The Old Cemetery at Ogrodowa Street

"But for the graves, there would be no history. Neither as art or science"

s the Old Cemetery at Ogrodowa Street worth so great interest, attention and care which we who decided to protect it from devastation and being forgotten give it?

The answer is simple - certainly yes. Yes, because this cemetery has been a magic place since its very beginning. It was the symbol of ecumenism - one of the most significant characteristics of Lodz's multicultural community. It was the forecast of integration and tolerance, which made Lodz truly exceptional. Apart from that, this cemetery is the pantheon of the creators of this city - buried here lie great factory owners, craftsmen, artists, doctors, soldiers, politicians, presidents and those most numerous, who because of their everyday work deserve indebted memory of the next generations.

The Old Cemetery in Lodz was founded in 1854 and in the 70s of XIX century it began to fill with splendid grave art examples. During the war, many of those pieces of art were completely destroyed, other got devastated. The lack of moeny in the city budget resulted in the fact that the cemetery needs great help. Priceless monuments of architecture and grave sculpture slowly deteriorate. The epitaphs on the gravestones disppear, turning the graves into annymous boxes.

It is the highest time to save what is still to save. We cannot agree to the slow death of our cultural legacy. In 1995, the Society of the Old Cemetery was founded. Every year a collection of money is organised within the cemetery's area. We would greatly appreciate any help frome people interested in this subject, regardless of age or beliefs.