Visit Warsaw, Wrocław, Wycombe even, and you’ll find countless examples of literary mastery to aid your enjoyment of the city. Not so in Łódź, where a trip to tourist information will reveal just a handful of books written in your chosen tongue. So, it’s a good job that what there is, is actually very good. One author in particular has nailed the market, and that’s journalist Joanna Podolska, a local-based hack with a clear passion for the city. There’s two books of note here. First up, there’s ‘Łódź – The Golden Book’, a glossy A-4 size effort that retails for approximately 50zł. Presented inside are all the key sights, accompanied by a through commentary that will plug all the gaps in your knowledge. The photography here is superb as well, with several close-up shots of Piotrkowska facades, as well as old archive material such as postcards of pre-war Jewish Łódź. It’s Jewish history that particularly interests Podolska, and that’s the subject of her second book, ‘Traces of the Litzmannstadt-Getto’. As the title suggests, this diary sized book takes readers on a step-by-step tour of the Jewish Ghetto, with detailed commentaries complimented by black and white photographs snapped by Ghetto chroniclers. Put simply this is an absolute must-have and the finest work you’ll find on this chapter in the history of Łódź. Best of all, it’s yours for 30zł. By Podolska’s own admission it’s still very much a work in progress, so keep your eyes peeled for re-prints and updates.You can find the books at EMPiK at ul. Piotrkowska 81 or in Tourist Info outlets.
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Many Jews who survived the Holocaust descended on Łódź at the end of the war, and a new, even thriving community sprang up. Though there were two major waves of state-sponsored emigration to Israel (in 1948 and 1957-8) there remains a thriving Jewish community of around 5,000 [...]

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The Łódź Ghetto was one of the largest Jewish ghettos set up in Nazi-controlled Europe. It stretched over much of the north-central part of the city, comprising the area north of Staromeijski Park (Old Łódź), and out as far as the Jewish Cemetery to the [...]

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The area which once formed the Ghetto is today covered with Socialist Realist leftovers, as well as whole swathes of buildings that seemingly haven’t seen a lick of paint since the Germans left. It’s a real rundown part of the city this, and frankly you’d be advised to keep the camera hidden and a spring-loaded truncheon at hand. On the plus side, the intrepid explorer will be rewarded by a moving trip back in time. Filled with forgotten courtyards and derelict doorways it’s not hard to feel the ghosts of the past as you walk the streets of Łódź’s now silent Jewish quarter. The walking tour we highlight overleaf is just a taster – for the full experience pick up a Ghetto Map from Tourist Information. Before setting off it’s worth bearing in mind a couple of points; firstly, you will be covering a distance of approximately ten kilometers, so its probably not best to attempt this in the middle of summer with a computer bag strapped to you. Secondly, while the map is excellent the descriptions are at best, brief. To get the most out of the sites you’ll be passing be sure to pick up a copy of Joanna Podolska’s ‘Traces of the Litzmannstadt-Getto’ (see Further Reading for details). Finally, the official Tourist Information map recommends starting at the Rynek before concluding your tour at Radegast Station. While this is a logical route for those who wish to follow the chronological history of the Ghetto, it’s certainly not the most practical. Radegast is in the middle of nowhere, so to get the most out of your day we suggest taking a taxi first to Radegast, and then following the trail all the way back to the centre – not vice versa.
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