Lodz population. Lodz

“There is nothing to see in Lodz,” they said. My inner skeptic raised his eyebrows in surprise.
Having made more than 31 thousand steps on this wonderful day, I can say with confidence ... Although, however, it is better to show first! Is it worth going to Lodz or not - decide for yourself 🙂

It definitely differs from all tourist towns like ... Red brick buildings, tall pipes of former boiler houses and factories, futuristic blotches, unexpected sculptures - all this gives a walk in Lodz the feeling that you accidentally got into the scenery of some early 20th century film ... Meanwhile, Warsaw is only an hour and a half away.
Well, let's look at Lodz in her unique eyes? 🙂

Can describe interesting places to ód in any order, but it is probably best to do it along the route.
I traveled by bus low-cost airline FlixBus - in terms of price-quality ratio, this is probably the most convenient way... We arrive at the Łódź Fabryczna train station - in fact, in the city center. If you look on the map, then the most important sights will be at the top. But if we immediately go up, we will not see a lot of interesting things, so at first we will step aside a little, then go down, and then go up the longest street in Poland - Petrikowska.

I have carefully prepared an approximate route for you. With a visit to museums and almost no rest, it took me almost 8 hours, while I did not have enough time to go along the branch on the left - to the Botanical Garden. However, you can always drive up, if that.

Railway station

Big and empty. There is little food, entertainment too, but there are thoughtful waiting rooms where it does not blow, like in the rest of the space.

Complex EC-1

Literally a few hundred meters from the station, there is a promising scientific and museum complex EC-1, rebuilt from an old power plant. The architects did a great job and weaved a single whole from an industrial building and futuristic inserts. It is not surprising that this particular complex took first place in the popular vote "7 New Wonders of Poland", which I even managed to visit, thanks to an invitation from National Geographic.

Now you can get to the Planetarium and wander in the back streets of the building and the surrounding area, and also visit the Science and Technology Center. By the way, it is worth taking at least three hours for it! It is best to buy tickets in advance via the Internet. For example, a family (2 + 1) costs PLN 18 (and a regular adult costs PLN 23).

Park and greenhouse

The park is pretty, the greenhouse is small, and I didn't go inside.

Palace of Edward Herbst (Museum Pałac Herbsta)

We are used to the fact that kings and queens usually live in palaces. But we are in Lodz - the main city of factories! How about industrialists? In the 19th century there was a center textile industry, and Herbst is one of the owners of the production. Curious to look into the entrepreneur's house, isn't it? Paintings, furniture, household items of a bygone era have been preserved inside. It is interesting to listen to your feelings: where is it more comfortable - in the palace of the ruler or the owner of factories? 🙂

I liked the house-museum very much, and judging by the Tripadvisor scores, I am far from alone.

After visiting, be sure to relax in the garden and "savor" the experience - after all, there is another museum ahead, so it is worth taking a break.

Working hours: 11.00-17.00, except Monday.
Ticket prices: 10 - full, 5 - reduced, for young people under 26 - 1 zloty.
Address: ul. Przędzalniana 72.

Museum of the Textile Industry (Muzeum Włókiennictwa)

It is enough just to enter the territory - and we are already in the museum. Well, or in the movies. If you go to the right, you will find old houses; if you go to the left, you will come to the weaving shop with machines.

I must say that the houses and the church appeared here quite recently - they were transported from the outskirts of Lodz. This cute booth, for example, used to stand about 5 kilometers from here and served as a tram stop.

The most interesting thing is in the hall with the weaving looms, but also be sure to look inside the old houses (which will be open).

Working hours: 09.00-17.00 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays, from 12.00 to 19.00 on other days except Monday.
Ticket prices: 10 - full, 6 - reduced, on Thursdays admission is free
Address: ul. Piotrkowska 282.

Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden in Lodz - quite nice place... There is a zoo nearby. Children are more likely to be happy. I didn't get to this place, although I marked it on my map - there will be something to visit next time.

Piotrkowska Street

So we got to the main street for tourists in Lodz - Petrkowska. It is also the longest in Poland and one of the longest in Europe - the path from start to finish is 4.9 km. Part of it is pedestrianized. It is here that the most fashionable cafes are concentrated and popular street events and fairs are held.

Here and there - different sculptures, and also - its own alley of movie stars. Here it appeared for a reason - the fact is that the State Higher School of Cinematography, Television and Theater, respected throughout Europe, is located in Lodz. Among the graduates of the school are the winners of prestigious awards - Krzysztof Kislevski, Roman Polanski, Andrzej Wajda, Krzysztof Zanussi and others.

Palace of Karol Poznański (Pałac Karola Poznańskiego)

Judging by the description, it echoes the Palace of Edward Herbst - in both places are the interiors and household items of the owners of factories. Worth a visit, especially since admission is free on Sunday.

Working hours: 09.00-20.00, except Monday.
Ticket prices: there is no information yet, who will be - write to me, please.
Address: Gdańska 32.

