From the original Libušín, ten percent will be used in the restored building

Rožnov p. R. - About eight to ten percent of the original Libušín will be used in the restored building at Pustevny. Milan Gesierich, the technical deputy of the Wallachian Open-Air Museum in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, which manages the monument, said this to ČTK today.

The restoration of the monument built in 1899 according to the design by architect Dušan Jurkovič is expected to be completed next year; construction began last June. Originally, Libušín served as a restaurant and was one of the symbols of the Beskydy Pustevny, but the building burned down four years ago. Today, the Minister of Culture in resignation, Ilja Šmíd (for ANO), visited the construction site.

"Initially, we thought we would save more. But as the burned elements became exposed, from a static point of view, we were unable to return those elements," Gesierich stated, noting that little of the decoration was salvaged. "But we do have documentation; we want to return it to its original state," he added.

The left side of the building is already standing and has also been roofed, though plastic sheeting is currently used instead of shingles. The right side, the actual Libušín, is built up to about three meters high. "A large part is already manufactured and assembled in the hall in Bystřička. The carpenters are creating additional elements. As soon as the weather allows, the prepared assembly will be put together here," said museum director Jindřich Ondruš. The new Libušín is expected to be completed in about a year and a half, after which an operator will be selected through a competition. The restoration is estimated to cost 100 million crowns.

Šmíd told ČTK today that he knows Libušín and has been to Pustevny in the past. "When I heard that Libušín burned down, it was a tragedy not only for the Wallachians and Wallachia but for everyone, for the entire republic. I am very glad that it is being returned to its original state, and maybe it will be even better," Šmíd stated.