PTTK Shelter on Błatnia

The PTTK Shelter on Błatnia, located in the Silesian Beskids, was built between 1925 and 1926 by the German Tourist Association "Friends of Nature". The official opening of the facility took place on May 23, 1926. Architecturally, the shelter initially offered around 50 sleeping places, which changed over the years due to numerous renovations and expansions. During World War II, the facility was used by the Germans for military purposes, leading to significant devastation. After the war, the Polish Tatra Society took over the shelter and began its reconstruction. In 1945, the shelter was reopened, and in the following years, it underwent a series of modernizations, including significant changes between 1965 and 1968, when the kitchen was upgraded and the dining room was renovated. In 2005, the external asbestos-cement panels were replaced with wooden cladding, which improved the building's aesthetics. The shelter currently offers 50 sleeping places in double and multi-bed rooms, as well as a buffet and a dining room. During the summer season, an outdoor garden is available for tourists. This place is an important point on the tourist map of the region, with numerous trails leading to other shelters and attractions. Interestingly, the shelter on Błatnia is one of many facilities that had their own purchase and construction plans, though other ideas did not come to fruition mainly due to financial reasons. The shelter is not only a place of rest but also a witness to the region's history, including the turbulent times of war, making it an important cultural and tourist element of this part of Poland.