City Museum (Muzeum Miasta Łodzi)

Another beautiful building in front of us. I don't know about you, but in front of its facade I felt like in aristocratic Vienna.

Inside there is a city museum. But not easy. Its highlight is that the exposition is designed in the form of rooms of famous Poles, who came from Lodz and the region. Among them is the famous pianist Arthur Rubinstein, the Nobel Prize winner Vladislav Reymont ...

Working hours: Mon, Tue, Thu: 10.00-16.00, Wed, Sat, Sun: 12.00-18.00, Friday is a day off.
Ticket prices: 12 - full, 8 - reduced,
Address: ul. Ogrodowa 15.

Manufactory

Hooray! Come on! Everyone knows this museum and exhibition complex. Built relatively recently, it is very fond of the townspeople and guests of Lodz.

If you have an overdose of cultural attractions, you can take refuge in mall... And if not, welcome to the museum, which, as it seems to me, is already unpretentiously called according to the Lodz industrial tradition - M32.

We sit, relax, drink coffee. Most likely, it is already evening, and it's time to enjoy the last minutes of your stay in Lodz - before heading back home. Or towards new adventures 😉

Where to stay in Lodz

In addition to sightseeing, Lodz is a great place to arrange "factory" photo sessions in the now fashionable surroundings of red brick and glass. If you are looking to arrange an easy, relaxing trip, then two days in Lodz may well be suitable for this purpose.
Here's a selection good hotels close to the center.

How to get to Lodz

The cheapest way to do this is by using the low-cost bus carrier FlixBus - tickets start from 1 zloty, and average price, for which you can buy a ticket - about 15-20 zlotys one way. Buses to Lodz from Warsaw leave from the platform at the Młociny metro station.

You can also travel by train, but it will come out a little more expensive.

You can also rent a car and drive through several Polish cities at once without haste and at your own pace.

Great impressions to you!

Height NUM Population Density

2629.1 people / km²

Timezone Telephone code Zip codes

from 90-001 to 94-201

Car code Official site

Lodz Central Street

Lodz - center and The largest city Lodz Voivodeship. The population of the city is 770 thousand people and is gradually decreasing (1988 - 854 thousand). Back in the 1990s, Lodz was the second most populous city in Poland after Warsaw, but in the 2000s it gave way to Krakow.

In 1940-1944 Lodz bore the name Litzmanstadt in honor of the German general of the First World War Karl Litzmann. From 1944 to 1944, the city was home to one of the largest Jewish ghettos.

Story

1332 year- Lodz was first mentioned in a document transferring the village of Lodzia (lat.) To the bishops of Wloclawek. On July 29, 1423, by the order of King Władysław Jagiello, Lodz received city rights.

1820 year- On September 20, by the decree of Konstantin Pavlovich, the governor of the Kingdom of Poland, Lodz was declared a factory town, in 1821 the cloth settlement Nove Miasto was founded, which was continued in 1824 by the weaving settlement Lodka.

1865 year- On July 30, local authorities received permission to lay railroad connecting Lodz and Koliushki, which was put into operation on September 19, 1865. Passenger trains began to run regularly from June 1, 1866.

1888 year- October 6 in the building of the hotel "Victoria" on the street. Piotrkowska 67, the first professional theater in ód was established. Now the modern cinema "Polonia" is located here.

1898 year- On December 24, at 1 pm, the first electric tram in the Kingdom of Poland was launched in Lodz.

1899 year- November 3 in Lodz, at ul. Vskhodnya 19, Józef Pilsudski and his wife settled down. Here Pilsudski published the newspaper Rabochy, the organ of the underground Polish Socialist Party. On the night of February 22, 1900, Pilsudski was arrested by the tsarist police and was imprisoned at ul. Gdańsk 13. In December 1938, the memorial museum-apartment of J. Piłsudski was established here.

1903 year- On August 20, the Polish Theater Society was founded in Lodz, the first organization in Poland dealing with theatrical and educational activities.

1905 year- On May 17, the first children's hospital in Poland was opened. Anna Maria (in memory of the deceased granddaughter of the largest ód manufacturer Karl W. Scheibler). In 1951, it was renamed the Hospital. Janusz Korczak.

1908 year- in Lodz, on al. Kociuszko 14 continues to operate the largest bank in Poland (hall with an area of 1100 m²).

1919 year- The ód Voivodeship was created, headed by Anthony Kamenski.

1936 year- On May 26, the Circle of Friends of ód was established, which resumed its activities in 1959 (27 November) and was renamed the Society of Friends of ód. The range of his activities is quite wide: this is educational work, and historical and local history activities, the organization of cultural events and competitions, publishing, protection of historical and architectural values, etc. The main department of the ODL is located at pl. Liberties 2.

1945 year- on the basis of the Pedagogical Institute (1921-1928), the Higher School of Social and economic sciences(1921-1928) and a branch of the Free Polish University that existed in Lodz during the interwar period, the University of Lodz was created.

