10 things the rest of Poland can envy Łódź for

Łódź may not be the capital of Poland, but the rest of the country can certainly envy it for many things: from a unicorn stable to Europe's largest forest complex within a city, the longest shopping street, or Poland's first woonerf. Łódź holds many other treasures within. See what all of Poland can envy it for!

1. Las Łagiewnicki – Europe's largest forest complex within a city

Near the beautiful ponds in Arturówek, a yellow hiking trail runs, leading to Las Łagiewnicki. This is the largest forest area in Europe located within city limits. It spans as much as 1,205 hectares. Interestingly, the forest is just fifteen minutes' walk from the city center.

Las Łagiewnicki owes its name to an ancient settlement from the 11th century, whose inhabitants produced łągwie—wooden and leather vessels—which they then supplied to the ducal court in Zgierz, where they were used for transporting and storing beverages. The forest is the heir to the former Puszcza Łódzka and stretches across the Bzura river basin. Besides beautiful landscapes, you can also enjoy numerous cycling and hiking paths. The yellow trail running through Las Łagiewnicki leads all the way to Łagiewniki. While traversing this route, it's particularly worth stopping in the Łagiewniczanka river valley, where you can see two historic wooden chapels: Saint Roch's from the 18th century and Saint Anthony's, dating back to the 17th century.

The Bzura flows toward Arturówek, creating three water reservoirs along the way. Located in a picturesque forest valley, they became the reason for establishing Łódź's largest recreational center with a kayaking and rowing station.

2. A unique museum in Poland – Muzeum Kinematografii (Museum of Cinematography)

Typically, a museum visit allows you to travel through time. But a visit to the Łódź Museum of Cinematography offers the opportunity to visit the world of beloved films and cartoons, return to childhood, and meet favorite characters in person. Picturesque, the museum is located in Pałac Scheiblera in Parku Źródliska. It is unique because nowhere else in Poland will you find everything related to cinema in one place. You can admire posters, iconic set pieces, technical equipment that made legendary films possible, as well as memorabilia from cinema history. The permanent exhibition showcases technical devices related to cinema's development, including cameras and projectors. The "60 Years of Polish Animation" exhibition is a treat for cartoon fans. Here you can see puppets and set pieces from the most famous animated films created in Łódź, as well as specially arranged film sets and animation equipment.

3. The most palaces in one city

The result of Łódź's intensive development in the 19th and 20th centuries is a remarkable industrial-palace landscape, unique not only in Poland but throughout Europe. Because many magnates lived and built their empires in Łódź, we can still admire beautiful palaces, residences, and townhouses, often monumentally rising right next to factory complexes. There are as many as 27 such palaces here, and this number doesn't even reflect all the architectural treasures that Łódź has to offer.

4. Łódź Planetarium

While other cities in Poland also have breathtaking and fascinating planetariums, the Łódź one is not only an example of how fascinating science is, but also proof of the possibility of revitalizing historic buildings. EC1 is located in the buildings of the former Elektrownia Łódź, which first delighted Łódź residents in 1907 when electricity reached their homes. Currently, this location houses the EC1 Wschód complex, which includes the planetarium. In 2008, a lengthy renovation process of the building complex at Targowa 1/3 began, resulting in today's science center.

5. Poland's first woonerf

Living streets (as the Dutch term woonerf can be translated) are becoming increasingly popular in Poland, but let's not forget that it was in Łódź where the first one was created. Architect Bartosz Zimny brought the idea to the city, and with the support of the Fenomem Foundation and funds from the "Citizen's Budget" project, Ulica 6. Sierpnia was transformed into a vibrant woonerf where Łódź residents love to pop in for lunch, coffee, or simply to rest on benches. The street forces cars to drive more slowly and carefully, while allowing residents to use the full width of the street. Trees were planted, tables and seating areas set up. Various restaurants, lunch bars, and boutiques quickly moved in, and during peak hours, you couldn't find a free seat. Today, Ulica Traugutta and Piramowicza, Selekcyjna, Świerkowa, and Pszenną have also been converted into woonerf streets.

6. Europe's longest shopping street

Indeed, Łódź's Ulica Piotrkowska is the longest shopping street in all of Europe. It stretches for 4.2 kilometers and captivates with the beauty of its townhouses, shop windows, cafés, and restaurants. Piotrkowska connects Plac Wolności with Plac Niepodległości. During a stroll along it (and it's worth noting that the vast majority of it is simply a pedestrian mall), you'll encounter monuments to artists and great industrialists associated with Łódź, as well as true architectural gems. Beautiful Art Nouveau townhouses charm with their rich ornaments and mix with modern storefronts of trendy shops. A walk along Piotrkowska is definitely a must-see point on any trip to Łódź.

7. The world's only unicorn stable

In this playful yet charming way, Łódź residents named the recently created shelter, which is also a tram station. The structure is based on an interesting idea by architect Jan Gałecki, who placed a colorful stained-glass roof on curved pillar supports. As the creator himself says, his project is a quote from Łódź Art Nouveau. It certainly gives the city center warmth and energy and stands out significantly against the gray surroundings. The project was very well received by Łódź residents, who admire its appearance, especially at night. Evidence of sympathy for this idea is the charming name—a unicorn stable.

8. The most engaged community of residents in city matters

Łódź residents undoubtedly outshine many Polish cities when it comes to engagement in public affairs. They eagerly participate in various projects, such as the Citizen's Budget. Thanks to their engagement, famous woonerf streets have been created. You also can't deny them local patriotism, which they express by engaging in grassroots projects. According to estimates by the Łódź City Office, in 2017, 1,584 applications were submitted to the Citizen's Budget project. This is the most applications per capita in Poland.

9. Łódzka Manufaktura

One of the more interesting ideas for adapting former factory complexes to modern needs is Łódzka Manufaktura. Today it is a huge shopping, entertainment, and recreational center, but once it housed Izrael Poznański's factories. Opened in 2006, the center is located between Ulica Zachodnia, Ogrodowa, Drewnowska, and Kraskiego. It's also worth noting that it's the second largest commercial space in Eastern Europe and the second in Poland (after Wrocław's Bielany). The total rental space of Łódzka Manufaktura is 110,000 square meters.

10. Extraordinary history

The city's history remembers many very difficult moments, such as World War II and the ghetto uprising. Whatever one might say, the 19th and 20th centuries passed under the sign of extraordinarily rapid development for Łódź. At that time, the city became famous for the development of light industry not only against the backdrop of the Russian Empire but throughout Europe. The number of residents also grew rapidly. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 300,000 residents in Łódź, and before World War I—already 500,000. In the early years of the last century, the city gained the status of a major industrial center.