Oddział Martyrologii Radogoszcz

About the museum

During the Second World War the building of the former factory of Samuel Abbe served as the men's Extended Police Prison (Rozszerzone Więzienie Policyjne) for inhabitants of the Warthegau (Kraj Warty) who violated German occupation law. The prison operated as a transit detention centre, from which those held were sent to prisons and concentration camps. On the night of 17 to 18 January 1945, just before the entry of the Red Army, the Germans set fire to the main building and placed a machine gun in front of its only exit. About 1500 people died, and only 30 were saved.

The site was recognised as a monument of national memory. Construction of the mausoleum began in 1959 and it was unveiled on 9 September 1961. It includes, among other things, a thirty-metre spire designed by Tadeusz Łodziana, a sarcophagus in the preserved ruins of the burnt building, and bas-reliefs and metalwork along the former prison walls. The sculptures are by Roman Modzelewski.

The exhibition on the history of the place was opened in 1976 in the single-storey hall of the former factory. At present the branch presents the permanent exhibition “Zabrał ich ogień…” (The Fire Took Them) about the history of the prison against the background of the fates of the inhabitants of the Warthegau during the war. Visitors can also see a model of the prison. In front of the building stands a tactile model with descriptions in Braille in Polish and English.

Key themes

• Mausoleum with a spire and a sarcophagus in the ruins of the burnt prison building
• Permanent exhibition “Zabrał ich ogień…” (The Fire Took Them)
• Model of the Radogoszcz prison
• Audio guide with audio description
• Tactile model with descriptions in Braille

Permanent exhibitions

• Zabrał ich ogień… – Permanent exhibition on the history of the Radogoszcz prison against the background of the fates of the population of the Warthegau during the Second World War, with a model of the prison.
• Mauzoleum Męczeństwa na Radogoszczu – Monument with a spire and a sarcophagus among the preserved ruins of the burnt prison building, unveiled in 1961.

Founded

1976

Operated by

Muzeum Tradycji Niepodległościowych w Łodzi

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission every Wednesday.

The price list applies from 19 September 2025.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: not available
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

A concrete pavement 1.20 m wide and a wide entrance lead to the building. Inside, the exhibition rooms and toilets are accessible to wheelchair users, and a stairlift has been installed in the open stairwell (a remnant of the burnt building). In front of the building stands a model for blind people with descriptions in Braille in Polish and English. An audio guide with audio description is available. The car park by the fence of the site has no designated space for people with disabilities.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

• Family tours & workshops

The site commemorates the victims of the Second World War; educational classes and lectures adapted to age are prepared for children and young people.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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