1948 year- On October 18, the grand opening of the Higher School of Cinematography, Television and Theater took place with the participation of its first entrants. This world famous institution of higher education is located in the Oscar Cohn Palace at ul. Targova. The school is especially proud of its renowned graduates: Andrzej Wajda, Roman Polanski, Andrzej Munch, Jerzy Skolimowski, Krzysztof Kieslowski, Krzysztof Zanussi and others.

sights

Piotrkovskaya street

Jewish market in Lodz. 1915 year.

The current Piotrkowska Street runs along the line of the former Piotrkowska tract, which in the 19th century witnessed the rapid development of the city. Piotrkovskaya Street is the main street of the city. It stretches from the octagonal Freedom Square (Polish. Plac Wolności Plyac Wolnoосьci), which was previously called the market square of the New Town (Polish. Nowe miasto Nove Miasto). The longest pedestrian zone in Poland with shops, bars and restaurants (of which there are more than a hundred), as well as street cafes in summer. Alternatively, you can ride a pedicab or a retro tram along the boulevard. Numerous events, fairs, happenings and sports competitions take place on Piotrkowska Street.

Monuments.

St. Piotrkowska 32 - To Three Manufacturers.
St. Piotrkowska 104 - Bench by Julian Tuwim.
St. Piotrkovskaya 137 - Vladislav Reymont's chest.
St. Piotrkovskaya 78 - Piano by Arthur Rubinstein.
St. Piotrkivska 112 - a monument to Leon Schiller.
St. Piotrkowska 98-146 - a monument to the Inhabitants of Lodz at the Millennium Line: 12.859 slabs engraved with the names of famous and ordinary inhabitants of Lodz.
St. Piotrkowska - a section of the street between Moniuszko Street and Rubinstein Passage - Avenue of Polish Cinema Stars.

Historical Buildings.

Architecture

Delightful mansions of the largest industrialists, built in the vicinity of factory buildings and workers' quarters, will not leave anyone indifferent. The picturesque decoration of the premises, which reflects the tastes of the manufacturers of the late 19th - early 20th centuries, deserves special attention. Living rooms, study rooms and ballrooms have retained their splendor and splendor to this day. In addition to typical urban-type mansions (which are concentrated on Piotrkowska Street), it is worth visiting the villas and palaces immersed in greenery.

Palace of Israel Poznansky - Ogrodowa Street 15.

The largest manufacturer's residence in Poland, now the Museum of the History of the City of Lodz. The palace (in the neo-baroque style) is located at the corner of Zakhodnyaya (Zapadnaya) and Ogrodovaya (Sadovaya) streets, along which massive factory walls and workers' quarters stretch.

Eduard Herbst's villa - Pshendzalnyana (Spinning) street 72.

A typical example of a mansion of the late 19th century with elements of interior decoration typical for the residences of wealthy manufacturers.

Karl Scheibler's Palace - Zvychstvennost (Victory) Square 1.

The tranquil Renaissance façade with subtle ornamentation contrasts with the colorfully decorated interior. The palace (now the Museum of Cinematography) is located in the depths of the ancient Zyrudliska Park with its 300-year-old oak trees.

Reinhold Richter's Villa - an outstanding monument of Polish Art Nouveau

Mauritius Poznański Palace - Węckowski Street 36.

The palace is designed in an architectural style reminiscent of the Italian Renaissance. The Museum of Contemporary Art located there is proud of its unique collection of avant-garde art.

Karl Poznanski Palace - Gdansk Street 32.

The architectural design of the palace is reminiscent of the Florentine Renaissance. Currently, the Academy of Music is located here.

Villa Leopold Kindermann - Vulchanskaya street 31-33.

The most magnificent Secession villa in Poland with rich exterior decoration. Now it houses the City Art Gallery.

Reinhold Richter's villa - Skorupki street 6.

A wonderful example of comparing different styles (eclecticism). The mansion is located in the depths of a century-old park, in which a huge "oak-manufacturer" grows. Now it houses the administration of the Polytechnic University.

Florian Jarisch's villa - Kosciuszko alley 88.

Robert Biedermann Palace - Franchishkanska (Franciscan) street 1/5.

Industrial buildings

Despite the fact that the history of ód dates back to the Middle Ages, the highest prosperity of the city dates back to the period of the Kingdom of Poland. It was then, in the 20s of the 19th century, that cloth and weaving estates were created in Lodz: first along the Piotrkowski Trakt (now Piotrkowska Street), where the Nové Miasto posad were founded, then Lodka and Nova Lodka, as well as water-factory farms on the river Ash. Favorable economic and housing conditions attracted foreign industrialists. The first manufactories and mechanized factories were built in the classicism style with smooth plastered walls. In the second half of the 19th century, hundreds of brick factories, built using reinforced concrete structures, appeared in Lodz, and the city received the nickname "Polish Manchester".

"White Factory"

Israel Poznansky Factory - Ogorodova Street 17.

