Izrael Kalmanowicz Poznański, the owner of the industrial complex in Ogrodowa Street, is considered the biggest industrialist of Lodz of Jewish origin. In the beginning of his career he managed a textile shop at the Old Square and within a couple of years he became the owner of the second industrial fortune in Lodz. In the 1870s, Poznański began the construction of the plant in the neighbourhood of the cross section of Ogrodowa and Zachodnia streets. The fast development of the enterprise and advantageous conditions resulted in the construction of one of the largest factory buildings in the city – the cotton mill on Ogrodowa. Next to it, Poznański built his palace which stands out due to its luxurious elevations and richly decorated interiors. The empire also included workers’ houses and palaces of Poznański’s descendants, Maurycy and Karol Poznański. Similarly to other production plants, after World War II, Poznański’s factory was managed by the state and operated under the name “Poltex” until the 1990’s.
Currently the area of the main industrial complex are the commercial-recreational-cultural center Manufaktura. Izrael Poznański’s palace houses the Museum of the City of Lodz, Karol Poznański’s palace is the Academy of Music, whereas Maurycy Poznański’s house was converted into the Museum of Art.
Useful links:
Manufaktura
Museum of the City of Łódź
Muzeum of Art MS 1 & MS 2
Museum of The Factory
Acacemy of Music
Mały Theatre
