Vodnikov dom na Velem polju

Vodnikov dom na Velem polju is a mountain hut (planinska postojanka) in the Slovenian Julian Alps, situated at 1,817 metres on a small terrace at the foot of the western slopes of Tosc, just above Velo polje. It is named after the Slovene poet and priest Valentin Vodnik (1758–1819), commemorating the centenary of his ascent of Mali Triglav on 20 August 1795. The hut is owned and operated by the Planinsko društvo Srednja vas v Bohinju (PD Srednja vas v Bohinju), a local mountaineering association affiliated with the Planinska zveza Slovenije (Slovenian Alpine Association). The first wooden hut on the site, called Vodnikova koča, was built by the Radovljica branch of the SPD and ceremonially opened on 19 August 1895. In 1909 it was dismantled, moved to its present location, enlarged and clad in wood. After repeated repairs it slowly deteriorated, and after the Second World War it was taken over by PD Bohinj-Srednja vas. Because the old hut was dilapidated and visitor numbers were rising, a new hut was built between 1954 and 1958 and solemnly opened on 31 August 1958, when it was renamed Vodnikov dom. Major facade works were carried out in 1986, and members of the association continue to maintain the hut. The hut is open from the beginning of June to mid-October. Its dining room seats 50 guests. Accommodation comprises 11 rooms with 47 beds, 26 dormitory places, and a winter room with 8 beds. Facilities include toilets, a washroom with hot and cold water, showers, a dining area heated by a farm stove, running water, a generator for electricity, and photovoltaics. The hut offers a fine view of Triglav and the surrounding peaks; the western slopes of Tosc rise to the east, while Velo polje lies to the south and west. As a mountain hut rather than a conventional commercial brand, Vodnikov dom functions as a trademarked and named alpine hospitality establishment within Slovenia's network of mountain huts. It serves hikers on routes such as the 5-hour ascent from Stara Fužina via Planinska koča na Uskovnici, the 4.5-hour route via Planinska koča na Vojah, and the 4-hour route from Kovinarska koča v Krmi over Bohinjska vratca. It is also a staging point for climbs and traverses, including the 3-hour route to Triglav via Dom Planika and the 2-hour crossing to Triglavski dom na Kredarici over Konjsko sedlo and Kalvarija.

The history of Vodnikov dom na Velem polju begins in the late 19th century. The first mountain hut on Velo polje was built and opened on 19 August 1895 by the Radovljica branch of the SPD (Slovensko planinsko društvo). It was named Vodnikova koča in memory of the 100th anniversary of the ascent of the Slovene poet Valentin Vodnik (1758–1819) to Mali Triglav on 20 August 1795. Just days after the opening, on 22 August 1895, the hut was visited by Jakob Aljaž. In 1909 the hut was dismantled, moved to its present location, enlarged and clad in wood. It was repaired several times but nevertheless slowly decayed. After the Second World War it was taken over by PD Bohinj-Srednja vas. Because the old hut was dilapidated and visitor numbers kept growing, the association decided to build a new station. Construction took place between 1954 and 1958, and the new hut was solemnly opened on 31 August 1958, when it was renamed Vodnikov dom. The hut has also been renovated several times since; major work on the facade was carried out in 1986. Members of the association take care of the good maintenance of the station. The hut is open from the beginning of June to mid-October. Over time the hut has become a well-known staging point in the Julian Alps. It lies above the Velo polje valley at the foot of the slopes of Tosc and Vernar, and is named after the Slovene poet and priest Valentin Vodnik. Its guest area has 50 seats; accommodation has varied over the years, with the official website listing 47 beds in rooms, 26 dormitory places and an 8-bed winter room, while the Slovene Wikipedia article lists 22 beds in 8 rooms, 31 dormitory places and a 10-bed winter room. Facilities include toilets, a washroom with hot and cold water, showers, a dining area heated by a farm stove, running water, a generator for electricity, photovoltaics, and a mobile phone connection that has existed since 1993. The hut is a starting point for numerous hikes and traverses. Approaches include 5 hours from Stara Fužina via Planinska koča na Uskovnici (1,154 m), 4.5 hours from Stara Fužina via Planinska koča na Vojah (690 m), 4 hours from Kovinarska koča v Krmi (870 m) over Bohinjska vratca, and 3 hours from Rudno polje (1,340 m) over Studorski preval. Crossings include 2 hours to Triglavski dom na Kredarici (2,515 m) over Konjsko sedlo and Kalvarija (demanding), 2 hours to Dom Planika pod Triglavom (2,401 m) (demanding), 3 hours to Dom Valentina Staniča (2,332 m) over Konjsko sedlo and the slopes below Rž (demanding), 4 hours to Kovinarska koča v Krmi (870 m) over Bohinjska vratca (easy), 2 hours to Tržaška koča na Doliču (2,151 m) along the Velska dolina (easy), 4 hours to Zasavska koča na Prehodavcih (2,071 m) along the Velska dolina and over Hribarice (easy), 3 hours to Planinska koča na Vojah (690 m) (easy), 3 hours to Planinska koča na Uskovnici (1,154 m) over the Tosc and Trstje pastures (easy), 3 hours to Planinska koča na Uskovnici over Studorski preval (easy), 5 hours to Blejska koča na Lipanci over Studorski preval and the slopes of Draški vrh and Debeli vrh (1,630 m) (demanding), 5 hours to Koča na Planini pri Jezeru (1,453 m) over Jezerski and Lazovški preval and the Laz pasture (easy), 7 hours to Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih (1,685 m) along the Velska dolina and over Hribarice (easy), and 5 hours to Kosijev dom na Vogarju (1,054 m) over Jezerski preval and the Krstenica and Blato pastures (easy). Summit climbs from the hut include 3 hours to Triglav (2,864 m) via Dom Planika (very demanding), 3 hours to Mišelj vrh (2,350 m) (demanding pathless terrain), 3.5 hours to Mišeljski Konec (2,464 m) (demanding pathless terrain), 2 hours to Tosc (2,275 m) (easy unmarked path), and 1.5 hours to Vernar (2,225 m) (very demanding pathless terrain). The hut is also connected to the Julius Kugy Three Countries Trail, stage 11.

• 1993

  Mobile phone connection available at the hut.

• 1986

  Major facade renovation works carried out.

• 1958

  New hut solemnly opened on 31 August and renamed Vodnikov dom.

• 1954

  Construction of the new hut begins.

• 1909

  Hut dismantled, moved to its present location, enlarged and clad in wood.

• 1895

  First wooden hut, Vodnikova koča, built by the Radovljica branch of SPD and ceremonially opened on 19 August.

• 1895

  Jakob Aljaž visits the hut on 22 August.

A traditional Slovenian Alpine association mountain hut offering simple, well-maintained high-mountain accommodation and food to hikers in the Julian Alps.

• Overnight accommodation

  47 beds in 11 rooms, 26 dormitory places, and an 8-bed winter room according to the official website.

• Dining room

  50 seats in the guest area, heated by a farm stove.

• Hiker facilities

  Toilets, washroom with hot and cold water, showers, running water, generator, photovoltaics.

1. 1Vodnikov dom na Velem polju | Planinsko društvo Srednja vas v Bohinjupdsrednjavas.si
2. 2Vodnikov dom na Velem polju – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Vodnikov dom na Velem polju – Wikipedia (Slovenian)sl.wikipedia.org