It witnessed the heyday of mountain tourism, visits from artists and princes, two world wars, and became a symbol of life on the main ridge of the Krkonoše Mountains.

Few mountain huts in the Krkonoše Mountains have such a rich and dramatic history as Petrova bouda, known among mountain dwellers simply as Petrovka.

The history of Petrovka stretches far back into the past, to a time when there were no tourist cabins on the ridges of the Krkonoše Mountains. Originally, it was just a simple summer hut that served shepherds tending their herds during the summer grazing season.

The first structure was very simple—a wooden shelter providing basic protection from inclement weather. It remained abandoned during the winter, and its windows and doors were carefully boarded up to withstand the wind and snowdrifts.

Back then, tourists hardly ever ventured into the mountains. Aside from the herders, the only visitors were prospectors, herbalists, or travelers, to whom the farmers offered modest refreshments such as milk, butter, or cheese. People slept on hay.

Petrovka stands in a unique location just above the tree line on the southeastern slope of Dívčí kameny, practically in the middle of the main Krkonoše ridge.

From here, magnificent views open up:

- to the north toward Jelení Hora and Ślęża Hill,

- to the south across the Kozí Hřbety ridges and Zlaté Návrší all the way to the Elbe Valley.

The lodge stood directly on the historic border between Bohemia and Silesia, which today lies between the Czech Republic and Poland.

Petrovka was named after the old Krkonoše family of the Pittermanns, whose surname was gradually corrupted over time into “Petrovka.”

The first written mention of the lodge dates back to the Thirty Years’ War. The mountain records of the Vrchlabí estate note that Eliáš Zinecker acquired the land and built a house on the Silesian Trail.

It was the Zinecker family that later became inextricably linked to the history of Petrovka.

A major turning point came in 1811, when Petrovka transformed from a summer shelter into a year-round cabin.

A stone stable was built, along with a log-framed living area made of massive spruce beams and a typical shingle roof with a covered porch. Cattle raising remained the main source of livelihood.

At the same time, however, the first wave of visitors began to arrive, discovering the beauty of the Krkonoše Mountains.

In the summer of 1847, brothers Josef and Quido Mánes stayed at Petrovka.

Both created a series of sketches and landscape studies there. Josef Mánes depicted the cabin in his drawing *Welcoming a Guest at Petrovka Cabin*; his brother Quido created the well-known colored drawing *Welcoming Guests at Petrovka Cabin in the Krkonoše Mountains* (*The Italian Musicians*).

To this day, these works rank among the most valuable artistic testimonies to the appearance of the Krkonoše Mountains at that time.

The first actual guest rooms were not built until 1866.

All building materials had to be carried up to the ridge by hand, as there was no road leading to the lodge.

Petrovka quickly became a popular destination for visitors. A telegraph station was added, followed later by a telephone, a high-quality kitchen, and an extensive cellar. Growing tourist interest necessitated further expansion.

Between 1886 and 1888, a new building was erected next to the original structure, featuring a spacious dining room, thirty rooms, and modern facilities.

By the end of the 19th century, Petrovka had become one of the most important centers of winter tourism in the Krkonoše Mountains.

The most popular attraction was the famous rides on rohačky. Guests arrived from the Silesian side on horse-drawn sleds; after lunch, they would descend with experienced mountain guides to Špindlerův Mlýn and from there return to the ridges.

It was an experience that was unparalleled at the time.

Petrovka also played a significant role in the history of Czech skiing.

Around 1880, the Kraus brothers brought the first skis here from Norway. Although their attempts to ski did not go very well, it was right here that the history of skiing in the Krkonoše Mountains began.

On January 20, 1897, Prince Henry of Prussia visited Petrovka.

He arrived at the ridge with a ceremonial procession consisting of 48 sleighs. At Petrovka, he was welcomed by representatives of the Krkonoše Association and the Vrchlabí district.

After a ceremonial lunch, he watched a military demonstration by the ski units of the time, which took place right on the snow-covered slopes below the lodge.

The event was one of the largest social gatherings in the Krkonoše Mountains at the time.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Petrovka underwent extensive renovations.

The following were added:

- heated rooms,

- central heating,

- its own water supply,

- gas lighting,

- a telephone,

- a post office,

- a modern restaurant.

Later, electricity, cold storage, a laundry, a sports shop, a hair salon, and other services were added.

At the height of its glory, Petrovka offered:

- 64 rooms,

- approximately 100 beds,

- up to 50 employees during peak season.

It was among the most luxurious mountain hotels in the entire Krkonoše Mountains.

In the 1920s and 1930s, Petrovka was a vibrant social hub.

Dance teas were held here, accompanied by live music and, later, a gramophone. Many guests returned regularly, and finding a vacant room during the season was nearly impossible.

The lodge had a reputation for excellent cuisine, a friendly atmosphere, and magnificent views.

The events of World War II marked the end of Petrovka’s golden age.

After the Munich Agreement, the mountain hut was abandoned; it later reopened, but the war years brought a sharp decline in tourism.

After 1945, the last members of the Zinecker family were expelled, and Petrovka came under Czech administration.

This brought to an end the more than three-century-long history of a single family connected to this legendary mountain lodge.

Petrovka was not just a mountain lodge. It was a place where shepherds, mountaineers, artists, tourists, skiers, and distinguished guests from all over Europe gathered.

It was here that the first chapters of winter tourism in the Krkonoše Mountains unfolded, famous works of art were created, and traditions were born that to this day shape the unique atmosphere of our highest mountains.

Although the original Petrovka no longer exists in the form known to generations of visitors, its story remains one of the most significant testimonies to the history of life on the Krkonoše ridges.

Source: History of the Krkonoše Mountain Huts