Picture history of my home town of Lowicz (Poland)

various | Dec 3, 2006 | lizol

[lizol]

I’ve just got access to set of pictures of my home town of Lowicz throughout the 20th century.

It’s amazing, when you have a chance to compare places, that you have known since you were born - how they looked like 100 years ago and today.

If you like- share this joy with me :-)))

This is the view on the main street of the town – Zdunska Street from the same place – seen in 1916, 1950 and today.

This is more or less comparable view from the Cathedral tower – in 1920s and today

And to the other side

The Old Square and the City Hall

in 1905

And today

Here you can see the same place pictured from different angle. And different time :-)))

New Square in 1915 and today

Zdunska Street 1914/1915 and today

Old Square and view on the Cathedral in 1919 and today

Same building in the Old Square in 1920s and today

Piarists order church

Inside - as a German Army garage during WW1

In 1920s

Today

Evangelical chuch

In 1900

in 1920s

Today

Train station

In 1914/1915

1920-1930

after 1939

and today

Building of the Town Museum (before the WW2 – a High School)

In 1902

1939-1945

Today

Buldings on the Old Square

WW2 - After 1939

Right after the WW2, then 1950s, then 1960s

Today

View from the Cathedral tower in 1915

Right after WW2

And today

View on the Cathedral

In 1905

in 1915

In 1939-1945

In 1950

Today

St. Leonard church

In 1910

After 1939

Today

New Square

In 1920s

Today

[spanalot]

Notice things were much better before and after Communism.

[lizol]

Precisely in the center of Poland



More in English about the town

http://www.um.lowicz.pl/ang.html

[lizol]

Looks like such a lovely town that has survived incredible ravages.

It actually did.

During WW2 Lowicz (and its victinity) lost 11.000 people (out of the pre-war population around 50.000) killed by the Germans.

Earlier - in 17th century the town was almost totally ravaged by the Swedish invaders.

[burzum]

Wow, great photos. It is amazing how few of the buildings have changed over time (other than being cleaned up and repainted). This city is a historical treasure. American cities tend to migrate away from the older areas (or demolish them) over time so there aren't that many cities in the US where a large fraction of old buildings are being used like they were 100 or more years ago. It seems that by looking at these photos the only thing that has really changed is the look of people.

If this city was in the US you would have tourists coming from hundreds or thousands of miles away. This city reminds me of Rainbow Row in Charleston, SC.

[lizol]

I have not heard about any webcams being set up in the town.

But it sounds like a great idea.

The man, who is taking the position of the mayor this Tuesday is my acquaintance. I'll "sell it" to him :-)))

[lizol]

Some pictures of todays Lowicz

[ex-Texan]

Beautiful photos, lizol! Both on this thread and on your FR page as well. I want to visit Poland sometime in the next couple of years. Beautiful country, populated by a great people!

[Polak z Polski]

I have to come visit you someday.
Lowicz jam is good. I wonder, is it more expensive in Lowicz than elsewhere, like mleczko is more expensive in Gostyn?

[Polak z Polski]

I didn't know that you live in Leszno! I have family in Gostyn. In fact, my family used to have an estate nearby, with a little palace, and a lake in the shape of an eye, with trees planted around it to make it look like eyelashes. The communists turned it into a PGR. I have to go back someday, and see what is left of it.