The reconstruction of Libušín in the Beskids is complete, the museum is looking for tenants

Rožnov pod Radhoštěm - The reconstruction of the Libušín cottage in Pustevny in the Beskids is nearing completion. It is expected to open to the public after several years of reconstruction in the second half of July. The cottage, built in 1899 according to the design of architect Dušan Jurkovič, burned down on the night of March 3, 2014, and served as a dining hall. The building, along with the neighboring Maměnka hotel, is managed by the National Museum of Nature, which is now looking for tenants for both buildings. This was announced today by museum spokesman Tomáš Gross.

"The subject of the tender is the conclusion of a lease agreement for spaces used for business in the Maměnka building and the Libušín building in the cadastral area of Prostřední Bečva, for the operation of hospitality activities in the case of the Libušín dining room and accommodation services at the Maměnka hotel," said Jindřich Ondruš, the General Director of the National Museum of Nature. Interested parties can submit offers until May 20. "We also allow for the inspection of the buildings on site, on Thursday, May 14, at 12:00," the director stated. Information about the competition is available on the museum's website.

Libušín, a symbol of Pustevny along with other buildings, was declared a national cultural monument in 1995. Its interiors, adorned with motifs from Wallachian and Slovak legends, were a collaboration between Jurkovič and Mikoláš Aleš. The museum decided to restore the building after the fire. The construction of the new Libušín began in the summer of 2017, and it involved a scientific reconstruction, using original technologies.

The building is almost finished. "Only the furniture and some parts of the gastro equipment and finishing work are being completed. Essentially, it is done," said Milan Gesierich, the technical deputy of the Wallachian Museum of Nature in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, to ČTK today. According to him, the restoration of Libušín cost 117 million crowns. The building has slightly different colors, returning to its form from 1925 when all of its parts were completed. The museum has also previously completed the renovation of the facade of the neighboring Maměnka building, which was also designed by Jurkovič. The original colors have also returned to Maměnka.

The fire at the heritage-listed Libušín is still being dealt with by the Vsetín District Court. According to the indictment, the fire was caused by a man who neglected the repair of the chimney in 2007. He faces up to eight years in prison for general endangerment due to negligence.