Polesie is not the first tourist choice when it comes to Łódź. This area is more raw and real. Many old apartment buildings here are still waiting in the queue to be noticed and renovated because they have earned it over the years. History often explains what we see here today. The urban layout, architectural details, and street names – each of these elements may hide secrets, explanations, and stories. Although this area is quite close to the city centre, being here feels like time travel.
Polesie is a place where many street artists left their mark. Discovering this area comes with endless “wow!”s and “oh!”s. How could you not be amazed when some of the most recognisable Łódź murals are right here?
Table of Contents
- Street Art in Łódź: Stare Polesie
- Need a map?
- Street Art in Łódź: street art and mural tour
- Street Art in Łódź: Koziny
- Street Art in Łódź: Retkinia
- Street Art in Łódź: Zdrowie
- Street Art in Łódź: the Map
Polesie is divided into five neighbourhoods: Stare Polesie, Koziny, Retkinia, Złotno, and Zdrowie. And that’s the route I’ll be taking you for a (more or less) walk. 🙂
Street Art in Łódź: Stare Polesie
Legionów Street and its surroundings
This is one of those streets in Łódź where you’ll find well-known names from the street art scene right next to each other. It’s a really pleasant place to walk. The street has been revitalised, there aren’t many cars around, and the vibe is just right. I’d recommend switching into an attentive observer mode while exploring it and not rushing at all. Every mural here deserves plenty of attention!
Don’t get lost in Łódź! Support my work and enjoy my personal Łódź map on Google Maps. ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡
Legionów street it’s not only about murals. You also find here some wall writings…
…and even neon light!
Świętego Jerzego Street branches off from Legionów Street. I recommend taking a turn there. Some charming little treasures are waiting for you. 😉
Wólczańska Street and its surroundings
If you’re looking for a street full of contrasts, here it is. Crumbling, abandoned factories sit right to brand-new apartments. Developer-friendly murals share walls with street art that couldn’t care less about anyone’s opinion. Grey, cracked sidewalks meet elegant, greened woonerfs.
And that’s exactly what makes it exciting. There’s so much to discover here!
Pssst… I’ll skip the murals I mentioned in my Śródmieście article, since Wólczańska is kind of on the border. You can check out the article here:
Here’s the fun stuff:
A lot of art disappears in the blink of an eye but hey that’s just the nature of street art. So it’s good to check Wólczańska from time to time. You never know when something new will surprise you.
Gdańska Street and its surroundings
This street might not be a special one when it comes to street art. Still, there are two quite fun places here connected to institutional art.
The first one is MS1. If you’re into contemporary art, you should definitely check it out.
The second place is Stara Drukarnia. It’s more of an office space, but they regularly host indoor exhibitions and have some awesome murals in their courtyard. Just try to get in during working hours.
Besides these, on Gdańska (or just one step away from it) you’ll find:
Żeromskiego Street and its surroundings
This street unfortunately became famous for reasons that weren’t very positive. But that’s all behind us, and now you can calmly admire one of the most original murals in Łódź. However, you should hurry with it, as the building is currently (January’26) under renovation. :<
Besides the Vhils piece, you’ll find in this area:
Somewhere Between Struga / Kopernika / Pogonowskiego / Strzelców Kaniowskich / Łąkowa Streets
Okay, it’s time to dive deeper into Stare Polesie. You might notice the buildings around you getting a bit rougher, and the area may feel a bit more gloomy and grey. But don’t panic. The murals will make up for everything!
Need a map?
Support my work and get access to my Łódź map on Google Maps. ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡
Sadly, I wasn’t lucky enough so far to get inside so the photo of the Meisal461 and Ovca mural was taken by my lovely husband from behind the fence. But I’ll keep trying to get inside, and you should too! It’s worth it. Not only is the mural there, but also a smaller piece by Natalia Rak and works by other amazing artists.
Street Art in Łódź: street art and mural tour
Wanna learn more about Polesie murals? Let’s take a walk — details here.
Street Art in Łódź: Koziny
There isn’t that much street art here to talk about for hours. You’ll find a rather strange building with… well, it’s really hard to say what exactly but let’s just assume they’re murals. Either way, if you’re already in the neighbourhood, it’s absolutely worth a look.
Besides that, I came across a stencil portrait of Katarzyna Korbo, one of the most important sculptors in Poland. If you didn’t have chance to see her work, you should definitely go to Art Museum during your stay in Łódź!
And then there’s the one place you really shouldn’t miss here: the Old Cemetery. I know, I know – cemetery tourism isn’t exactly my thing either. But this one in Łódź? It gets me. For two reasons.
First: despite the name, it’s not just ONE cemetery. It’s actually three, right next to each other: Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Evangelical-Augsburg. And the second: this place is simply beautiful. Calm, heavy with history, and covered with greenery.
Street Art in Łódź: Retkinia
Wait the minute! Yes, we’re moving on to Retkinia, but before that… Let’s stop between Stare Polesie and Retkinia, and admire an exceptional mural hidden around blocks of flats.
And here we are! It’s time for one and only, the most breathtaking mural in Łódź, or even in the whole of Poland. Photos can’t capture how amazing this INTI ‘piece’ really is!
After seeing INTI, it’s not easy to care about other murals. But for me, there’s one more mural in Retkinia that’s still worth seeing. It’s Warty take on Salvador Dali.
Well, in Retkinia you’ll also find what I like I to call ‘decorations – a few murals by the same artist, all in a very similar style. Nothing too wild, so mild colours, calm vibes, and a safe choice for the neighbourhood and artists too.
Street Art in Łódź: Zdrowie
Zdrowie is mostly green areas. Perfect for walks but also home to the zoo and other touristy classics. But you can spot some graffiti on the zoo fence and a couple of random murals hiding around the area. So far, this is the only one I’ve managed to catch, and sadly, the artist remains (at least for me) unknown. But the hunt is on, both for the author and for more street art in Zdrowie!
Street Art in Łódź: the Map
And here’s where we wrap things up. But you need to know that Polesie still has more to offer! Just keep your eyes open and stay curious.
If you’re planning to explore on your own, you can use the Street Art Cities app or check out my Google Map, where I’ve pinned much more than just murals. 😉
Support me and get access to the map. ✨
Need a bit more help? let’s connect and see how I can help you out.
One thing is for sure – exploring Polesie is fun.
Take care and see you in Łódź!
Karolajn
Pssst! I’d love it if you shared some thoughts in the comments after your walk!
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