Vukov Konak rustic accommodation Sarajevo

Vukov Konak – the Wolf Inn is rustic, old mountain hut in the Vučija luka picturesque hamlet – in the middle of nowhere, east of Sarajevo, and seemingly inaccessible, but surely away from the “modern” civilization and thus extremely warm, pleasant and aimed for priceless quiet moments. The Vukov Konak boarding House is set on the wonderful Crepoljsko Mountain /1470 meters/, where Ozren Mountain joins the Romanija Mountain in Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the most beautiful countries of Europe.

The Vukov Konak Boarding House – the Wolf Inn in Vucija Luka village features special idyllic energy of its dedicated hosts Jasmin and Nepu and their wonderful girls, and makes superb sanctuary to run away from city noise, hassle and pollution, though it is not good for every visitor, but only for true nature-lovers and all who fully respect heritage left from ancestors, ethics of wilderness and admire benefits of unspoiled environment and peace of mind. The Vukov Konak – the Wolf Inn is situated just outside the village of Vučja Luka, Wolf Haven, only 18 km from Sarajevo downtown. The main building is entirely ecological /built of wood and stone/ over a 100 years old log house typical for the region and a fairy-tale house with dimly lit corners, old ornaments, sheep skins, candles, and books. The mountain cottage of Vukov Konak is surrounded by deep, dark green forests, peaceful and fragrant meadows, and cattle grazing areas on a mountain, 1300 meters above sea level, with magic view on the surrounding peaks and panorama of Sarajevo. Various wild animals live in those mountains of Bosnia – wolfs, bears, foxes, boars….

