It took us 278 km (Toll fees 40 PLN, Diesel 4,59 PLN / l at Orlen) to get into Poland’s third-largest city Łódź. Although the settlement here received its town charter from King Ladislaus Jagiełłon all the way back in 1423, the town didn’t experience rapid development until just 200 years ago. As a result of the enormous investment and the hard work of Jews, Germans, Russians, and Poles, Łódź grew to become Europe’s main textile manufacturing center. Łódź today is a red-brick city full of contrasts, it’s famous for its architecture (both historic and modern), its colorful street art, its Jewish heritage, its many fine museums and art galleries, and its swinging, affordable nightlife. It is also the center of Poland’s film industry. Factory owners built their elegant palaces beside their production buildings, a few dozen of which can be admired to this day. Most noteworthy among them is Izrael Poznański’s insanely opulent palace, situated next to his former textile factory, which has been reborn as the Manufaktura complex (multi-story shopping mall and leisure center with several bars, restaurants, and cafes), where we have parked. It’s a really great place in the evening, we took our dinner at Whiskey in the Jar (Burger 39 PLN, Salmon steak 59 PLN, Lech Beer 0,5 l / 12 PLN) and after that chilled out at Beach Bar (Okocim Beer 0,5 l / 9 PLN, Mojito 23 PLN). The next day we strolled around popular Piotrkowska Street – Poland’s longest promenade, lined with boutiques, clubs, pubs, and statues of famous Polish artists; the most spectacular of which portrays Artur Rubinstein playing the piano. After that, we took our last dinner again at Manufaktura in the Tawerna Pepe Verde (Pizza 35,50 PLN, Czech Holba, or Litovel Beer 0,5 l / 12,50).
Parking location – Łódź: 51.778836N 19.439124E (🚻)