Baluty-Doly

Bałuty-Doły, located in the southern part of Łódź, is an area with a rich history and diverse architecture, inhabited by over 44,000 people. Its boundaries encompass the western part of the former Bałuty district, and the estate's architecture mainly consists of four-story buildings, tenement houses, and single-family homes, with taller housing blocks in some locations. The estate holds cultural significance as it includes parts of the Old Town, where the village of Łodzia is believed to have originated. The historical importance of Bałuty-Doły is underscored by traces of the German occupation, with a Jewish ghetto once existing in the western part of the estate. Bałuty-Doły is characterized by extensive commercial, medical, and educational infrastructure. It features numerous shops and the E.Leclerc hypermarket, as well as 7 primary schools and several secondary schools, including the Academy of Fine Arts. In terms of healthcare, there are hospitals and the Regional Blood Donation Center, ensuring residents have access to medical services. The estate also stands out for its abundance of green spaces, including park complexes that are popular recreational spots. In the southern part, newly established parks along the Łódka River form an important part of the landscape, while in the northern part, there is Park Szarych Szeregów with the Monument to the Martyrdom of Children. Bałuty-Doły is also home to significant cemeteries, including the Roman Catholic Cemetery of St. Vincent and the New Jewish Cemetery, which is the second-largest Jewish necropolis in Europe and holds the status of a site of great historical importance. The latter, with mausoleums of prominent Łódź Jews, is in the process of applying for UNESCO listing. Religion plays a significant role in the life of the estate, which has many Catholic churches and parishes of other denominations, reflecting its diverse religious structure. The estate also boasts extensive transportation links, including the intersection of major national roads and numerous bus lines. In 2019, tram services were suspended, but their restoration is planned for 2023, which will significantly improve internal transportation. Interestingly, Bałuty-Doły reflects the dynamic development of Łódź, combining tradition with modernity, and its architectural diversity, historical contexts, and rich cultural life make this location an interesting point on the map of Łódź.