Sociologist's Cottage

Sociologist's Hut is a wooden student cabin accommodating 30 people, located at the summit of the Otryt mountain range, on the site of a pre-war hamlet of the village of Chmiel. It was built in 1973 on the initiative of Henryk Kliszko and Norbert S. Wasilewski, with construction work carried out by the student community, primarily from the Institute of Sociology at the University of Warsaw. Initially, the construction was undertaken by seven people, and as the project progressed, around a hundred volunteers joined them, engaging in all stages of the build—from extracting gravel to raising the hut’s framework with the help of highland carpenters from Podhale. The hut has no access to electricity, running water, or gas, which emphasizes its rustic character and remoteness from civilization. Two small springs are located nearby. On January 13, 2003, the building burned down, but thanks to community involvement, it was rebuilt within a year, with the new version being slightly larger than the original. In 2015, a small astronomical observatory was added. Sociologist's Hut is a place for free scientific discussions, student camps, and the exchange of ideas, primarily linked to Marxist ideology. Although it does not operate as a tourist facility, it hosts various cultural events such as art camps, happenings, concerts, and shamanic workshops. The hut is maintained by the Otrycki Club, which has been registered as an association since 1990. An interesting fact is that in 1982, after the arrest of the caretaker, the hut was briefly taken over by Almatur. Sociologist's Hut reflects both local history and the legacy of students associated with the Institute of Sociology, offering a space for creative activities and reflection in a unique mountain setting.