Libušín will be restored after the fire, it will be covered by insurance and donations

Rožnov p. R. (Vsetín Region) - The Libušín lodge in Pustevny, which was hit by a major fire on Monday night, will be restored. The costs will mainly be covered by insurance, and the museum, together with local governments and associations, also announced a public fundraising today, said Jindřich Ondruš, director of the Wallachian Open-Air Museum in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, to reporters. The museum manages the building, which is a national cultural monument designed by architect Dušan Jurkovič.
The fire caused estimated damages of 80 million crowns; due to the high damage, it is being investigated by detectives, and the cause is unknown. The police have not ruled out that the building was intentionally set on fire. They have preliminarily classified the fire as a general danger.
The lodge was part of the collection of the most famous Art Nouveau folk buildings in the Beskids, which have become a symbol of Pustevny. Heritage conservationists speak of an incalculable cultural loss. The fire primarily affected the right side of the building, where the most artistically valuable dining room was located. "It can be estimated that about 80 percent was destroyed," Ondruš told ČTK today. "We'll see what can be salvaged; today we have a meeting with the structural engineer," said Milan Gesierich, the museum's technical deputy. Libušín functioned as a restaurant. Fortunately, the fire did not affect the neighboring Maměnka hotel, which was also designed by Jurkovič.
"The entire Libušín as state property is covered by insurance. What the insurance payout will be is what we will discuss on Thursday with representatives of the insurance company and the Ministry of Culture, which has already declared its support," Ondruš stated. The insurance money will be supplemented by the proceeds from the public fundraising. People can send money to account 107-6978880207/0100.
The museum intends to rescue some parts from the fire site in the coming days. "We will store elements that can be removed and are salvable and reusable. Those that need to remain will be secured and covered to prevent theft or damage," said the museum director. According to him, the restoration of the building will be demanding; compared to the original state, larger fire protection measures are expected, for example. "A new building permit will need to be obtained, and other work will need to be included, not just restoring the state to that of 1999 when the last repair took place," Ondruš said.
The lodge should be restored not only structurally but also serve the same purpose. According to museum officials, it will be of significance even though it will be newly built, to complement the complex of buildings in Pustevny. "For tourism and Pustevny, the building of Libušín is very significant. The fire was as catastrophic as if the National Theatre had burned down, which is why the motto 'Valaši sobě' is appropriate here," said the mayor of Rožnov, Markéta Blinková (ODS). Local firms have also come forward to help restore Libušín.
The building named after the legendary princess Libuše was opened in 1899. The interior was adorned with frescoes and sgraffito featuring motifs from Wallachian and Slovak legends according to designs by Mikoláš Aleš. Unique items included three Art Nouveau chandeliers, a sideboard, a greenhouse, and a clock.