Log cabin of Petr Bezruč

The Log Cabin of Petr Bezruč in Ostravice is the wooden cottage where the Czech poet spent the final years of his life, now preserved as a small museum dedicated to his work and personal story. It sits at the foot of Lysá hora, the highest peak of the Moravian-Silesian Beskids, tucked away from the busier tourist trails.

Who was Petr Bezruč?

Petr Bezruč was the pen name of Vladimír Vašek (1867–1958), one of the most significant Czech poets of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He became known for his collection "Silesian Songs" (Slezské písně), which portrayed the harsh living conditions of people in the Silesian region in a sharp, defiant tone. Bezruč was also a passionate hiker and lover of the mountains — many places across the Beskids carry his name today simply because he genuinely spent time there, not as symbolic tributes. He chose to spend his last years in this very cabin in Ostravice, close to the trails leading up to Lysá hora.

What can you see inside?

After the poet's death in 1958, the cabin was taken over by the Silesian Regional Museum (Slezské zemské muzeum) as part of his estate. The interior has been preserved exactly as the poet arranged it himself — furniture, tools, and everyday objects stand where they stood during his lifetime. This was made possible thanks to Zdenka Tomášková, Bezruč's long-time assistant, who helped museum staff recreate the original layout after his death. As a result, the space feels like an authentic, lived-in writer's home rather than a staged exhibit. Right next to the main cabin stands a small woodshed, which now houses an additional museum display covering the poet's life and literary work.

How do you get there?

The cabin is located in Ostravice, in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids, close to the border with Poland. The most natural way to reach it is on foot — a blue-marked hiking trail leading up to the summit of Lysá hora starts near the building, popular with hikers setting out from Ostravice as well as neighboring villages such as Pstruží and Malenovice. This makes it easy to combine a visit to the cabin with a longer mountain hike through the Beskids.

When is the best time to visit?

Because of its small scale and museum character, it's worth checking current opening times before you go — as a branch of the Silesian Regional Museum, the cabin tends to operate seasonally or with limited hours. Spring, summer, and early autumn are the best seasons to visit, when the trails toward Lysá hora are dry and easy to walk, and the round trip to the cabin can be planned as a relaxed, half-day outing.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the actual cabin where Petr Bezruč lived? Yes. It is the authentic cottage where the poet spent his final years, not a reconstruction or a purely symbolic monument.

Who manages the site today? The cabin belongs to the Silesian Regional Museum (Slezské zemské muzeum), which took it over after the poet's death in 1958 along with the rest of his estate.

Can I combine the visit with hiking Lysá hora? Yes, a blue-marked trail to the summit starts near the cabin, so you can easily pair the visit with a mountain hike.

Is there anything else to see besides the cabin itself? Yes, a woodshed stands next to the cabin and houses an additional exhibition about Petr Bezruč's life and work.