Former Building of the Municipal Credit Society

At Pomorska 21, formerly at the address Średnia 17, stands an imposing Neo-Renaissance building with a relief-carved façade. Today the building serves as a rental space for events, but its architecture still recalls its original, institutional purpose.

Headquarters of a credit institution

Why was this building constructed? The building was erected in 1878-1881 according to a design by architect Hilary Majewski as the headquarters of the Municipal Credit Society in Łódź, the second such mortgage credit institution in the Kingdom of Poland. It was founded by Łódź industrialists who wanted to facilitate financing of building investments, and among its initiators was Andrzej Rosicki.

Motto on the façade

What can be read on the pediment? The façade is crowned by a triangular pediment with relief work and the Latin maxim VIRIBUS UNITIS, meaning united by strength, which refers directly to the founding idea of the society based on the joint action of industrialists. The institution itself operated at this address from 1872 to 1939.

From university to renovation

What happened to the building after the war? In 1945 the building was taken over by the University of Łódź, and later the Medical Academy in Łódź was housed in it. Since 1996 the building has been in private hands, and in the years 2008-2011 it underwent thorough renovation, which restored the sculptures on the elevation and the original colour of the sandstone.

A venue for events today

What does the building serve today? Today the spaces of the former building are rented out for business meetings, cultural events and celebrations, so the interiors are usually viewed on the occasion of such events, rather than as part of regular visiting.

Monument and surroundings

What else is there to see nearby? The building was entered in the heritage register under number A/89 by decision of 20 January 1971. Nearby, at plac Wolności [Freedom Square], stands the monument to Tadeusz Kościuszko, and plac Wolności itself is a natural reference point for this part of Śródmieście [city centre district]. A few steps further, on Pomorska, there remains a former synagogue, and on Piotrkowska the tenement of Abraham Prussak.

Practical information

• Address: ulica Pomorska 21, Łódź, Śródmieście district.
• Getting there: by tram or bus to stops at plac Wolności or Pomorska, then on foot.
• What to expect: the elevation and pediment are viewed from outside; entry to the interior is usually associated with a specific event organised in the building.