At one time, the factory, which held the second place after the Karl Scheibler factory, employed more than 6 thousand people and was engaged in the manufacture of cotton fabric. At present, the trade, cultural and entertainment center "Manufactura" has been opened on the territory of the factory, in which it has found a combination of modern forms and architecture of factory buildings since the 19th century.

"Ksienzi Mlyn" - at the corner of Pshendzalnyaya and Tymenetskogo streets.

This large industrial and residential complex was created by Karl Scheibler, the owner of the largest cotton mill in Europe. Industrial architectural ensemble includes a spinning mill, a fire station, Train Station, hospital, school, shops, farm and workers' homes.

"White Factory" Ludwig Geyer - Piotrkowska street 282.

The first mechanized in Lodz industrial enterprise dates back to 1839. Now it houses the Museum of the Textile Industry.

Kopisha bleaching shop - Tymenetskogo street 5.

This first manufactory in ód was founded in 1826.

"Grokhman's Barrels".

Manufactured gates of the Grokhmanov weaving factory.

Converted factory buildings

Scheiblerov's factory power plant - Tymenetskogo street 3/7.

An interesting monument of industrial architecture in the Secession style (rhythmic forms, decorative elements made of ceramics and metal).

Markus Silberstein's factory - Piotrkowska street 250.

Factory building with features of fortification architecture. It is now a shopping center.

Ferdinand Geldner's factory - street of the Revolution of 1905 No. 52.

This restored factory building is occupied by the Graduate School of Economics and Humanities.

Cinema

For many years ód was considered the capital of Polish cinema. On the territory of the city, there were film studios of feature films, popular science and animation films, sound recording and production studios. Lodz is famous for the world famous School of Cinematography, Television and Theater.

In addition, Lodz is known as a city with a great theatrical tradition. Every year in December, the International Festival of Cinematography "CAMER-IMAGE" is held here, which brings together recognized masters of cinema, students and film lovers from all over the world.

Higher School of Cinematography, Television and Theater - Targova street 61/63.... Occupies the building of the Oscar Cohn Palace. The school is especially proud of its graduates: Andrzej Wajda, Roman Polanski, Jerzy Skolimowski, Marek Pivovski, Krzysztof Kieslowski.
Museum of Cinematography - Zvytenstva Square 1.... Located in the palace of Karl Scheibler. Temporary exhibitions dedicated to the history of cinema, Polish cinema hits recent years and contemporary Polish art, in particular photography and media art.
Alley of Stars - Piotrkowska Street (a section of the boulevard between Moniuszko Street and Rubinstein Passage).
Opus Film. - Lonkova street 29.... Occupies the building of the former Art Film Studio.
Se-ma-for- Polish studio of short films.

Population

Along with the indigenous people, a huge role in industrial development Lodz was played by the visiting population. In the second half of the 19th century, Poles, Germans, Jews, Czechs, Silesians lived in Lodz, who moved to this industrial city in search of the "Promised Land". The Jewish population of 240 thousand people presented Lodz with the largest manufacturers (Israel Kalmanovich Poznansky, Marius Silberstein, Stanislav Yarotinsky, Oskar Kon, etc.), merchants, bankers, famous architects (David Landau, Gustav Landau-Gutenteger, etc.) and writers (Julian Tuwima and Jerzy Kosinski). The Festival of Four Cultures, which has been taking place in ód since 2002, helps to plunge into the multinational past of the city.

Poznansky Palace- Ogrodova Street, 15. Now the palace houses the Museum of the History of the City of Lodz, which contains exhibits related to the life of the city and its celebrities: Julian Tuwim, Wladyslaw Reymont, Alexander Tansman, Artur Rubinstein and Jan Karski.

Old Cemetery on Ogrodova Street - Catholic, Evangelical and Orthodox. The largest industrialists are buried here: Biedermann, Grokhman, Geyer, Kindermann, Scheibler, as well as scientists, actors, artists, national heroes and priests. Among dozens of historical tombstones, the mausoleum of the manufacturer Scheibler, which looks like a small neo-Gothic temple, is distinguished by its monumentality.

Jewish cemetery- near Bratskaya street. The largest Jewish cemetery in Europe (41 hectares) was created in 1892 and has about 160 thousand graves. Many stone tombstones, in particular the mausoleums of large industrialists: Poznansky, Silberstein, Prussians, Steillers, Yarotinsky, are ranked as architectural monuments. The parents of Julian Tuwim and Arthur Rubinstein are buried here. In the southern part of the cemetery, there are the graves of the victims of the Lodz ghetto.

They were born and lived in the city.

Lodz(Polish Łódź, literally - "boat", "boat") - the third largest city in Poland. Located in the center of the country, 120 kilometers southwest of Warsaw, it is the center of the Polish textile and electronics industry. Founded in the XIII century, the status of the city from 1423.

Lodz is the center and largest city of the Lodz Voivodeship. The population of the city is 770 thousand people and is gradually decreasing (1988 - 854 thousand). Back in the 1990s, Lodz was the second most populous city in Poland after Warsaw, but in the 2000s it gave way to Krakow.

