Lysá hora has its Bezruč's chalet again after 37 years

Ostravice (Frýdecko-Místecko) - More than 1000 people arrived this morning at the top of Lysá hora in the Beskids, where Bezruč's hut reopened at 11:00 after 37 years. For now, it offers visitors only a restaurant, and later accommodation as well. The original hut from 1934 burned down in 1978. The cause of the fire was never determined; it is speculated that a faulty electrical installation was to blame. The construction of the new building, which is a replica of the original hut, was carried out by the Czech Tourist Club (KČT). The project was primarily financed from donations. Jiří Stejskalík, head of the KČT technical section, told ČTK.
    "The weather is not on our side. It got worse, it is raining. Moreover, there are many competing events in the vicinity. However, people are still flowing to the top," Stejskalík said just before the festive opening of the hut. Originally, the organizers of today's event expected that up to 3000 people would arrive at the top.
    Despite today's ceremonial opening of the hut, a large part of it will remain closed to the public. Full use is currently hindered by the absence of an occupancy permit. "I expect we will have it by the end of September. We plan a full opening in October. Until then, only the restaurant will be accessible to the public. Accommodation capacities will remain closed," explained Stejskalík.
    The Czech Tourist Club is financing Bezruč's hut through a public collection and donations. "The original project was supposed to cost 56 million crowns. However, actual costs will not exceed 32 million. People are contributing not only money. We are also receiving materials or services provided to us free of charge," Stejskalík noted.
    The hut opened today is a replica of the original, which the KČT had built for around 600,000 crowns. The cornerstone was laid in 1933. Poet Petr Bezruč was also invited to the ceremony. However, he apologized in verse: "I did not want to go to Lysá, my son ran through the mountains in August, let there be joy with you and may the day be splendid with you." The lodge was first opened in December 1934. The hut had 12 rooms, two dormitories, an apartment for the tenant, central heating, hot water, and a kitchen.
    In the afternoon of 1978, the hut burned down. The cause of the fire was not clearly determined, and there was speculation about a faulty electrical installation. A three-year-old son of a kitchen helper perished in the fire. For decades, only the ruins reminded of the hut at the highest peak of the Beskids. In addition to refreshments and accommodation, the new hut aims to offer education. "We want to go the way of ecological education. We want to work with children," Stejskalík said earlier.