Tuwim's Bench

In front of the former palace at Piotrkowska 104, a bronze figure of the poet sits on a bench with an empty seat beside him, where visitors have sat for photographs over the years.

Who the monument depicts

The sculpture shows Julian Tuwim life-size, seated on a bench with an empty space beside him, as if inviting someone to take it. The figure's nose has been polished to a shine, as it has become customary among passers-by to rub it for good luck.

Artist, date and sponsors

The monument was created by sculptor Wojciech Gryniewicz. It was unveiled on 10 April 1999 and funded by PKO BP and AIG Bank Polska. Tuwim's Bench was the first monument in the Gallery of Great Poles, a series of sculptures created from that year onwards along Piotrkowska Street. In 2018 it was designated as contemporary cultural heritage in the Study of Conditions and Spatial Development Directions for the City of Łódź.

The palace behind the bench

The building behind the poet is the former Palace of Juliusz Heinzel, one of Łódź's greatest industrialists, whose textile mills and spinning factories were located at the same address. The residence was built in the late 1870s and early 1880s.

Practical information

• Address: Piotrkowska 104, Łódź, on the main promenade.
• The monument stands in the open air, accessible without time restrictions.
• Towards the southern end of the promenade stands the Monument to Leon Schiller.
• Further in the same direction stands the Tenement of Karol Eisert.
• Next to it is located Reymont's Suitcase.