Heinzels' Chapel

The Heinzl Family Chapel, located in the Old Cemetery at Ogrodowa Street in Łódź, is not only a valuable example of Neo-Renaissance architecture but also a testament to the history of Łódź's industry. Built between 1899 and 1903 at the request of Paulina née Volkmann, the widow of one of Łódź's greatest industrialists, it was designed by the Berlin architect Franz Schwechten. The chapel's form references the Sigismund Chapel at Wawel Castle and is one of the last such mausoleums in Poland. The structure has a rectangular plan with an attached apse, and its main entrance is a Doric portico adorned with decorative oak doors inspired by Italian designs. The exterior walls are embellished with rustication and pseudo-columns, while the interior is crafted from creamy Szydłowiec sandstone. In the past, the chapel housed a marble statue of Juliusz Heinzel, which is now lost. The interior leads down to a crypt, and a cross rises atop the dome. The chapel not only commemorates the Heinzl family but also forms a significant part of Łódź's cultural heritage, blending architecture with regional history. An interesting detail is that the lower sections of the walls are divided by parapets featuring angel reliefs, highlighting the exceptional artistic details of this building.