The Vucija luka village and particularly the Vukov Konak cottage itself fully determine its names and the modern meaning of the facility on three levels which immediately overwhelm the visitor : restaurant and sitting area with a fire place, kitchen, and modern toilets and bathrooms on the ground floor, the 1st floor with three sleeping rooms for guests, a room for personnel and a storage room and the 2nd floor with one sleeping room for guests – the Wolves in Love.
The Vukov Konak – The Wolf Inn has a plot of about half a hectare (1,2 acres), mostly covered with woods. Outside the cottage there is true animal farm /donkeys, cat, dogs, haski/, surrounded with deep forests, beautiful fragrant meadows, and endless cattle pastures. Further on you can enjoy the hiking paths and endless spots of natural beauty, and in few hours of pleasant invigorating hike, you reach the renown Skakavac waterfalls. On the plot, right next to the main building owners have a smaller house, suitable for a group 6-12 to dine in privacy or just to enjoy a few drinks casually. It also serves as a secondary sleeping room, when needed. The Vukov Konak includes a covered, open air summer kitchen and sitting area, where visitors can watch the chef at work and food being prepared on the sač (traditional way of cooking) or meat rolling on a spit.
The wooden house is heated with wood only, kitchen stove serving as central heating and a big fire place in the sitting area adding the warmth. During winter months cheerful owners heat the house daily to keep the warmth in, and in the summer it stays wonderfully cool, thanks to the stone flooring on the ground level. The house was moved to its current plot in 2009 from the original site, some 5 kilometers from here, on a nearby mountain. Before it got a new life as the Vukov Konak guesthouse, it was the home of a family. The upper floors did not exist in the original construction, but hay, grains, and meat etc. were dried high up on the ceiling. The house had been abandoned years ago, but luckily it remained in excellent condition.
The Vukov Konak – Wolf Inn Sarajevo is a small mountain lodge with four rooms for guests. The rooms are very basic, cozy and comfortable, but simple. The bathroom and toilets are downstairs. Staying in the rooms of the Vukov konak – the Wolf Inn is very affordable, but provides truly unbelievable experience. There are the Big Wolf Family room (4 persons), the Small Wolf Family (2-3 persons), Wolves In Love (2 persons, double bed.) and Two Wolfs (2 persons, twin beds). Big Wolf Family is a room with four beds: two single beds and a double bed. It’s is ideal for a family or a small group of friends willing to share. Two Wolfs is a twin room suitable for anyone traveling alone or with a friend. Small Wolf Family is a double bed room with a small extra bed. This room is suitable anyone traveling alone, or a couple, or a family with one child. On the top level of the main house there is a small, private space with a double bed and view to the opposite hill, called the Wolves in Love. Groups and companies are more than welcome to inquire more about accommodation options as the Vukov Konak can accommodate up to max 15 persons at a time, including the small house in the yard.
Vukov konak facility serves as a traditional restaurant, too. Jasmin, the owner of Vukov konak, is the head chef and in charge of the kitchen. Uniquely traditional, organic, simple and tasty Bosnian foods, prepared with lots of love and passion, under highest quality standards is served at the Vukov Konak, such as uštipci, pura, and razljevak, as well as vegetarian, gluten free or any other special diet foods as per announcement. On special Fridays dinner is prepared to be enjoyed with all guests gathering over one big table together. Occasionally dinner parties with food ranging from Scandinavian delicacies to slow food, with local wines and special seasonal organic offerings are organized. The food served at the Vukov Konak is rather seasonal and entirely organic: in the spring it is wild garlic, early summer comes with wild herbs, later summer and autumn are the best time for all fresh vegetables and mushrooms. All ingredients and supplies and food stuffs are as local as possible. The Vukov Konak also features a small garden for growing own herbs and vegetables. Milk and most of dairy products are provided by a neighbor in the village. Owners of the Vukov Konak – the Wolf Inn regularly go to the Sarajevo market for vegetables they can’t produce or buy on the mountain. Honey is purchased from a village some 30 km away, and some special oils used for preparation of the amazing food come from Korčula island in Croatia and Prekmurje region in Slovenia.
Visitors can enjoy a real Finnish sauna at Vukov konak! Owners welcome all their guests to experience this unique atmosphere of peace and magic. Traditionally the sauna is place to relax, unwind, bathe, and heal. It is a space for solitude or to be enjoyed with family and friends and also thought to be a sacred place. The health benefits of sauna include rise of endorphin levels, relieving of asthmatic symptoms, and lowering of blood pressure. Overall the experience is good for the body and soul: the soothing warmth makes one feel safe and comfortable, and the natural and slow perspiration is a great way to release some toxins of the body.
You can either simply book the sauna for bathing, or add a complete sauna experience to your visit here; be it team building, hiking, long lunch or dinner with friends, etc. In the summer owners are happy to serve visitors drinks and dinner on the sauna terrace with a beautiful view to the opposite hill. And in the winter time dinner is ready by the fire in the main house. It is advisable to book the sauna a little bit beforehand, especially if you are wishing for a specific time or service. The sauna of the Vukov Konak – the Wolf Inn features a wood burning stove brought directly from Finland and all wooden interior is made by the diligent owner Jasmin. The Vukov Konak Sauna features – Place the linen bench covers on the benches (provided by us), and sit or lie down on the bench; Use water in the wood bucket to throw some water on the stove – this gives a little steam and moist heat to the air; Use plastic buckets and scoop to mix cold (from the outside water system) and hot water (from the stove tank) for washing yourself; ‘Shower’ yourself outside the sauna using the plastic bucket and scoop – in the fresh mountain air (or have a modern shower in the main house); Be aware of the stove, it is burning hot! DO NOT touch the stove stones or its sides under any circumstance; It is advisable to bath without any clothing (if you wish to cover yourself, use a bath towel instead), underwear or swimming wear really isn’t comfortable for sauna; Many people like to sprinkle a little water over themselves before entering the heat, others may want to cover their hair with a towel; Feel free to use the soaps and shampoos (in a basket in the dressing room)!; Most enjoy sauna when the temperature is 60-80°C, if the heat feels overwhelming, it is perfectly ok to have a break on the terrace and even leave the steam room door open for a moment. The Finnish sauna of the Vukov Konak – the Wolf Inn is all about enjoying and taking it easy – it’s not a sport or an achievement, but a perfect way to relax and give yourself some time off. For a larger group or special occasions sauna is we also rented for a whole evening. The sauna is heated traditionally for Christmas, New Years Eve and Midsummer Night, and as often as anyone at Vukov Konak likes to have a good sauna bath.
On the Bosnian mountains time stops, and visitors experience how people have lived here for hundreds of years, closely connected with harsh nature. Spring is the time when the melting snow feeds from the mountains into the rivers in streams and waterfalls. The movement of water at the top of the nearby waterfall can flatten rocks at the edge. During their stay at the Vukov Konak – the Wolf Inn visitors can really enjoy in various outdoor activities – hiking, mount-biking, have their meals outside on hiking trails, visit local farmers and taste some of their rakija, and dine by the fire enjoying some of the best dishes native to the mountain areas. It is here, at the latest, where everyone forgets worries, and endless amount of time and calmness takes over. Suddenly looking up at the sky or having a chat with the village sheep is the most important thing you’ll do in a day.
Sarajevo is an exciting, truly multicultural city with a warm soul. It smells of coffee and sweets, meats being prepared for dinner, and smoke from the thousands chimneys of small houses on the hills. It’s loud, but welcoming, rugged, but beautiful, full of cultures and contrasts. Sarajevo and its interesting surroundings provide various options for memorable and relaxed vacations. Here you meet the locals and their original lifestyle, taste smells and flavors of local delicacies and traditional dishes, have fun and learn cooking traditions on a workshop, drink strong Bosnian coffee, local wines and traditional rakija, get a crush on the ancient culture and lifestyle of Bosnia and Herzegovina, visit local farmers and artisans, chop wood, shop at the farmers’ market, go hiking, eat outside, watch the stars and feel the freedom and serenity and listen to the quietness of the nature. All this while enjoying a relaxed and hospitable atmosphere in one of the most beautiful countries in Europe.