ČT is mapping the restoration of the burned Libušín cottage in Pustevny

Ostrava - The Ostrava studio of Czech Television has prepared a documentary "Phoenix Named Libušín" mapping the reconstruction of the burned-down Libušín cottage in Pustevny. The construction took six years and cost 112 million crowns. The documentary will be presented by the television on December 25 on the ČT2 program. ČTK was informed today by the studio spokesperson Taťána Reková.

"The building of the legendary architect Dušan Jurkovič in the Beskydy Pustevny was reduced to ashes six years ago. Thanks to the skill of hundreds of specialists, a perfect replica now stands there. The story of the reconstruction of the famous Beskydy monument from the very beginning is titled 'Phoenix Named Libušín,'" she stated.

The construction had been part of the most famous Beskydy Art Nouveau buildings since 1899. Libušín was one of the biggest tourist attractions on the Czech-Slovak border. "What is remarkable is that this building was not commissioned by any office or state, but by the Pohorská jednota Radhošť. The people who loved that place, who walked in the mountains, had it in their skin. They brought in the builder Mr. Urbánek, and he brought in the then young architect Dušan Jurkovič," said dramaturg Josef Albrecht.

Libušín burned down on March 3, 2014. Many people appeared seeking its restoration. "And it was that incredibly large response, solidarity, and togetherness that was the first impulse for me. I started thinking about filming a documentary and a story. Suddenly, something incredible happened; people began to spontaneously organize a fundraiser," said creative producer Lenka Poláková.

The so-called scientific reconstruction, involving over three hundred craftsmen, took six years and cost nearly 112 million crowns. In a voluntary fundraising campaign, nearly 11 million crowns were raised in the Czech Republic. The new Libušín was opened on July 30, 2020. From the very beginning, the story of the reconstruction of the cottage was followed by the documentary team of Aleš Koudela. For six years, he filmed with architects, preservationists, witnesses, and especially with craftsmen.