Stefan Żeromski’s Cottage in Orłowo – A Place of Inspiration and Remembrance

Stefan Żeromski’s Cottage in Orłowo, a district of Gdynia, is a unique museum and cultural site with a history that dates back to 1920, when the eminent Polish novelist lived there with his family. From May to September, Żeromski observed the rapid construction of Gdynia, took numerous excursions around the area, and visited the Hel Peninsula, gathering inspiration for his future works. In Orłowo, he wrote the story “Sambor i Mestwin,” inspired by the majestic beech trees he discovered while walking in Witomino. These seaside explorations sparked his idea for the novel Wiatr od morza (The Wind from the Sea). After World War II, the building served as a residence until 1985, and then remained abandoned for four years. Thanks to the initiative of the Society of Friends of Orłowo, the cottage underwent a major renovation and was reopened in 1997 as the Society’s headquarters, with a museum exhibition about the writer inaugurated in 2000. On the upper floor, there is an exhibition titled The Life and Work of Stefan Żeromski, featuring mementos of the writer, including photographs, copies of manuscripts, letters, and documents. The library contains old editions of Żeromski's works, and the space is complemented by period furniture. A café with an exhibition of archival photos of Orłowo and Gdynia, as well as materials presenting the writer's life and work, has been arranged on the ground floor. The cottage is open to visitors from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free admission, and it operates daily during the summer. Outside the season, it is open on weekends. The Society of Friends of Orłowo manages the site and organizes various cultural events – author meetings, art openings, exhibitions, and intimate concerts.