In 1939-1944, Lodz was named Litzmanstadt in honor of the German general of the First World War Karl Litzmann. From 1941 to 1944, one of the largest Jewish ghettos was located in the city.

Story

1332 - Lodz is commemorated for the first time by Prince Włodzław of Dobrzyń, and on May 15, 1414, the Włocław Chapter founded a castle mound on the territory of the Lodz settlement. By decree of Tsar Vladislav Jagiello, Lodz received city rights on July 29, 1423.

1820 - On September 20, by the decree of the Grand Duke, Viceroy of the Kingdom of Poland, Lodz was declared a factory town, in 1821 the cloth settlement Nowe Miasto was founded, which was continued in 1824 by the weaving settlement Lodka.

1865 - On July 30, local authorities received permission to build a railway linking Lodz and Koliushki, which was put into operation on September 19, 1865! Passenger trains began to run regularly from June 1, 1866.

1888 - October 6 in the building of the hotel "Victoria" on the street. Piotrkowska 67, the first professional theater in ód was established. Now the modern cinema "Polonia" is located here.

1898 - On December 24 at 13:00 the first electric tram in the Kingdom of Poland was launched in Lodz.

1899 - November 3 in Lodz, at st. Vskhodnya 19, Józef Pilsudski and his wife settled down. Here Pilsudski published the newspaper Rabochy, the organ of the underground Polish Socialist Party. On the night of February 22, 1900, Pilsudski was arrested by the tsarist police and was imprisoned at ul. Gdańsk 13. In December 1938, the memorial museum-apartment of J. Piłsudski was established here.

1903 - On August 20, the Polish Theater Society was founded in Lodz, the first organization in Poland dealing with theatrical and educational activities.

1905 - On May 17, the first children's hospital in Poland was opened. Anna Maria (in memory of the deceased granddaughter of the largest ód manufacturer Karl W. Scheibler). In 1951, it was renamed the Hospital. Janusz Korczak.

1908 - in Lodz, on al. Kociuszko 14 continues to operate the largest bank in Poland (hall with an area of 1100 m2!). Connoisseurs of architecture will not be left indifferent by the design in the Art Nouveau (Secession) style, stylized stained-glass windows and furniture. The building has been restored and is in excellent condition.

1919 - the ód voivodeship was created, and its first voivode was Antoni Kamenski.

1936 - On May 26, the Circle of Friends of ód was established, which resumed its activities in 1959 (27 November) and was renamed the Society of Friends of ód. The range of his activities is quite wide: this is educational work, and historical and local history activities, the organization of cultural events and competitions, publishing, protection of historical and architectural values, etc. The main department of the ODL is located at pl. Liberties 2.

1948 - On October 18, the grand opening of the Higher School of Cinematography, Television and Theater took place with the participation of its first entrants. This world famous institution of higher education is located in the Oscar Cohn Palace at ul. Targova. The school is especially proud of its renowned graduates: Andrzej Wajda, Roman Polanski, Andrzej Munch, Jerzy Skolimowski, Krzysztof Kieslowski, Krzysztof Zanussi and others.

sights

The current Piotrkowska street runs along the line of the former Piotrkowska tract, which in the 19th century witnessed the rapid development of the city. Piotrkowska Street is the main street of the city, life on it is in full swing from morning until late at night. It stretches from the octagonal Liberty Square (Liberty Palace), which was previously called the New Town market square (Nove Miasto). The longest pedestrian zone in Poland is dotted with shops, bars and restaurants (of which there are more than a hundred), and in the summer there are also street cafes. Alternatively, you can ride a pedicab or a retro tram along the boulevard. On Piotrkowska Street, numerous events, yarmaks, happenings and sports events take place.

Architecture

The largest manufacturer's residence in Poland, now the Museum of the History of the City of Lodz. The palace (in the neo-baroque style) is located at the corner of Zakhodnyaya (Zapadnaya) and Ogrodovaya streets, along which massive factory walls and workers' quarters stretch.

Industrial building

"Ksienzi Mlyn" - at the corner of Pshendzalnyaya and Tymenetskogo streets.

This large industrial and residential complex was created by Karl Scheibler, the owner of the largest cotton mill in Europe. The industrial architectural ensemble includes a spinning mill, a fire station, a train station, a hospital, a school, shops, a farm and workers' homes.

Cinema

In addition, Lodz is known as a city with a great theatrical tradition. Every year in December, the International Festival of Operator Art “CAMER-IMAGE” is held here, which brings together recognized masters of cinema, students and film lovers from all over the world.
Higher School of Cinematography, Television and Theater - Targova Street 61/63 .. Occupies the building of the Oscar Cohn Palace. The school is especially proud of its graduates: Andrzej Wajda, Roman Polanski, Jerzy Skolimowski, Marek Pivovski, Krzysztof Kieslowski.
Museum of Cinematography - Zvytenstva Square 1 .. Located in the palace of Karl Scheibler. Temporary exhibitions are dedicated to the history of cinematography, Polish hits of recent years and contemporary domestic art, in particular photography and media art.
Alley of Stars - Piotrkowska Street (a section of the boulevard between Moniuszko Street and Rubinstein Passage).
Opus Film. - Lonkova street 29 .. Occupies the building of the former Art Film Studio.
Se-ma-for is a Polish short film studio.

