Lodz, located in Poland, is the country’s third-largest city. Once a major industrial powerhouse, particularly known for its textile industry (earning it the nickname “Polish Manchester”), it features unique 19th-century red-brick architecture. In recent years, Lodz has undergone significant revitalization, transforming former factories into vibrant cultural centers, museums, shops, and lofts (like the famous Manufaktura complex). It’s also renowned for its National Film School and the bustling Piotrkowska Street, one of Europe’s longest commercial streets.
Top Sightseeing Attractions in Lodz, Poland
Piotrkowska Street
One of Europe’s longest commercial streets (around 4.2 km), this is the vibrant heart of Łódź. Lined with beautiful 19th-century architecture, palaces, and former factory owners’ residences, it’s now packed with restaurants, cafes, pubs, shops, and clubs. Look out for the “Gallery of Great Łódź Citizens” – bronze statues of famous figures like Julian Tuwim on his bench or Artur Rubinstein at his piano. It also features Łódź’s own “Walk of Fame” with stars dedicated to Polish film personalities.
Manufaktura
A massive former textile factory complex owned by Izrael Poznański, impressively revitalized into a sprawling shopping, arts, and entertainment center. The red-brick industrial architecture is stunning. It houses hundreds of shops, restaurants, a cinema, a theatre, museums (including a branch of the MS2 Art Museum and the Factory Museum), a hotel, a climbing wall, and a large public square with a fountain that hosts events.
Ksiezy Mlyn (Priest’s Mill)
A vast 19th-century industrial-residential complex built by Karol Scheibler, another textile magnate. It was designed as a self-sufficient “city within a city” with workers’ houses (familoki), a school, a hospital, shops, and the owner’s grand palace. Today, it’s an atmospheric district with artists’ studios, cafes, and museums, offering a glimpse into Łódź’s industrial past.
Museum of Cinematography (in Scheibler’s Palace)
Located in the opulent former palace of Karol Scheibler within Księży Młyn, this museum showcases the history of Polish cinema. Łódź is home to the renowned National Film School, and this museum celebrates its heritage with exhibits on film technology, pre-cinema devices, posters, and memorabilia related to famous Polish filmmakers.
MS2 – Muzeum Sztuki (Museum of Art)
A branch of the Łódź Museum of Art, located in a renovated weaving mill within the Manufaktura complex. It primarily features an impressive collection of 20th and 21st-century avant-garde art. The main branch, MS1 (at Więckowskiego Street), houses one of the world’s oldest collections of modern art.
Jewish Cemetery
One of the largest Jewish cemeteries in Europe, covering over 40 hectares with around 180,000 graves. It’s a poignant and powerful testament to Łódź’s once-thriving Jewish community, which was decimated during the Holocaust. Notable features include the impressive Izrael Poznański Mausoleum and the “Ghetto Field” where victims of the Łódź Ghetto are buried.
Izrael Poznanski’s Palace (Museum of the City of Łódź)
Often called the “Łódź Louvre,” this magnificent neo-Baroque palace was the residence of textile magnate Izrael Poznański. Its lavish interiors now house the Museum of the City of Łódź, with exhibits detailing the city’s history, its famous residents (like Artur Rubinstein and Julian Tuwim), and the era of industrial tycoons.
EC1 Lodz – Miasto Kultury (City of Culture)
A former power plant beautifully revitalized into a cultural and scientific hub. EC1 includes the “Centre for Science and Technology EC1” (an interactive science museum), a state-of-the-art Planetarium, the National Centre for Film Culture (under development), and a Comic Book and Interactive Narration Centre.
Street Art & Murals (Urban Forms Gallery)
Łódź has gained international recognition for its vibrant street art scene. Numerous large-scale murals, created by Polish and international artists, adorn the sides of buildings throughout the city. The Urban Forms Gallery Foundation is behind many of these projects. You can find maps online or simply wander through the city center to discover these impressive artworks.
Central Museum of Textiles (White Factory)
Housed in the classicist “White Factory” of Ludwik Geyer, one of the oldest monuments of industrial architecture in Poland. The museum showcases the history of the textile industry, with exhibits on textile techniques, machinery, fabrics, and fashion from various periods.
Lagiewniki Park (Las Łagiewnicki)
One of the largest urban parks in Europe, offering a vast green escape from the city. It features walking and cycling paths, ponds, and two historic wooden chapels (St. Anthony and St. Roch). It’s a great place for recreation and enjoying nature.
When visiting Łódź, wear comfortable shoes as many attractions are best explored on foot, especially Piotrkowska Street and the large complexes like Manufaktura and Księży Młyn. Enjoy your trip!