The historic premises of the Emilia Sczaniecka Secondary School No. 4 in Łódź, located at 16 Pomorska Street, will soon undergo a thorough renovation of the façade and fence. The building, originally designed for a bank, has been a symbol of the city’s education and history for over a century. The renovation will restore it to its former glory, making it even more beautiful and functional. The renovation work on IV LO is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
For years, the IV LO has been distinguished not only by its excellent standard of teaching, but also by its magnificent Neo-Renaissance edifice, which catches the eye with its Ionic-style columns, rustication and striking windows. The school began its activities in 1903, when it moved to its present premises from 64 Cegielniana Street (today 28 Jaracza Street). It had previously operated as the “Female Russian Government Gymnasium”. The Neo-Renaissance building was designed by the Lodz architect Franciszek Chełmiński. After regaining independence, in 1920 the Ministry of Religious Denominations and Public Enlightenment granted the school the status of the first State Female Gymnasium in Łódź.
Soon afterwards, it was given the name of Emilia Sczaniecka, which was celebrated with a ceremony attended by Marshal Piłsudski. During the Second World War, the school was closed and the building was used as a “Soldatenheim” – a rest home for German soldiers. After the war, in February 1945, the gymnasium resumed its activities, and in 1959 it was converted into a co-educational school. In the 1980s, modernisation was carried out, which equipped the school with modern audiovisual equipment. Since 2007, IV LO has been implementing the IB International Baccalaureate programme.
The renovation of the school will be carried out under the ‘design and build’ formula. Design work is currently underway, and construction work is due to start in June. The planned modernisation will include the comprehensive renovation of the front elevation, the restoration of the gate clearances and their gates, the conservation and restoration of the window and door woodwork, and the repair of the fence on the south and west sides according to the historical pattern. As the school’s headmistress, Katarzyna Felde, emphasises, the investment fits in perfectly with the revitalisation of Łódź’s city centre, restoring the lustre of one of the city’s most important educational institutions. The renovation works are to be completed by the end of 2025, but the contractor declares that it is possible to finish them as early as October. The cost of the modernisation is approximately PLN 2 million.
Source: lodz.pl
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