Lodz is the second largest urban centre in Poland with the population of about 900,000. Although the history of Lodz goes well back into the past (it obtained city rights in the 15th century), its actual development and later boom were connected with the 19th century and the foundation of the system of weaver and cloth settlements. Since then, the town has struggled with many difficulties, contradictions and differences, which were vividly documented in the novel 'The Promise Land' written by the Polish Nobel Prize-winning author W.Reymont. The contrasts can still be seen in architecture of the city, where luxurious mansions coexist with redbrick factories and old tenement houses. It also manifests itself in a huge local tolerance to different cultures, religions and nationalities. LODZ is a birthplace of the worldwide known artists including pianist Artur Rubinstein, poet Julian Tuwim.
Nowadays LODZ is an important cultural, scientific, educational and medical centre, which is highly valued for both its rich heritage of traditions and the latest achievements. It is also the seat of many banks and other commercial institutions. Its geographical location in the heart of the country is particularly favorable for development of trade and industry. LODZ is a cradle of Polish Cinematography - many famous Polish directors and cameramen got their education here.
The public transport infrastructure which has been already well developed - The Lodz-Lublinek Airport, the biggest in Poland cargo railway station - will be soon extended by an intersection of two transeuropean motorways.
For cinema lovers LODZ has another place worth visiting - the Lodz Film School. The school has been an important education centre for the greatest Polish film-makers and a pivotal cultural centre for the entire country. At the end of the Second World War Lodz was the only large Polish town besides Cracow that war had not destroyed, unlike Warsaw. The creation of the National Film School gave to the town a role of higher importance from a cultural point of view, which before the war had belonged exclusively to Warsaw and Cracow.
The system of the monumental edifices located in Ogrodowa street is one of the most spectacular examples of the power of the Lodz industry of the 'steam-engine' era. A line of huge buildings opens up with the Poznanski residence. Its truly palatial aspect, exposed situation, yet also its present day function have granted it its leading position among the other Lodz palaces.
Izrael Kalmanowicz Poznanski erected his own family residence at the crossing of present-day Gdanska Street and 1 Maja Street.The interiors of the Poznanski palace, now housing the Music Academy, are exquisite, indeed.
Well-known people born or working in LODZ include:
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Wladyslaw Reymont - Nobel Prize for Literature winner in 1924
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Aleksander Tansman - composer
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Arthur Rubinstein - classical pianist
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Julian Tuwim - poet
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Krzysztof Kieslowski - film director (Three Colors trilogy, The Decalogue)
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Roman Polanski - film director
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