experienced six years ago while surveying a hayfield. Standing atop a hill, he noticed spiral patterns created by tractor wheels across the meadow, evoking the dynamic, celestial swirls of van Gogh’s “Starry Night.”
This vision set Zukić on a path to transform his land into a natural canvas that emulates the artist’s sweeping brushstrokes. Working with an amateur team and relying on an intuitive design process, Zukić and his team used construction machinery to “paint” the landscape, aiming for a dynamic composition free of straight lines.
Lavender as the medium
Lavender bushes form the primary medium of this living artwork, planted in six vibrant hues that together mimic van Gogh’s colour palette. The bushes are interwoven with other aromatic and medicinal plants, including chamomile, sage, echinacea, and wormwood, which add scent, texture, and colour to the landscape.
These plants are arranged in swirling patterns and circular designs that mirror the forms and energy of van Gogh’s painting. Thirteen lakes, fed by natural streams, dot the landscape, enhancing the multi-sensory experience and echoing the dreamlike quality of van Gogh’s original work. Thousands of trees stand amidst the lavender and herbs, creating a visually rich and ecologically diverse retreat.
A cultural and artistic hub
For Zukić, the Starry Night Retreat is more than a tribute to van Gogh; it’s a cultural hub that offers visitors a space for reflection, inspiration, and connection with nature. Envisioned as an open-air museum, the retreat will welcome artists from around the world, transforming the site into a collaborative space where art and nature converge.
Scheduled to open in May 2025, the park will also host art programs and events that celebrate Bosnia’s heritage, attracting both tourists and locals to engage with the region’s beauty and culture.
While the Starry Night Retreat awaits its full bloom, its legacy as a testament to Zukić’s vision and patience is already evident. Through his dedication and love for art, Zukić has transformed his land into an expansive, evolving homage to one of the world’s most iconic works, inviting visitors to step into a living interpretation of “The Starry Night”.
Project info
Name: Starry Night Retreat
Landscape concept: Halim Zukić
Location: Lužnica, Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Starry Night Retreat / Almin Tabak and Amel Uzunović
