Fire damage to historic mountain chalet estimated in the tens of millions

Fire damage to an historic mountain chalet known as “Libušín” - designed by Art Nouveau era architect Dušan Jurkovič and inspired by folk architecture - is likely to total tens of millions of crowns. The chalet, which served as a restaurant in Pustevny in the Beskydy Mountains in the east of the country, erupted in a blaze on Sunday; as a national heritage site the true extent of the damage is practically incalculable, experts say. More than 70 firefighters worked to get the fire under control but strong winds stoked the flames on the roof and through the interiors, which featured frescoes and sgraffiti designed by Czech painter Mikoláš Aleš. The chalet, named after the mythical Princess Libuše, was opened in 1899.

Author: Jan Velinger