"Underground Cathedral" of Lodz - the most beautiful sewer system in Europe

Each ancient city has unique attractions that you will not see anywhere else. There are many such places in Polish Lodz, but the city sewerage system stands out among them. This is a grandiose underground engineering system that has been performing its functions for more than a century, and also attracts researchers, engineers and... connoisseurs of live music.

The sewer system in the historical center of Lodz is officially recognized as the most beautiful in Europe. In its tunnels and halls you can meet lovers of architectural and historical monuments, architects, historians, as well as musicians and their listeners. Yes, there is sometimes live music in the sewers of this city, because the underground structure has excellent acoustics and sometimes serves as a concert hall.

The city of Lodz, located in central Poland, was founded in 1423. Like many other cities that appeared in the Middle Ages, it had a problem with sewage disposal. Numerous attempts to solve it were made many times, but did not give the expected result. The city center suffered from stench and constant flooding.

This continued until the very beginning of the 20th century, until the English engineer William Lindley got down to business. For 8 whole years, from 1901 to 1909, he developed a sewer system project that had no analogues. Lindley had solid experience - it was he who created the sewer system in Samara, the most beautiful in Russia.

The construction of the sewerage and water supply systems took many years. William Lindley himself did not see his brainchild in action. The engineer died, and his talented student Stefan Skrzywan completed the project in his place. It was a grandiose construction project in all respects. An unprecedented amount of 5 million zlotys was allocated for it. At the 1924 exchange rate it was $1 million.

No other such object in Europe can still be compared with the creation of William Lindley. Lodz sewer tunnels stretch for 105 km. Connected to them are water reservoirs located at the highest point of the city, at 260 meters above sea level. These containers have walls and arched vaults made of brick made using a special technology. They are able to withstand pressure of 100 thousand cubic meters of water.

100 brick domes in 4 grandiose tanks are supported by 81 columns. It is not surprising that the residents of Lodz nicknamed this structure the “Underground Cathedral”. Rumors about an underground facility of incredible scale and amazing beauty spread throughout Poland, and then throughout Europe immediately after the launch of the system. They are still interested in sewerage today. Although there are many interesting places in the city, many people want to see Lindley’s creation.

Visiting the “Underground Cathedral” is not easy. The fact is that the system is working properly as intended even now. Twice a year one of the tanks is drained to check its technical condition and clean it. Therefore, visiting this marvel of engineering requires careful planning.

When the reservoir is drained, a real invasion of journalists, scientists and musicians begins. Not everyone can obtain permission to visit an object considered strategic. City authorities limit the number of guests in underground halls. But if you're lucky, you can get permission for photography and videography, research and chamber music concerts.

Although the underground communications of Lodz are the most beautiful, in scale they are far behind the Odessa dungeons, which stretch for 3 thousand kilometers.