Kalatówki
In a relatively short time, you can walk from Kuźnice to the hostel in Kalatówki, passing two interesting sacred buildings on the way. The first one is already after 15 minutes on a gentle slope. The wooden gate on the left leads to a small monastery designed by Stanisław Witkiewicz for Adam Chmielowski, Blessed Brother Albert. The monastery buildings present the Zakopane style, although the evangelical simplicity and humility certainly caused an unusual limitation in ornaments and differentiation of lines. The first step is to the monastery and the Holy Cross Chapel, which is open to the public, from where you can sometimes hear the singing of the Albertine Sisters from behind the wall – the housekeepers of the object; then you reach a wooden hut called the Hermit's House, who once served Brother Albert as a solitude, sometimes also as a venue for receiving visitors who need support and advice. Józef Conrad was among them, Stanislaw Przybyszewski, Stefan Żeromski and others. In two rooms there are mementoes of the blessed Franciscan – simple bed, a reliquary and postcards and church publications for sale. The portrait of Brother Albert with a boy by Leon Wyczółkowski is noteworthy. You can visit every day. in hours. 9.00-12.00 i 14.00-16.00.
Adam Hilary Bernard Chmielowski (1845 – 1916) – Bearing 18 lat. he took part in the January Uprising and became a cripple as a result of his wound. He spent his youth in Paris, Munich and Warsaw, where he studied painting. In Munich he met Stanisław Witkiewicz. The first decision to enter the monastery was made, when he had 36 lat, but apparently it was premature, after only a few months of novitiate with the Jesuits, he resigned, plunging into a deep depression. He found his true calling as a 43-year-old man, w 1888 r "re-entering the monastery – this time to the Franciscans – and from then on, as Brother Albert, he started working among people from the margins of society, homeless, terminally ill, among old people and young people, rejected by home and care institutions. His ideas have survived to this day: there are over 40 shelters helping homeless people.
On the opposite side of the road, a path through the woods diverges to the northwest, which in less than 20 minutes walk to the headquarters of the Albertine brothers on Śpiąca Górka. In addition to the monastery and a modest chapel, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Tatra Mountains, unspoiled by chimneys, towers or masts. Only trees and mountains.
A gazda on a stump could sit under the chapel:
– Oh Jesus, Jesus, Jesus…!
And those passing by would ask:
– What do you, boss?
– Oh Jesus, Jesus, Virgin Mary of Ludźmierz…!
– You are sick, or what happened?
– Oh Jesus, Jesus, these mountains are beautiful!
About a hundred years ago, the predecessors of today's Albertines could be seen in winter, like in brown habits they drove through the snow on skis, leaning on one stick, rushing to the rescue of people missing in the mountains. Let's add, that Stanisław Barabasz taught them skiing, father of Polish skiing and the first Tatra skier.
After returning along the path to the road, you can go either right towards Kalatówki, where the shelter is located and from where the trails to Kasprowy Wierch lead, The path over Reglami and Giewont, or left, to Kuźnice.
A shelter in Kalatówki
The road to the shelter in Polana Kalatówki (the name comes from the surname of the land owners for many years, Calats), it's pretty and not too tiring. Less than an hour with a stop for a sandwich is enough to get to Kuźnice.
Shelter, actually a mountain hotel, which looks like an architectural misunderstanding against the wooded slopes, is the most popular ski resort. It has enjoyed such fame since the time of the first ski competition, held in 1910 r. In winter, crowds of people want to use two T-bar lifts here. During the last war, the hostel in Kalatówki, called Berghaus Krakau, served as a favorite entertainment place for German notables.