HISTORY: BRÁDLER’S CABINS AND THE BEAR’S HUT
The story of a mountain enclave where time passes differently.
On the southern slope of the main ridge of the Krkonoše Mountains, between the Dvorský and Medvědí streams, lies an unassuming yet historically significant site—Brádlerovy boudy. Together with the nearby Medvědí bouda, it forms a small mountain enclave covering roughly thirteen hectares, spread out at an elevation between 1,000 and 1,200 meters. Today it serves as a peaceful retreat for tourists, but its past is far more dramatic and rich.
This area did not form naturally—its appearance is the result of human activity. As early as the 17th century, the original forests were cleared to make way for mountain farming. This gave rise to the typical Krkonoše huts and pastures, which were used for summer grazing of livestock.
The enclave lay on the border of two estates, Vrchlabí and Jilemnice, making it a strategically and economically significant territory. Disputes over the border had been ongoing since the 16th century and were not merely formal—they were often accompanied by violent clashes. The Sedmidolí area was valued at the time for its extensive forests, abundance of game and fish, and presumed mineral wealth. A definitive settlement between the noble families was not reached until 1690 in Vienna, and the border was precisely demarcated two decades later.
The first documented mention of the Brádler huts dates back to 1676, when Vilém Bradler built the first structure here. However, some sources suggest that the history goes back even further—perhaps as far back as the 1630s. Whatever the truth may be, one thing is certain: for more than two centuries, life at the huts was inextricably linked to cattle breeding.
The herders—known as “boudaři”—lived here in simple conditions, and their daily lives were dictated by the rhythm of nature. They made butter, cheese, and cottage cheese, tended their herds, and survived the long mountain winters. The atmosphere of life back then is also captured in contemporary memories, which describe communal evenings in simple rooms, shared with both people and animals.
“It was getting dark when I settled into a simple room at the Bradlerovka inn.
I felt better there than among the gentry in the Petrovka dining room;
I felt at ease in the company of simple mountain folk and their—animals.
A large cat rubbed against me for scraps of smoked meat, and a huge
dog looked up at me good-naturedly from the corner where
he had been banished so as not to bother the guest. By the stove, every now and then
something stirred in a handful of straw. It was a cold-sensitive
calf, to whom its mother sent expressions of longing and yearning,
which, however, were greatly muffled by the two doors. After a meager
supper (coffee), the old man of the house—the winter caretaker of the hut—
sat down to work with his mother, sons, a young woman, and a boy. They were making
chocolate boxes, and since I had a sharp knife, I did not
stand idly by for long. Although everyone praised
my skill, I did not fail to notice how the old man at times
expertly and carefully examined my pieces."
About 500 meters south of the main group stands Medvědí bouda (Bear Hut), named after the nearby Medvědí důl (Bear Mine). It was here in 1726 that the last bear of the Krkonoše Mountains was shot—a symbolic moment that closed a chapter in the mountains’ wild history.
The hut itself was likely built in the early 19th century by Heinrich Hollmann, although some sources suggest an earlier origin. The small, single-room structure gradually evolved into a full-fledged mountain lodge. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, an inn for passersby was added, followed later by guest rooms, running water, and central heating. In the summer, visitors were drawn to the outdoor terraces; in the winter, by the proximity of the snow-covered slopes.
The late 19th century brought a fundamental transformation to the Krkonoše Mountains—the development of tourism. What had previously been purely an economic base began to open up to visitors. Brádler’s huts gradually transformed into mountain inns and became an important stop along the ridgeline trails.
One of these was the “U Velkého Šišáku” inn, which had been in operation since 1890. Although it burned down in 1912, it was quickly rebuilt and continued to serve tourists. However, the history of the huts is also linked to the darker moments of the 20th century—changes in ownership, wartime events, and the postwar fates of local residents.
The enclave also included other structures, such as the Mléčná bouda, which was renowned for its high-quality dairy production. However, it was destroyed by fire twice and was never rebuilt. Nearby stands the smaller Laura hut, which has retained its intimate character to this day.
After World War II, some of the buildings came under the administration of the Czech Tourist Club, which manages them to this day. Thanks in part to this, the site has retained its original character without massive development.
The current appearance of the Brádler huts is not just about history, but also about sensitive stewardship of the landscape. Thanks to the revival of traditional farming practices, sheep grazing, and the maintenance of mountain meadows, rare plant species typical of the Krkonoše landscape are returning here.
The place thus feels authentic and peaceful—as if time has slowed down here. No crowds, no noise, just the wind rustling through the spruce trees and views that remind us of how rugged and beautiful the mountains can be.
Brádlerovy boudy and Medvědí bouda are not just destinations for a day trip today. They are a living chronicle of the Krkonoše Mountains—a place where the stories of people who managed to live, work, and survive in the mountains were written.
Source: History of the Krkonoše Mountain Huts