Population

Along with the indigenous people, the visiting population played a huge role in the industrial development of Lodz. In the second half of the 19th century, Poles, Germans, Jews, Czechs, Silesians lived in Lodz, who moved to this industrial place in search of the "Promised Land". The Jewish population of 240 thousand people presented Lodz with the largest manufacturers (Israel Kalmanovich Poznansky, Marius Silberstein, Stanislav Yarotinsky, Oskar Kon, etc.), merchants, bankers, famous architects (David Landau, Gustav Landau-Gutenteger, etc.) and writers (Julian Tuwim and Jerzy Kosinski). The Festival of Four Cultures, which has been taking place in ód since 2002, helps us to plunge into the multinational past of the city.

Poznański Palace - Ogrodova Street 15. Now the palace houses the Museum of the History of the City of Lodz, which contains exhibits related to the life of the city and its celebrities: Julian Tuwim, Wladyslaw Reimont, Alexander Tansman, Artur Rubinstein and Jan Karski.

The old cemetery on Ogrodova Street is Catholic, Evangelical and Orthodox. The largest industrialists are buried here: Biedermann, Grokhman, Geyer, Kindermann, Scheibler, as well as scientists, actors, artists, national heroes and priests. Among dozens of historical tombstones, the mausoleum of the manufacturer Scheibler, which looks like a small neo-Gothic temple, is distinguished by its monumentality.

Jewish cemetery - near Bratskaya street. The largest Jewish cemetery in Europe (41 hectares) was created in 1892 and has about 160 thousand graves. Many stone gravestones are classified as architectural monuments, in particular the mausoleums of major industrialists: Poznansky, Silberstein, Prussians, Steillers, Yarotinsky. The parents of Julian Tuwim and Arthur Rubinstein are buried here. In the southern part of the cemetery, there are the graves of the victims of the Lodz ghetto.

Interesting Facts

Lodz is the first city in Poland to introduce compulsory schooling, in honor of which the local authorities decided to erect a monument in 1921. And although the cornerstone had already been erected in the place assigned to him in the Railway Park, these plans did not materialize. Now on this place there is a monument to Stanislav Moniuszko.
Lodz delights guests with an abundance of architectural masterpieces (approximately 160 mansions and palaces of major industrialists). The most significant palace (now the Museum of the History of the City of Lodz) belonged to Izrail Kelmanowicz Poznański. There is also the Arthur Rubinstein Music Gallery, which contains more than 2000 exhibits related to the history of the life and work of this outstanding pianist.
In ód, in a classicist-style factory built by Ludwig Geyer in 1835-1837, there is the Museum of the Textile Industry, which contains a unique, large collection of modern decorative fabrics. Since 1975, the International Triennial of Decorative Fabrics has been held here every three years.
Contrary to popular belief, ód has a huge number of green spaces, more than 30 parks, the largest in Poland Botanical Garden and agiewnicki Forest Park (the largest urban forest in Poland, with an area of 1200 hectares). The forest park has hiking trails, a nature reserve, an old Baroque monastery, an equestrian club, a lake, a hotel and a hospital. The forest park is part of the ód Uplands tract.
An exceptional shopping and entertainment center Manufactura has been opened in ód. The revitalization company, unique both on a Polish and European scale, combines modern architectural forms with the restored buildings of the Izrael Poznanski factory from the 19th century. A wonderful location in the city center, an exceptional interior and a variety of cultural, shopping and entertainment programs make the Manufactura an attractive place for residents and tourists to visit the city of Lodz.

Lodz is located in the very heart of Poland. The large industrial city is considered the third largest after Warsaw and Krakow. From the capital of Poland, located southwest of the river. Lodz is about 120 km away. The relief around the valley is formed by moraine hills from debris left over from the time of the glacier's passage. This area belongs to the watershed of the Vistula River and the Odra River - the second river after the Vistula, which forms part of the border between Poland and Germany. The region of the Central Pole Plain, in which ód is located, is rich in water resources, so that several rivers of streams flow right through the city, deep underground or on the surface: historically ód stands on 18 rivers, the largest with a width of 10 m. The village that grew into this city , was founded between two channels: the river Ludka and the right tributary of the Odra - the Warta.

