PTTK Stożek Shelter

The PTTK Stożek Shelter is a mountain tourist hostel of the Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society, located in the Silesian Beskids at an altitude of 957 meters above sea level. Situated on the ridge of the Stożek and Czantoria Range, right next to the Polish-Czech border, it is the oldest Polish shelter in the region, operating continuously since 1922. The history of the shelter dates back to the beginning of the 20th century, when the first steps to build the facility were taken in 1910. The first construction proposal was submitted by Jan Galicz of the Polish Tourist Society "Beskid". However, the project encountered resistance from a German tourist organization, leading to a scandal. Ultimately, after the end of World War I in 1919, it was decided to proceed with the construction. The cornerstone was laid in 1920, and the shelter was opened in 1922 at a cost of 2 million marks. Architecturally, the shelter designed by Stanisław Chorubski offers 72 sleeping places in multi-bed rooms. The facility underwent a thorough renovation and modernization between 1962 and 1965, introducing amenities such as electricity and central heating. It is worth noting that the shelter regularly hosted tourists, but during World War II it was significantly devastated. After the war, thanks to the efforts of PTT activists, it was successfully restored. Among the cultural aspects of the shelter are access to a buffet, a dining room, and a TV room, making it an attractive place to rest after a day of hiking. Additionally, nearby ski lifts attract skiers in winter and tourists in summer. The shelter is located at a major junction of hiking trails, including the Main Beskid Trail, making it an ideal spot for mountain hiking enthusiasts. An interesting fact is that until 2007, there was a border crossing nearby, further highlighting the importance of this location on the regional map.