Step 1: Visiting Palaces

Edward Herbst (1844-1921) married Matylda Scheibler in May 1875. Their residence in Księży Młyn, most probably designed by Hilary Majewski, was erected in the same year. Built in the style of Italian Renaissance, the Beat was an element of a larger spatial arrangement comprising: a huge factory complex, a workers' estate and the above-mentioned residence. Following the example of the oldest Scheibler Łódź investment in Wodny Rynek the seat of the director stood in the close vicinity of the factory itself. E. Herbst could hear the hum of his machinery in the nearby spinning-house.
At the same time the Neo-Renaissance villa, situated on the River Jasień differed greatly from the remaining parts of the Księży Młyn estate. It was a closed-up organism, its inner life turned more towards a garden undulating towards a pond, rather than the red-brick spinning-houses. The seat owes its rich interior design to the taste of its owner - among others the English Gothic ball chamber and the exuberant rococo mirror parlour. Their original beauty was blurred by the post-World War 2 devastation and rebuilding. It was only after the object had passed into the hands of the Muzeum Sztuki in Łódź, that restoration and conservation work began in order to bring back its former splendour. The restored interiors now house exposition of the Łódź industrialist world gone by. The other buildings of the Herbst estate - a 'Swiss' -style out-building and a green-house - have been adapted for exhibition purposes. The effort which had restored the Herbst seat to its splendour was recognised in 1990 when the 'Księży Młyn Residence' was awarded the elitist Europa Nostra award.
The residence has remained one of the most interesting and most frequently visited historical sites of the former industrial metropolis. It can also serve as a good example of a new approach to the cultural heritage of the city of Łódź.

The museum stocks exhibits featuring the history of Polish cinematography. The permanent exposition illustrates various stages of the advancement of film technology. Temporary exhibitions focus on film history, recent Polish blockbusters and contemporary Polish art, in particular photography and media art.

Tickets: ordinary- 5 zl, discount- 3 zl. Entrance on Tuesdays is free.

"The museum is housed in the mid-nineteenth century small palace (residence) of Karol Scheibler, one of the most important Lodz industrialists of German origin, known as “The Cotton King” because of his wealth and the scale of his production. The palace was rebuilt in 1886-88 in the form of the present neo-renaissance style. Situated in the historic Zrodlisko park, next to the extensive former factory complex and workers’ estate, it exemplifies the city’s multicultural past and its former power as a centre of the textile industry. The quiet harmonious facade of the building is in sharp contrast to the richness of the multiple styles of the eclectic interiors. The elements of the interior which have survived in relatively good condition are the stucco decoration, fireplaces, painted decoration, wooden panelling and furniture, fabric for furniture covering, wallpaper, mosaics, floors and stained-glass windows. These constitute an authentic exhibition of the city’s industrial historic past in the years of its birth and development and also refer to the history of Polish cinema: in the post-war years the palace often changed ownership and its interiors were often used as film studios. They have appeared in many Polish films such as The Promised Land, the masterpiece by Andrzej Wajda.
The Museum of Cinematography took over the building and its surrounds (together with the carriage house and courtyard) in 1986. This is where it houses its collection of film exhibits and documents the history of Polish cinema – arts, techniques and film production, of which Lodz has been the centre for many years. As part of the preservation of tradition the museum is also careful to exhibit and emphasise the history of the palace and the story of the Scheibler family and its considerable part in the development of £ód¼ as an industrial city In the museum collection are found valuable, often unique equipment of the period immediately preceding the development of cinema: magic lanterns, stereoscopes, optical games; a true pearl among them is the still working, original 19th century photo-plasticon by the August Fuhrmann company. There are also amateur and professional film cameras (the earliest from the beginning of the 20th century) for various film gauges; also projectors and screens, a large collection of still cameras and equipment, machines and equipment for the processing of film material and lighting and associated apparatus. An important part of the collection consists of film set and costume designs, designs and décor for animated films, photos, photo-documentation from the sets of selected productions, prizes and personal souvenirs concerning the greatest Polish cinema authors. The collection of Polish and foreign film posters is among the most important in existence. Posters from this collection are often exhibited in national and international exhibitions (in USA, Canada, Germany, Ukraine, Denmark and the Czech Republic). They often illuminate themes of other temporary exhibitions, including themes and periods in Polish cinema, contemporary Polish super-productions, children’s films and monographic exhibitions of notable filmmakers. The sphere of interest of the museum includes directors, cinematographers, script writers, actors, art directors, film historians and critics and also young exponents in the art of film, studying in the neighbouring, world famous, Lodz film school (PWSFTviT). The museum is also the organiser of Polish national events: The Festival of Film Music and the media festival: „Czlowiek w Zagrozeniu” (Man in Difficulties), which consists of contemporary Polish documentary films on social themes. "
(from http://www.kinomuzeum.pl/muzen.html)

The Poznanski Palace is known as one of the largest and greatest residence of its type. The Palace (was built in XIX century) was bought by Jewish factory-owner Izrael Poznanski in the year 1877. The effort of many architects (mainly Hilary Majewski and Juliusz Jung), designers and artists resulted in the present shape of the building, which is much more decorative and comfortable than others in Lodz. The front of the palace is very interesting and has its ideological program. The building is decorated with copulas, pinnacles, and shields with monogram "P", garlands of fruit and other architectural details. The main part of the building was designed in neo-baroque style. The main accent of the interior facade is the terraced portico. The palace is functionally connected with a huge cotton production plant, a housing estate for workers and other accompanying buildings. In the year 1975 the main part of the building was adapted by Museum of History of City Lodz. Don't forget to visit beautiful garden, where you can see a lot of fabulous sculptures.

You can see a lot of permanent exhibition there:
1. From the history of Lodz (history, culture, everyday life)
2. Triada Łodzka - the tree great nationalities: Poles, Germans, Jews
3. Aleksander Tansman. Life & art
4. Jerzy Kosiński.
5. Bacewicz Family
6. Room of prof. Jan Karski
7. Exhibition devoted to Karl Dedeciusz, poet & translator
8. "But I prefer Lodz!" Tracks of Julian Tuwim
9. Exhibition devoted to Lodz Ghetto
10. Władysław Stanisław Reymont
11. Galery of Music im. Artura Rubinsteina

Sundays- free of charge. Tickets cost: kids- 4 zl, adults - 7 zl.