Story

Lodz is not easy old City... This is one of the oldest human habitats in Poland: the first settlements in these places were organized by people at least 12,000 years ago. By the XII century. a fairly large settlement already existed here, but documentary references to it date back to 1332, which is considered to be the date of the city's foundation. In that year, the local prince Vladislav freed the village of Lodz from submission to the princely laws. Having gained freedom, the inhabitants moved a little closer to the trade route, and this stimulated the development of the village so much that in 1414 the bishops of Wroclaw were already thinking of giving the settlement the status of a city. The granting of royal municipal rights took place in 1423, although for about two centuries ód remained a small agrarian and craft town. The rights of Lodz were confirmed by the signature of the founder of the new Jagiel dynasty - the Vitebsk prince, the Grand Duke of Lithuania and the Polish king Jagiello (in baptism, Vladislav II (1351-1434), he became the Polish king after the death of his wife - a young Polish queen (according to the official title - king ) Jadwiga (1373-1399).
The peaceful course of life was interrupted for a long time by the Polish-Swedish war (1600-1629). The Swedes, like the Poles, needed control over trade routes to Baltic Sea and on it. After the invasion of the Swedes, the city could not recover for a long time: Lodz fell into poverty and eked out a rather miserable existence. But a real miracle happened: the Seim of the Kingdom of Poland drew attention to the village rich in water resources, which decided to develop it as a textile factory city, with the corresponding privileges and investment of big money. This happened in 1820, and in 1822 in Russia there was a decrease in customs tariffs on the export of raw materials and on the import of Polish goods. The import of raw cotton at an affordable price began to be imported into Poland, and there was a boom in the development of textile production, in which Lodz immediately took a leading position. In the XIX century. the population has grown from one and a half to 623 thousand people. In 1823, the city's borders had already expanded significantly, including thanks to the influx of foreign specialists, and old part Lodz was connected to the new Piotrkowska tract - now it is the favorite walking and shopping street of Lodz with a length of almost 4 km, Piotrkowska.
In 1824, the first red brick weaving factory was built in the city. Then there were brand factories that glorified Polish textiles not only in Europe, but also in America: these are the enterprises of Scheibler, Grokhman, Poznansky, Biederman, Silberstein, Geyer, Kon, Kinderman. Such an abundance of Jewish surnames is not accidental, because many manufacturers moved their enterprises here from Moscow after the Jews were expelled from there in 1891-1892. So by 1914 they owned 175 ód factories, of which 150 were textile factories. The number of Jewish workers was also significant - by the early 1910s there were more than 27,000 of them, which was about 33% of the total number of workers in the city. The Jewish community played an important role in the period of the capitalist formation of the city.
This is how Lodz was once called for a breakthrough in the field of textile production. And today it, like Manchester, is placing increasing emphasis on science, foreign investment, culture and tourism.
Agricultural land was rapidly swallowed up by the sprawling industrial centre: Lodz was gradually turning into "Polish Manchester", and the textile industry became a kind of engine of local progress, spurring the development of other industries. In particular - architecture: Lodz is famous for its luxurious palace ensembles, which once belonged to the main manufacturers. Among them, a special place is occupied by the Ksenzhi Mlyn factory and housing complex - the result of the merger of the competitors Grohmans and Scheiblers, who created in 1921
through the merger of its facilities, the largest cotton mill in Europe. The ensemble was supplemented from the second half of the 1820s to the end of the 19th century, so that this “city within a city”, in addition to a spinning mill and famules (houses for workers), included a fire station, a railway station, hospitals, schools, shops, a farm (a manor in Poland), a palace. The dwellings of Scheibler and Grohman, Israel Poznansky, the villa of Grohman, Herbst and other manufacturers cannot be called anything other than palaces: they are a spectacular eclectic mixture of elements of different styles, from the Renaissance and Baroque to Art Nouveau. The factories themselves often look no less interesting: at first they were built in the neoclassical spirit, and towards the end - as if justifying the title of "Polish Manchester" - already with the use of red brick and reinforced concrete structures (when the industrial boom subsided, they began to actively re-equip them in a cultural exhibition and entertainment centers, today these are excellent examples of post-industrial architecture). Of course, settlers flocked to the beautiful and prosperous city - and its population increased dramatically: to late XIX v. Lodz was already the second city in the country after Warsaw (now Krakow is ahead of it). In addition to the Jewish community, large communities were Germans, Silesians, Czechs. But most of all there were Poles, Jews, Germans and Russians, for which Lodz was nicknamed "the city of four cultures".
In 1839, the first steam engine was put into operation - and a black cloud of smoke in the ód sky finally turned the city into a kind of Manchester. The rapid development of this textile center was halted by the First and Second World Wars: the city was badly destroyed, factories and factories stood up, and the population was subjected to the most severe repressions. One of the largest Jewish ghettos from 1940 to 1944 was located here. It held more than 200,000 prisoners who were forced to continue working in production for the needs of the Wehrmacht. The survivors were taken to Auschwitz. Lodz itself during these years was called Litzmanstadt - in honor of Karl Litzman (1850-1936), a German general during the First World War.
After the wars, the city was rebuilt, paying particular attention to the original industrial palaces and the old factories themselves, many of which today house museums. Lodz retained its role as a textile center (after the 1990s, mainly due to the abundance of small firms). But textiles have also become a cultural brand of the city: in the building of the Geyer factory, the gigantic Museum of the Textile Industry has collected a unique collection of modern decorative fabrics, and since 1975 the International Triennial on this topic has been held here. Lodz successfully debunks the myth that tourists have nothing to do in industrial cities. There are about 160 mansions and palaces of industrialists alone. Oscar Cohn's palace houses graduate School cinematography, television and theater. Director Roman Polanski (born in 1933) became one of its famous graduates, and famous actors made the name of the vibrant theater life in Lodz. Tired of the bustle of the city, you can wander through one of 33 parks, 11 of which are old and subject to special protection: for example, the largest forest park in Europe, the Lagiewniki Forest (1200 hectares) - part of the Lodz Uplands nature reserve, or the old Zrudliska park.

general information

Ethnic composition: over 90% are ethnic Poles (2002).

