Schronisko PTTK na Luboniu Wielkim

Schronisko PTTK na Luboniu Wielkim (officially Schronisko PTTK im. Stanisława Dunin-Borkowskiego na Luboniu Wielkim) is a mountain tourist hostel operated by the Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society (PTTK). It stands at 1,022 metres above sea level on the summit of Luboń Wielki, in the village of Lubień, within the Beskid Wyspowy range of southern Poland. The building, which has a distinctive, somewhat fairy-tale appearance, is a listed monument and one of the oldest continuously operating mountain shelters in the region. The hostel was built on the initiative of the Rabka branch of the Polish Tatra Society (Polskie Towarzystwo Tatrzańskie). Construction began in June 1930 to a design by Jerzy Czoponowski and Professor Stanisław Dunin-Borkowski, and the shelter opened on 9 August 1931. It was funded by the branch, with support from the Ministry of Public Works and public subscriptions. During World War II it served as a base for Armia Krajowa partisans and narrowly escaped destruction by German forces, reportedly saved through the courage of its then-host Karolina Kaleciak. In 1971, on its 40th anniversary, it was named after Stanisław Dunin-Borkowski. Today the hostel offers 25 beds in double and multi-person rooms, including a large nine-person room with windows facing all four cardinal directions. It also has a common room, a tourist buffet, showers, a covered chapel, outdoor tables and benches, and a campfire site. It is open all year round, and in winter the green trail from Rabka-Zaryte is cleared of snow. The surrounding area includes the Luboń Wielki nature reserve with its extensive block field (gołoborze) and caves, and conditions for paragliding. The hostel is a member of the PTTK network and is managed by Krzysztof Knofliczek, who has been the hostel keeper since 1999.

The idea of building a mountain shelter on Luboń Wielki was put forward by the Rabka branch of the Polish Tatra Society (Polskie Towarzystwo Tatrzańskie). Construction began in June 1930, based on a design by Jerzy Czoponowski and Professor Stanisław Dunin-Borkowski. The project was financed by the branch from its own funds, with assistance from the Ministry of Public Works and money raised through collections and subscriptions. The shelter was opened for use on 9 August 1931. Before World War II, the hostel was run by a series of hosts: Eleonora Czoponowska (1931), Anna Smietana (1931–1932), Stanisław Dunin-Borkowski (1933–1936), and Karolina Kaleciak (from 1936). During the war, the building continued to be operated by Karolina and Józef Kaleciak. From August to late autumn 1944, it served as a base for partisans of the Armia Krajowa. It narrowly avoided being burned by German forces, who in the second half of 1944 undertook operations aimed at eliminating partisan units. The building was saved thanks to the courage and determination of Karolina Kaleciak. After the war, in 1953, a meteorological station was established at the hostel, a well was dug, and a telephone line was installed. In 1961, the Luboń Wielki radio and television broadcasting centre was built nearby, and in 1962 an electrical line was connected to the hostel. On the occasion of the building's 40th anniversary, on 26 September 1971, the hostel was named after Stanisław Dunin-Borkowski. In 2019, it placed last in the "n.p.m." magazine's Mountain Hostels Ranking. Since 1999, thanksgiving masses have been held at the hostel for its survival during World War II. From 2008, these masses have taken place in a chapel built near the hostel, which contains a figure of the Our Lady of Luboń. The event is co-organised by the Podhale Union (Związek Podhalan) branches in Rabka Zdrój and Skomielna Biała, the PTTK branch in Rabka Zdrój, the PTTK hostel on Luboń Wielki, the GOPR branch in Rabka, and the Parish of Our Lady of Częstochowa in Rabka-Zaryte. The hostel building was entered into the register of monuments (no. A-1184/M) on 14 December 2009. The hostel has been managed by a long succession of keepers, with Krzysztof Knofliczek serving as keeper since 1999.

• 2019

  Placed last in the "n.p.m." magazine Mountain Hostels Ranking.

• 2009

  Building entered into the register of monuments (no. A-1184/M) on 14 December.

• 2008

  Masses move to a newly built chapel near the shelter.

• 1999

  Thanksgiving masses begin; Krzysztof Knofliczek becomes keeper.

• 1971

  On 26 September, shelter named after Stanisław Dunin-Borkowski on its 40th anniversary.

• 1962

  Electrical line connected to the shelter.

• 1961

  Luboń Wielki radio and television broadcasting centre built nearby.

• 1953

  Meteorological station established, well dug, telephone line installed.

• 1944

  Shelter serves as a base for Armia Krajowa partisans from August to late autumn; saved from destruction.

• 1936

  Karolina Kaleciak becomes host.

• 1931

  Shelter opens on 9 August.

• 1930

  Construction of the shelter begins in June.

A historic, year-round PTTK mountain hostel on a scenic summit, offering basic tourist accommodation and food service in the Beskid Wyspowy.

• Accommodation

  25 beds in double and multi-person rooms, including a nine-person room with panoramic windows.

• Tourist buffet

  On-site buffet offering meals and refreshments.

• Common room

  A shared lounge for guests.

• Showers

  Shower facilities available.

• Campfire site

  Designated area for campfires.

• Covered chapel

  A chapel near the shelter, used for thanksgiving masses since 2008.

1. 1Schronisko górskie PTTK na Luboniu Wielkim w Beskidzie Wyspowymlubon.pttk.pl
2. 2Schronisko PTTK na Luboniu Wielkim – Wikipediapl.wikipedia.org
3. 3Schronisko PTTK na Luboniu Wielkim – Wikidatawikidata.org