NPÚ will determine the method of restoring Petrov's hut based on surveys

Špindlerův Mlýn (Trutnovsko) - The National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) will determine a possible method of restoring Petrova bouda based on the results of current surveys and assessments. NPÚ informed ČTK today in a press release. A large fire damaged Petrova bouda on the ridge of the Krkonoš Mountains at the beginning of August.
    "NPÚ is conducting documentation of the preserved remnants, a historical assessment, and defining the preserved heritage values that should be preserved," the heritage experts stated. The resulting materials will serve as a basis for the anticipated discussions with the owner of the hut regarding the restoration of Petrova bouda.
    The company Snowy Chalet had previously stated that the site of the fire should be cleared by the beginning of this winter. After the debris is removed, a structural engineer will assess the condition of the building's remnants. The company's representative Karel Janda had previously told ČTK that the company will negotiate with the heritage experts about the restoration of the hut.
    According to the heritage experts, Petrova bouda was one of the most popular and progressive structures in the context of Krkonoš huts and the tourist traffic that developed during the 19th and 20th centuries. They consider the construction of the southern hotel building in 1887 to be a pioneering architectural endeavor. In 1901, the northern hotel building with a flat roof was constructed on the site of the original hut. "Here, the foundation of Petrova bouda's heritage values should be seen, complemented very well in the 1920s by an expanded connecting wing and architecturally unified verandas," the heritage experts stated.
    According to the heritage experts, it is necessary to treat the burned remnants as a cultural monument and it is essential to strive for the restoration of the building. "Such an approach has already proven effective in the restoration of the fire-damaged church of St. Catherine in Ostrava - Hrabová or the belfry in Železný Brod," the experts stated.
    Petrova bouda burned down on Monday, August 1, and only part of the outer walls and the transformer station were salvaged from the entire complex of three buildings. During the examination of the rubble, a police dog indicated four places where chemical substances might be present. From the marked locations, police technicians secured burned debris, which was sent for expert analyses.
    The results of the analyses will not be disclosed by the police, as doing so would jeopardize the further course of the investigation. Both the police and firefighters stated that foul play is the most likely cause of the fire. "We are still continuing the investigation; no one has been charged in connection with the fire yet," said a spokesperson for the Trutnov police to ČTK today.
    Petrova bouda, which is located at an altitude of 1288 meters above sea level, has been closed to tourists since 2008. In recent years, the building has suffered from dampness and vandalism. According to some experts, the building was at risk of collapsing due to its poor technical condition.