Łódź in Poland: Why the underrated city is worth a visit

Cities in Poland ? Warsaw , Kraków , and Gdansk come to mind. Few people have probably heard of Łódź. The city, with a population of around 700,000, is located in central Poland, just about an hour from Warsaw.

Łódź is the capital of the Łódzkie Voivodeship (Lodz Region) and, within just a few years of the 19th century, developed from a village into Europe's largest textile metropolis. The numerous factory complexes still bear witness to this era. However, clothing production has long since ceased behind the walls – instead, museums, galleries, cultural institutions, and restaurants have settled in the industrial complexes.

This mix makes Łódź an exciting city, definitely worth a visit off the beaten track. Find out why you should definitely explore Łódź here.

The heart of the city is the nearly five-kilometer-long Piotrkowska Street. Lined with restaurants, cafés, bars, and boutiques, the street forms Łódź's main shopping and promenade. It begins at Plac Wolności, a large square surrounded by residential complexes and buildings. At the southern end of the promenade are Łódź Cathedral and the Church of St. Stanisław Kostka.

Anyone strolling along Piotrkowska Street should definitely look down at the ground. A short stretch of the street is home to the so-called Alley of Stars, the Polish equivalent of the Los Angeles Walk of Fame . Over 90 stars already pave the street, highlighting the city's connection to Polish film. After World War II, Łódź made a name for itself as a film capital.

Also worth a stop is Off Piotrkowska, a huge arts and culture center along Piotrkoskwa Street. The site of a former cotton factory now houses pubs, various shops, studios, and restaurants.

Piotrkowska Street is the heart of Łódź.

Source: imago images/Eastnews

The magnificent Poznański Palace was once the residence of the eponymous entrepreneur, Izrael Kalmanowicz Poznański. His career began with the opening of a textile shop, and from there he quickly developed into one of Łódź's wealthiest manufacturers.

Today, the magnificent interiors are open to the public. The palace also houses the Łódź City Museum. The exhibitions depict the former lives of wealthy Łódź families as well as the everyday lives of the workers. The palace's exterior is also eye-catching. With its L-shaped design and bright façade, the building is a defining feature of the district.

The magnificent Poznański Palace is one of the must-sees in Łódź.

Source: IMAGO/Depositphotos

Like so much of Łódź, the EC1 was once a factory, more specifically a thermal power plant. Today, the over 40,000 square meters of space host exhibitions and events on a wide variety of topics.

Among other things, changing exhibitions in the 8,500-square-meter Science and Technology Center provide information on scientific topics. The center also includes a planetarium, also located behind the thick factory walls! The National Center for Film Culture features several exhibitions dedicated to the history of film, and there's also a cinema. Anyone planning a visit to EC1 should allow plenty of time; there's plenty to discover.

Pfaffendorf is the largest historic factory complex in the city of Łódź. The factory-housing complex was built in the 19th century by Karl Scheibler, the city's wealthiest industrialist. At that time, Pfaffendorf was something of a city within a city. It included two hospitals, a school, apartments, and factory buildings.

With the collapse of the textile industry, the factories closed, and the workers left the neighborhood. Today, however, the area is no less vibrant: festivals and fashion shows are held in the former factories, old villas and palaces have been converted into museums, restaurants and pubs provide the necessary refreshment, and the green spaces offer relaxation.

Formerly a factory complex, now a cultural center: the Pfaffendorf district in Łódź.

Source: IMAGO/Dreamstime

Covering an area of ​​67 hectares, the Łódź Botanical Garden is one of the largest botanical gardens in Poland . Over 3,400 plants grow in the garden, from colorful tulips to cherry trees. The botanical garden is divided into nine sections, including a Japanese garden and a section for Polish plants.

The Botanical Garden also features an old farmhouse. Today, it serves as an open-air museum. Traditional flower, herb, and fruit varieties grow in the garden in front of the house. Workshops, exhibitions, and lectures are also offered here during the summer months. The Botanical Garden is open from April to October; admission costs the equivalent of approximately €3.

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