PTTK Wielka Racza Shelter

The PTTK Wielka Racza Shelter, located in the Żywiec Beskids at an altitude of 1236 meters above sea level, was opened on December 17, 1934, by the Bielsko branch of the Polish Tatra Society. Initially accommodating 40 people, the shelter was known for its stunning mountain views and proximity to hiking trails. In 1939, due to the threat of war, it served as a strategic observation point for the Border Protection Corps. Although during World War II the shelter was taken over by the German Beskidenverein, it was never completely closed. After the war, despite significant damage (the shelter was hit by artillery shells), the administrator Bronisław Jarosz fought to reclaim it and secure its equipment. In the postwar period, the shelter struggled with neglect, leading to considerations of its demolition in 1964. However, a decision was eventually made to renovate it. In the early 1990s, the shelter was expanded by adding a brick section to the original wooden building. In 2018, the shelter was taken over by Daniel and Agnieszka Hudziak, a married couple. It now offers 50 sleeping places in rooms accommodating 3 to 10 people, as well as a buffet with a dining area. Nearby, there is a viewpoint with a mountain map. The shelter serves as a hub for hiking trails leading to Zwardoń, Rycerzowa, Rycerka Górna Kolonia, and Oszczadnica, making it a popular destination for tourists. The PTTK Wielka Racza Shelter combines history, architecture, and tourist functions, standing as an important landmark on Poland’s mountain map.