Karol Poznanski Palace in Lodz

Izrael Kalmanowicz Poznanski erected his own family residence at the crossing of the former Dluga Street – the present-day Gdanska Street and Schulz Passage – now called 1 Maja Street. The palace was designed by Adolf Seligson, author of, among others, Silberstein’s mill in Piotrkowska Street, a number of other residences and palaces, yet also the ritual buildings in the Jewish cemetery. The residence was given its stylistic attire following the manner of the Florentine Renaissance with its characteristic double-Windows and impressive rustications upon the facades, the motifs known from the l5th c. residences of Toscany.

The palace was yet created in Lodz at the turn of the 20th century, and it had to correspond to the spirit of the times as well as people’s contemporary needs. Hence it also contained some solutions typical for the other industrialist seats. Worth our attention is doubtless the vaulted gateway from 1 Maja Street, the main entrance to the residence. Also the corner tower on the oval plan, covered with an elliptical dome, or the slightly projecting fragments of the facades and bay-Windows point to the fact the Italian Renaissance was there adapted and transformed. The interiors of the Poznanski palace, now housing the Music Academy, are exquisite, indeed. Their beauty is enhanced by the impressive, round staircase with wrought-iron banisters, a masterpiece of artistic blacksmithery, covered with a stately vaulted ceiling. The residence also possesses its own intimate ‘winter garden’ under a glass roof. It is most appealing when viewed from the palace park, especially in spring, when its beautiful magnolia bushes are in Pull bloom. The huge building is surrounded with an ornamented wrought-iron fence.

Address: 32 Gdanska Street