Wacław Majewski

Wacław Eugeniusz Majewski (known to his friends as “bujnogrzywny Wacio”) was born on August 28, 1882, in Płock, where he lived with his parents (Maria and Eugeniusz Majewski) and siblings, in a tenement house at 9 Stary Rynek Street. Wacław’s father was a surveyor who ensured a good education for his children. His brother Stefan became an architect, and his sister Maria became a dentist. Wacław Majewski passed his secondary school leaving exam (matura) in Płock in 1904, and in 1905, he began medical studies at the University of Warsaw. During his studies, he became involved in efforts to restore a Polish character to the University of Warsaw by signing a manifesto on March 18, 1905. At his own request, he discontinued his studies at the University of Warsaw and moved to Krakow, where he continued his studies at the Jagiellonian University. He completed them in 1910, and in 1915, he obtained a doctorate in medicine.

During his student years, he became active in sports and tourism, organizing many hiking and skiing trips, including training trips. He was among the initiators of the Academic Sports Association (Akademicki Związek Sportowy) and was elected its first president, serving until May 1911. He was most involved in the operation of the hiking, skiing, and rowing sections. Thanks to his initiative, a hiking lodge was opened in Dolina Kościeliska and a Tourist House in Zakopane. In 1918, he also participated in the founding meeting of the AZS Rowing Club in Krakow.

In addition to promoting sports, tourism, and skiing, he achieved success in these fields himself. He is remembered for participating in the first Polish winter ascent of Babia Góra (February 1908) and the first winter ascent of Skrajny Granat. In the 1912/1913 season, he rowed 2361 km, the longest distance among AZS Krakow rowers. On February 23, 1914, he climbed Baraniec Wielki alone.

Wacław Majewski was also an avid philatelist, trying to pass on his passion to young people by running a philatelic circle at the school in Rajcza. In Rajcza, Wacław Majewski was often visited by hiking pioneers, such as Mieczysław Orłowicz (always wearing his characteristic hat with a hanging pompom). These visits, as well as visits from people not necessarily related to tourism, often ended with mountain hikes led by the charismatic guide.

Even at the age of 80, he continued to ski in the Żywiec Beskids. Until his last days, he walked in the mountains, and his last hike (at over 90 years old) was to the Krowiarki Pass. From the room he occupied, there was a view of the mountains. In his granddaughter’s memory, he remained the image of a robust man with a shock of gray hair, wearing corduroy pants, sneakers or hiking boots, a checkered shirt, and a sports jacket with a hood.

Wacław Eugeniusz Majewski passed away in Rajcza on August 22, 1977, leaving behind his beloved armchair brought from Lviv, boxes of books and photographs, paintings and drawings he made himself, and a characteristic (visible in many photos) carved walking stick and ice axe.