The renovation of Libušín is finishing up, and it could open to the public before summer

photo: Patriot magazine, https://www.patriotmagazin.cz/

Rožnov pod Radhoštěm - The restoration of the burned-down Libušín lodge at Pustevny in the Beskids is nearing completion, the exterior of the building is nearly finished, and many works have also been completed inside. Milan Gesierich, the technical deputy of the Wallachian Open-Air Museum in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm in the Vsetín region, which manages Libušín, stated this today to ČTK. Libušín could be opened to the public next year before the summer tourist season. The lodge, built in 1899 according to the design of architect Dušan Jurkovič, burned down on the night of March 2 to 3, 2014. The museum then decided to restore the building.

"The facade is finished in terms of timber architecture and painting, the weather has favored us, so Libušín has a completely new look, with just the windows still being added," said Gesierich. The courtyard has also been completed, where the atrium was paved, and rough landscaping in front of Libušín is finished.

"Work is finishing in the interior, where tiled stoves are currently being built in Libušín and the Parmova extension. Technologies that are slightly delaying us are being finalized, it is complicated to incorporate them into timber architecture," added Gesierich. The interior at Libušín has finished painting, and now the cladding from the floor to the plaster and window cladding is being completed. "Carpentry work should be completed by January. We have already started with the underpainting of wooden elements on the ceilings, but the final coatings will be done only after all dusty processes are finished, once the floors and all carpentry work are completed," said Gesierich. Interior work can also proceed because heating is already in place using heat pumps. Work will continue in early January after the Christmas holidays.

Furniture for the interior is already being made, chairs are finished, and tables are being completed. "The furniture should be ready soon, after the cladding and painting are finished, side benches will be made," added Gesierich. According to him, construction work should be finished by the end of March, the interior and kitchen equipment by the end of April, after which occupancy will be addressed.

The museum originally considered opening Libušín for the anniversary of the fire in March. However, the date has been pushed back due to the complexity of the work, especially the technologies. The museum, according to Gesierich, also emphasizes high quality in craftsmanship. The construction of the new Libušín began in the summer of 2017.

The restoration of Libušín is expected to cost 100 million crowns. The building will have slightly different colors, returning to the appearance it had in 1925 when all parts were completed. The body of the building will be lighter, and the shades of colors will change, with red being less pronounced than before, and the previous white will have a slight ochre tint. The museum also recently completed the renovation of the facade of the adjacent Maměnka building, which was also designed by Jurkovič, restoring Maměnka's original color scheme.

The fire of the monument-protected Libušín is now being addressed by the district court in Vsetín. According to the indictment, a man caused the fire by neglecting to repair the chimney in 2007. He faces up to eight years in prison for causing general danger through negligence.