About Lodz
Łódź is the third-largest city in Poland. Located in the central part of the country, it had a population of 742,387 in December 2009. It is the capital of Łódź Voivodeship, and is approximately 135 kilometres south-west of Warsaw. An important industrial centre, the city, dubbed the Polish Manchester, has been famous for its textile industry, however, after years of prosperity during the socialist era, the city experienced decline after the fall of communism throughout Central and Eastern Europe. In recent years, Łódź was seemingly forgotten by the government, investors, and travelers in favor for other cities, such as Kraków, Warsaw or Wrocław. The weather can be hot in summer and cold in winter. The Piotrkowska Street, which remains the high-street and main tourist attraction in the city, runs north to south for a little over five kilometres (3.1 miles). There are museums and art galleries plus a Jewish Cemetary dating frrom the late 19th century.