On the quiet southeastern slope of Dívčí kameny, at an altitude exceeding a thousand meters, stands one of the most picturesque buildings in the Krkonoše – the Moravian Hut.

Today it is a popular destination for tourists and lovers of the mountain atmosphere, but its history stretches far back into the past, to a time when the local mountain meadows were used primarily by herders and haymakers.

The area around today’s Moravská bouda has been used since the 17th century. The extensive mountain meadows provided ideal conditions for summer grazing and hay drying. Yet for a long time, no permanent structures stood here. The reason was simple—the territory was among the areas subject to long-standing border disputes.

It was only after these disputes were resolved that the first seasonal shepherding structures began to appear on the local meadows. As late as 1842, there were five simple cottages on the vast mountain plateau below Petrova bouda, which served as a refuge for shepherds and their herds during the summer months.

To this day, the area around Moravská bouda forms an interesting collection of mountain structures. Here we find, for example, Novopacká bouda, built in the 1930s, the historic Spindler chalet, and the former Zinecker chalet, now known as Vatra. Further down in the valley stand Davidova bouda and the exceptionally valuable Sedmidolí hut, which has retained its original Krkonoše appearance with a typical hipped roof to this day.

The second half of the 19th century brought a new phenomenon to the Krkonoše Mountains—tourism. The first visitors began to discover the beauty of the mountain landscape, and local farmers quickly realized that in addition to agriculture, they could also offer refreshments and lodging.

The current Czech name may seem somewhat puzzling. In fact, this place has nothing to do with Moravia.

The origin of the name goes back to the nearby Davidova bouda, after which the entire mountain enclave was known in German as Davidbauden. Gradual corruption of the name gave rise to the term Daftebaude. It was from this name that today’s name, Moravská bouda, evolved after World War II.

During World War II, the lodge took on a completely different use. It served the German army as a training center where young recruits prepared for service in demanding mountain conditions.

Soldiers underwent intensive ski training here on the steep slopes of the Krkonoše Mountains. Many of them were from the lowlands and had no experience with skiing. The mountain conditions, steep slopes, and harsh winter weather presented a true test of their courage and physical endurance.

At that time, the lodge served as a dormitory, a training base, and a site for military exercises. It thus witnessed one of the most dramatic chapters in its history.

After the war, Moravská bouda passed into Czech hands and was operated by the state-owned enterprise Restaurace a jídelny. Unlike many other mountain structures, however, it underwent only sensitive renovations, thanks to which it retained its original character.

Visitors can still admire a number of historical features here that evoke the era of First Republic-era mountain hotels. The most eye-catching feature is a unique carved wooden chandelier from 1932. It is decorated with motifs of life in the Krkonoše Mountains, figures of mountain dwellers, and traditional mountain scenes. It is one of the most interesting preserved interior elements of its kind in the entire Krkonoše region.

Today, Moravská bouda is the perfect stop for anyone wishing to experience the authentic atmosphere of the old Krkonoše Mountains. It is surrounded by vast mountain meadows, views of the surrounding ridges, and a tranquility that is increasingly hard to find in the modern world.

Its story is the story of mountain herders, the first tourists, soldiers, and generations of lodge keepers who sustained life here for more than 150 years. It is thanks to them that Moravská bouda has retained its unique charm and remains one of the most interesting mountain structures in the Špindlerův Mlýn area to this day.

Source: History of the Krkonoše Mountain Huts