EC1 Łódź – City of Culture (Science Center and Planetarium)

EC1 Łódź – City of Culture is a former power station in Łódź (say "WOODGE") reborn as a cluster of museums: Poland's largest science and technology center, a state-of-the-art planetarium, a national exhibition on Polish cinema and a comics and video game museum. It sits right next to Łódź Fabryczna railway station. Looking for things to do in Łódź with kids, or on a rainy day? Start here.

Where it is and how to get there

Łódź lies in the center of Poland, about 130 km southwest of Warsaw. Direct trains from Warsaw to Łódź Fabryczna take roughly an hour and a half. EC1's address is Targowa 1/3, a short walk from the station. Drivers can use the free EC1 parking lot at Dowborczyków 7; if it is full, there is a paid underground garage beneath the station.

From coal to culture

The plant started supplying electricity in 1907 and kept working as a peak-load combined heat and power station until 2000. Hence the name: EC1 means "combined heat and power plant no. 1." A cultural institution was set up in 2008 and has been run jointly by the city and Poland's Ministry of Culture since 2015. The restoration, worth more than 265 million PLN, kept the brick halls and much of the original machinery. In 2023 the complex joined the European Route of Industrial Heritage. Old coal unloaders and rail tracks still stand in the courtyards with explanatory boards, so even a free walk around the site is rewarding.

What to see

• Science and Technology Center (opened in January 2018): more than 150 exhibits spread through the old turbine hall, boiler house, pump room and switchgear. Three paths cover energy conversion, the history of knowledge and civilization, and the micro and macro worlds. Highlights are the original control room and the Foucault pendulum inside the cooling tower, which has had a viewing terrace on top since 2022.
• EC1 Planetarium (opened January 2016): a 14-meter spherical screen under an 18-meter dome, 8K projection and 110 seats. The program includes shows in English. National Geographic Traveler's Polish edition named it one of the "7 New Wonders of Poland" in 2016.
• National Film Culture Center: "Kino Polonia," the largest exhibition about Polish cinema, covering more than 120 years of film history. It fits Łódź well; the city is a UNESCO City of Film.
• Center for Comics and Interactive Narration (since October 2023): Polish comics and video game history.
• Elements Street (Ulica Żywiołów): a hands-on play space for children aged 3 to 10, about 1,500 square meters over three floors with water, earth, air, fire and life zones. Entry is by timed slot.

How much time do you need?

Plan 2.5 to 3 hours for the science center alone, which is how long EC1's own themed self-guided routes take. A planetarium show is shorter. With children, combine the science center and a planetarium show on one day. Timed attractions sell out during school holidays and on weekends, so book online.

Opening hours and tickets (as of October 2026)

• All exhibitions: Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; closed on Mondays. No separate winter schedule is announced.
• Planetarium, cinema and Elements Street run to a timetable.
• Closed November 1 and December 24–26; open until 2 p.m. on December 31. Elements Street has a maintenance break until October 12, 2026.

Prices are in Polish złoty (PLN):

• Science center: 32 PLN (reduced 24 PLN) Tuesday to Friday, 39 PLN (reduced 30 PLN) on weekends; under-3s free.
• Planetarium: from 25 PLN (reduced 19 PLN); special shows 35 PLN. Shows are not recommended for children under 5.
• Combined ticket EC1 + Orientarium Zoo Łódź: 92 PLN, valid 90 days.

Is it worth visiting?

The best time to come is a weekday afternoon, after school groups leave. Weekends cost more, and Polish winter school holidays bring crowds.

Absolutely worth it, especially for families and anyone interested in industrial heritage. Cafés on site are open to visitors without tickets. Afterwards, walk about 1 km to Piotrkowska Street, the city's main promenade, or visit the Film Museum at Księży Młyn with a combined "Kino Polonia" ticket.