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Slovácko Hut

Stručná odpověď

The Slovácká Búda was a historic building in Luhačovice designed by Slovak architect Dušan Jurković in 1906, originally commissioned by the Skalica Commercial Cooperative for wine storage and sales. Located on the slope of Malá Kamenná, it later became a popular restaurant and gathering place for Czechoslovak cultural and political elite. Today, only stone foundations remain.



Few people know and are aware of where exactly the once-famous Slovácká Búda stood. For many people, it comes as a complete surprise when they discover the stone foundations of this building on the hilly slope. This lost building was also constructed according to the designs of Slovak architect Dušan Jurković. Luhačovice flourished thanks to his famous buildings – Jurković’s House, the Sun and River Baths and the Inhalatorium. The Slovácká Búda stood on the slope of Malá Kamenná. Many who remember it recall it unobscured by shrubs, full of guests and with views over the Czechoslovakian White Carpathians.

 

The Beginnings of the Slovácká Búda

It was built according to Jurković’s designs in 1906. It was his penultimate work in Luhačovice. The construction commission was given by the Skalica Commercial Cooperative. The company representatives wanted premises for storing and subsequently selling wine. Later, Slovak specialities were added to the offering. From 1911, the búda expanded and began to change both its appearance and its owners. The popular addition of a dance hall was carried out under the direction of a different architect.

The interior spaces of the búda were frequented by Czechoslovakian journalistic, literary and political elite. During summer days and evenings, the building served as a popular restaurant and wine bar. On the terrace, brass bands played and people danced. During the Second World War, German soldiers came to Luhačovice for treatment, but even during this time the búda served its purpose. The same was true when the business was nationalised in 1948. The same use continued until the time of the Velvet Revolution. And even then it changed owners again, this time to private hands. The Slovácká Búda remained a popular place for lively and dance-filled evenings. 


Those Who Hadn’t Visited the Búda, Hadn’t Really Been There

The búda was also frequently visited by the famous composer Leoš Janáček, who used Luhačovice for his recreation and composed his opera in the spa. The famous Mrštík brothers also visited here. At that time, the búda was still called the Slovenská. The local cuisine was renowned, offering mainly Slovak specialities such as Skalica gingerbread, chimney cakes, pogácska, Pressburg rusks and Czech gingerbread. 

When the cooperative ended its operations in Luhačovice in 1913, the búda was bought by a new owner who renamed it the Slovácká. This made the old saying even more true – those who hadn’t visited the Slovácká Búda hadn’t really been to Luhačovice. After the revolution, it went through restitution and also several owners. Interest in it declined, partly due to irregular opening hours. 


The Mystery of the Devastating Fire

It was 2002, shortly before Christmas, when a watchman from a nearby spa building spotted fire around three o’clock in the morning that had engulfed the Slovácká Búda. Within half an hour, firefighters were on the scene, later reinforcements arrived from Slavičín and Zlín. They got the fire under control after about 3 hours, with obstacles being not just the flames but also severe frost. However, the building was reduced to ashes, fortunately no one was injured. The establishment wasn’t operating during winter anyway. 


Initial damage estimates were high, with talk of up to fifteen million crowns in losses due to the historical value of the building. In the end, the figures were lower. The búda was then owned by an owner from Prague, who leased it out. There was even speculation about intentional arson and insurance fraud. However, the investigation revealed nothing, although it is certain that the búda was set on fire deliberately. Since 2002, the Luhačovice slope has been growing wild and the remains of the famous restaurant are disappearing beneath ivy. Today, only hikers who wander up towards the forests discover it. Despite the fact that many enthusiasts say they would revive the glory of the Slovácká Búda, one thing is certain. The place continues to decay.

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