Manufaktura in Łódź is one of Europe's most successful post-industrial revitalisations. A former 27-hectare cotton mill of Izrael Poznański (opened 1872, the largest in the Russian Empire) transformed 2001-2006 into Poland's 3rd largest shopping and cultural complex. ## History of Poznański's Factory Izrael Kalmanowicz Poznański (1833-1900) — Jewish factory owner, the richest man in 19th-century Łódź. In 1872 he founded a cotton mill that quickly grew to become the largest in the Russian Empire (which included central Poland at the time). Peak employment: 5,000 workers, own hospital, workers' housing, kindergarten, fire brigade, orchestra. Products: cotton yarn, calico, printed fabrics — exported across the Russian Empire, from Warsaw to Vladivostok. In 1900 Poznański's factory generated 30% of Łódź's industrial output. Poznański died in 1900. The empire passed to sons: Herman, Karol and Maurycy. World War I ended the golden era — after the Russian Revolution 1917 the eastern market disappeared. The Poznański family lost 80% of assets. The factory operated on lower scale during the interwar period. Second World War: Nazi occupation converted the factory to Wehrmacht supplies. After 1945 nationalised as "Zakłady Włókiennicze Poltex". Employment fell to 2,000. By 1990 completely non-competitive with global imports. Closed 1997. ## Revitalisation 2001-2006 Investor: Apsys (French shopping centre developer) + Manufaktura sp. z o.o. Cost: 200 million euros. Renovation preserved 90% of red brick industrial architecture — walls, chimneys, water tower, canals. New glass and steel elements added for functionality. Opening: 17 May 2006. 250 shops, 4 restaurants (now 40+), 25 cinema halls (Silver Screen), 3 museums, event square 24,000 m². Poland's 3rd largest shopping centre. ## Today - **Rynek Manufaktury**: central square 24,000 m², summer concerts, ice rink in winter - **Museum of the Factory**: history of the Poznański cotton mill and industrial Łódź - **Museum of Modern Art MS2**: contemporary Polish art (branch of Muzeum Sztuki) - **Muzeum Fabryki Świąt**: seasonal Christmas installations - **Andels by Vienna House**: 4-star hotel in former weaving hall - **Bajkowa Łódź**: children's museum with animated characters (Miś Uszatek, Bolek i Lolek) Fountain Show every Friday-Sunday summer 21:30 — Poland's largest multimedia fountain performance, dancing water to music, free. ## Practical - Entry: free, open 10-22 daily - Parking: 25 PLN/day - Location: north Łódź, 10 min walk from Piotrkowska north end (Plac Wolności) - Combined ticket for 3 museums: 40 PLN