PTTK "Szwajcarka" Shelter

The PTTK "Szwajcarka" Shelter is a picturesquely located mountain facility in the Western Sudetes, with a history dating back to 1823. It was built by Wilhelm von Hohenzollern, the brother of the King of Prussia, as a hunting lodge inspired by buildings from the Bernese Highlands in Switzerland. The shelter's architecture is characteristic of the Tyrolean style, and its historic wooden building, situated at an altitude of 520 meters above sea level on the southeastern slope of Krzyżna Mountain, stands out with its original interior, including the preserved prince's study with a large fireplace. Initially, the ground floor housed the forester's quarters, which over time were converted into an inn, and the building began functioning as a shelter in the interwar period. After World War II, the building fell into disrepair, but in 1950 it was taken over by the Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society (PTTK), which opened a tourist shelter there. The first manager was Tadeusz Steć. "Szwajcarka" is an important point on the tourist map of the region, located at the intersection of five hiking trails, including the popular Trail of the Piast Castles. As the oldest shelter of its kind in Poland, it attracts both mountain hiking enthusiasts and those interested in history and architecture. The Rudawy Landscape Park region offers numerous natural attractions and opportunities for active outdoor recreation. The "Szwajcarka" Shelter is not only a place to stay overnight but also an important part of the culture and history of the Sudetes, enticing visitors with the chance to explore its rich past and charming surroundings.