Religion: Catholicism prevails.

Language: Polish.

Currency unit: Polish zloty.

Largest river: Vistula.
The airport: international Airport them. Wladyslaw Reymont Lodz-Lublinek.

Numbers

Area: 293.25 km 2.

Population: 737,000 (2010).
Population density: 2513.2 people / km 2.

Height above sea level: 163-284 m.

Climate and weather

Moderately continental.

Average January temperature: 0 ° C.

Average temperature in July:+ 21 ° C.

Average annual rainfall: 560 mm.

Economy

Industry: textile, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering (transformers, equipment for electric traction, cinema equipment, textile machines), chemical (in particular, rubber, synthetic and artificial fibers), leather and footwear, printing, food flavoring.

Service sector: tourism, financial, information, transport.

sights

■ Natural: the ód Uplands nature reserve, the first city parks - Zrudliska I and Zrudliska II.
■ Churches: the Dormition of the Theotokos (1888-1897), Descent of the Holy Spirit (late 19th century);
■ Palaces and villas of the 19th century manufacturers.: Israel Kalmanovich Poznansky (now the Museum of the History of the City of Lodz), Robert Biedermann (building of the University of Lodz), Karl Poznansky (now the Academy of Music), Reinhold Richter's villa, Eduard Herbst's villa (branch of the Museum of Modern Art).
■ Factory centers: "White Factory" by Ludwig Geyer (1835-1839), the factory and housing complex "Ksenzhi Mlyn" (XIX century), in 2006 the cultural, shopping and entertainment center "Manufactura" was opened: on 27 hectares of factories of the XIX century ., owned by Israel Poznansky, housed more than 300 shops, a hotel, a concert venue, in summer - a beach, in winter - a skating rink, a 300 m long fountain and much more.

Curious facts

■ Local legend connects the origin of the name of the city of Lodz, meaning "boat", with the name of the peasant Janusz, who quarreled with the authorities and fled from the neighboring town of ęczyca. He swam for a long time in a boat, until he landed on the marshy shore when he was caught by a downpour. In order not to get wet, he made a shelter from his own boat - the first "home" of the future Lodz. A golden boat is depicted on the shield of the city's coat of arms. And the red color of the shield, according to legend, is the color of the blood shed by the knight-hermit. He died defending a girl who had fled from the authorities of the same Lenchitsa, accused
in witchcraft.
■ Lodz is the very first city in the country to introduce compulsory schooling.
■ Piotrkowska Street is the longest shopping street in the country (about 4 km).
■ The largest factory owner's residence in Poland, the Poznański Palace in Israel, now houses the Museum of the City's History.
■ Lodz is the cradle of Polish cinema. More than 150 films were filmed on his set. The local Walk of Fame is located on Piotrkowska Street: on one side of the street there are stars with the names of the actors, on the opposite - the directors.
■ The Polish king of Lithuanian descent, Vladislav Jagiello, lived an unusually long time for a medieval monarch and died a natural death at the age of 83. He was distinguished by excellent health, ate simple food, drank water instead of wine, walked and hunted a lot, at the age of 70 he conceived an heir. He died of pneumonia, which, they say, he received while listening to nightingales in the forest until late at night.

■ The largest (39.6 ha) Jewish cemetery is located in ód Central Europe(since 1892). Here are buried both the rich and the poor, as well as the victims of the Holocaust.
■ There used to be a cinema “Ivanovo” in Lodz, but it was renamed, and in Ivanovo the cinema “Lodz” still functions.

■ Lodz is the scene of the Promised Land novel by the Polish writer, Nobel Prize laureate in Literature (1924), Wladyslaw Stanislav Reimont (1867-1925). Andrzej Wajda made a film of the same name based on it in 1974.
■ Since 1998, Lodz has officially had its own heinal (the exact time signal that sounds every hour from the main city tower) - this is the work of the Polish composer Stanislav Moniuszko "Spinning Wheel".
■ In the hope of curbing the craving for theft of metal, ód officials asked priests to consecrate the city sewerage hatches, which are valuable for thieves and the city treasury.
■ Maximilian Abramovich Faktorovich, the founder of the Max Factor cosmetic brand, was born in Zdunska Wola in the Lodz Voivodeship. The "Hollywood Wizard", who perfected makeup and makeup, even received an Oscar "for his significant contribution to the development of world cinema."