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| Just a small part of the manufaktura |
Museum of the Factory or Muzeum Favryki, if you prefer, was my first sightseeing trip in Łódź, and it was one of my favorites. Located in the Manufaktura, a friend had told me that the museum was small and difficult to find. So when I saw comments online about it’s location within the mall, I made note. I’ll add to that description now in case you’re planning a visit.
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| The factory during its heyday |
The museum is near the cinema and arcade at the northern end of the complex, so follow the signs in that direction. There is an elevator just outside the cinema, take that to the 2nd floor. (Being a silly American, I got a little confused because I had already taken the escalator up one flight, so I mistakenly thought I was on the second floor. I’ve been here long enough that I should know better; the ground level is 0. Take the elevator to the top floor or 2nd floor.) There you’ll find the entrance; admission is 4 zl, about $1.50.
The museum is small, but with photographs, samples of machinery and the cloth produced, and even enlarged architechural drawings of this magniciant building, they tell the story of this texile mill and the people who lived here. The signage is in Polish and English, so I was able to get the full story.
The buildings that made up this complex were plain and functional on the inside. On the outside, the red brick work involved such beauty and architectural detail right down to the huge smokestacks. There is no doubt that the intention was to create something akin to a monument.
This series of factories rose to prominence in the late 1800s and were the property of Izrael Poznanski, a Jewish merchant. His factories drew workers from much of Poland as well as other countries. There were tenements built for the workers. Some of these are still standing and are on my sightseeing list for the next visit to Łódź. The factory complex was a self-contained town right down to its own brass band.
The museum is very visitor friendly, and includes some hands on activities for children. Photography is encouraged. There was a group on school kids on a tour, and the docent started up on of the looms for them. Can you imagine what the noise would have been like with the hundreds on machines running in the photo at the top of this post?
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