Here it is – the Polish capital of linen! Żyrardów is the child of the industrial revolution in Congress Poland. It was created around a factory in 1829, and for the next century and a half, the history of the city and of the factory were tied together, for better and for worse.
As one of the biggest linen factories in the world (the stores of Żyrardów Plants were located all over the Russian Empire), the factory in Żyrardów attracted workers from the surrounding villages, but also people from across Europe: including Germans, Jews, Czechs, Russians, Frenchmen and Scots. The factory was surrounded by a modern garden-city. The urban design was strictly connected to the functions of the city’s zones – living, working and resting. Żyrardów became a city in 1916 and at the time, it was the third biggest settlement in Mazowsze, after Warsaw and Płock.
One of the most important events in the history of the city was the 1883 strike of women workers. It was the first general strike in Congress Poland and one of the first strikes organised by women. Since then, Żyrardów was sometimes called a ‘red’ city – both because of the ubiquitous red brick and the activities of the workers’ movements. In 2014, a Linen Work Museum was constructed in the former factory district of Bielnik in order to document the industrial heritage of the city. The historic strike is featured on a mural painted on the building and even re-enacted each year by local citizens.
Walking from Bielnik towards the centre of Żyrardów, you’ll pass through the picturesque Karol Dittrich Park, named after the Shareholders Association of the Żyrardów Plant. Today’s patron of the park was once its owner – he built his impressive palace in the centre of the park, which now houses the Museum of Western Mazowsze. There is also a river, Pisia Gągolina, flowing through the park, crossed by several little bridges. This green enclave in an industrial city is memorable also for its many trees and more than a dozen natural monuments.
A couple of steps away lies the Resursa, a gallery and a community centre created in a former club for factory elites. Right behind it, in the old bowling alley, there is a permanent exhibition dealing with the history of the city. The workers also had their entertainment centre here. The so-called ‘Ludowiec’ is located at the central John Paul II Square and today houses the City Community Centre. At the same square, the Church of Mother Mary of Consolation can also be found. It was designed by Józef Pius Dziekoński, and the stained-glass windows are believed to have been created by Józef Mehoffer. In total, there are around 200 historical buildings in the former industrial town. Żyrardów was named a Monument to History in 2012.
Right next to industrial Żyrardów, on the border between the Łódzkie and the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, you will find the Bolimowski Landscape Park. The local River Rawka is one of the most interesting rivers for kayaking in central Poland, and not only because of the rich nature of the area –it resembles a mountain river in some parts. Those looking for a less active way of spending their time may visit the Mszczonów baths.
The Otwock line: ‘Świder’’ & świdermajer’