Centrum Nauki i Techniki EC1 w Łodzi

About the museum

The Centrum Nauki i Techniki EC1 opened on 7 January 2018 in the western part of the EC1 Łódź – Miasto Kultury (City of Culture) complex. The complex was created in the revitalised buildings of Łódź's first power station, which began operating in 1907; the new main building was added in 1929. In the 1960s the plant was renamed Heat and Power Plant No. 1 (Elektrociepłownia nr 1), from which the name EC1 derives, and it supplied the city with heat and electricity until 2000. Revitalisation began in 2010.

The centre has kept some of the power station's former installations and equipment and combines them with modern forms of presentation. In the exhibition “Energy Processing” (Przetwarzanie energii) visitors learn about fuels, enter inside a boiler and try to generate electricity themselves. The exhibition “Development of Knowledge and Civilisation” (Rozwój wiedzy i cywilizacji) is based on real scientific experiments, while “Microworld – Macroworld” (Mikroświat – Makroświat) shows the world from the scale of atoms to cosmic structures; part of it is a spherical cinema in a silver sphere. The exhibition “Climate at a Turning Point” (Klimat na zakręcie) presents climate change and leaves visitors with a sense of influence over the future.

Within the EC1 complex there are also separately ticketed attractions: the Planetarium, Ulica Żywiołów (Street of the Elements) for the youngest children, the Centre of Comics and Interactive Narration (Centrum Komiksu i Narracji Interaktywnej) and the National Centre of Film Culture (Narodowe Centrum Kultury Filmowej). The Centre of Science and Technology also runs a VR zone, workshops, laboratories and an offer for schools.

Highlights

• Exhibition “Energy Processing” in the historic power station, with access inside a boiler
• Exhibition “Development of Knowledge and Civilisation” with real experiments
• “Microworld – Macroworld” and a spherical cinema in a silver sphere
• Exhibition “Climate at a Turning Point”
• VR zone, workshops and laboratories

Permanent exhibitions

• Przetwarzanie energii – Exhibition in the historic coal-fired power station on fuels, boilers, turbines and transformers, where visitors can generate electricity themselves.
• Rozwój wiedzy i cywilizacji – Interactive exhibition on discoveries and inventions, where visitors carry out scientific experiments themselves.
• Mikroświat – Makroświat – Exhibition showing the world from the scale of atoms to cosmic structures, with a spherical cinema in a silver sphere.

Founded

2018

Operated by

EC1 Łódź – Miasto Kultury w Łodzi

Admission & discounts

The prices given are for Tuesday to Friday; on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays higher prices apply (standard ticket PLN 39, reduced PLN 30). The Planetarium, Ulica Żywiołów, the Centre of Comics and Interactive Narration and the National Centre of Film Culture have separate tickets. Combined tickets are also available, among others with the Orientarium ZOO Łódź and with Mandoria.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The entrances to the buildings are step-free, and the entrance doors to the Science Centre and the Planetarium are heavy, non-revolving doors that do not open automatically. An extensive lift system, wide corridors and doorways at least 90 cm wide give access to all attractions, and the toilets are adapted for people with disabilities. Two free wheelchairs for adults are available at the ticket office of the Centre of Science and Technology. Parking spaces for people with disabilities are at least 5 m from the buildings; after prior contact (+48 510 013 387) it is possible to drive onto the square near the entrance. In the entrance area there is a tactile map of the building; the exhibitions have Braille desks and a narrated description in the mobile app, and the lifts have Braille buttons and voice announcements. Assistance dogs may enter the building. The Centre of Science and Technology has no induction loops (they are at the ticket offices of the Planetarium and the NCKF); a sign language interpreter is available by prior arrangement. Rooms for calming down are provided for people on the autism spectrum.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

The exhibitions are based on interactive experiences; there is a booklet “Family with Energy” (Rodzina z energią), workshops and laboratories, and for the youngest children the Ulica Żywiołów, with a separate ticket, is in the complex. The centre also organises birthday adventures.

Getting there & parking

The entrance to the Centre of Science and Technology is from ul. Wojciecha Hasa; the complex lies between the streets Targowa, Tuwima, Sass-Zdort and Hasa.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

Bistro “Dobra Energia” (Good Energy) in the Centre of Science and Technology (2nd floor, for ticket holders of the CNiT); the complex also has the cafés “Coffee on Board” and “Przypadek” (Chance), available without an attraction ticket.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

EC1 rents out conference rooms (conferencje@ec1lodz.pl, +48 42 600 61 73).

Plan your visit