The roofing of the burned Libušín at Pustevny is complete

Rožnov pod Radhoštěm (Vsetínsko) - The roofing of the Libušín lodge on Pustevny in Vsetín, which burned down at the beginning of March, is now complete. Jindřich Ondruš, the director of the Wallachian Open Air Museum in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, which manages the cultural monument, told ČTK today. The structure protects the building from the adverse weather conditions at an altitude of about 1000 meters above sea level and will remain on site until the planned restoration of Libušín.
    The burned monument, which served as a restaurant, is covered by a steel structure measuring about 13 by 41 meters and approximately nine meters high. “The roofing is complete; we just need to secure the side protective nets better due to the wind,” Ondruš said. “We have completed the security phase; we will not dismantle the remaining structure of Libušín; we will try to preserve as much as possible,” the director noted.
    The fire primarily destroyed the right side of Libušín, the most artistically valuable dining hall. The museum has decided on a scientific reconstruction of the building, which is part of the group of Art Nouveau folk buildings and symbols of Pustevny in the Beskydy mountains. The lodge, designed by Slovak architect Dušan Jurkovič, was opened in 1899. According to Ondruš, project documentation is currently being competed for. “A contractor for the construction could be selected around the turn of September and October,” Ondruš stated.
    The fire caused damage of about 80 million crowns, with the cause of the fire being a mistake during a previous reconstruction of the stove with the chimney. The restoration of the monument should mainly be covered by insurance; the museum has launched a public collection for further work, which has nearly seven million crowns. The restored Libušín could be completed within three years.
    Various charity events are raising awareness of the misfortune and significance of the monument, with several donation boxes placed around the region. The restoration of Libušín will also be discussed at the Colours of Ostrava music festival, which will take place this week. Festival visitors will be able to contribute to the donation boxes, and a special fundraising place stylized as a Wallachian wooden cottage will also highlight the monument. The festival will also bring Pustevny closer to its visitors through discussions, featuring talks about the uniqueness of Libušín and other buildings at Pustevny designed by Jurkovič.