For decades Lodz was regarded by many as nothing more than a boring city of factory chimneys. The unique architecture, scenic, natural and cultural values went largely unnoticed. Until quite recently. Today's tourists take great delight in seeing beautifully refurbished tenements and residential structures of great factory magnates - the real gems of Art Nouveau and eclecticism - as well as museum collections and unrivalled nineteenth-century industrial architecture. No trip to Lodz is complete without a stroll down Piotrkowska Street, the city's pride and joy. Public institutions, banks and stores, restaurants, pubs, discos, antique shops, art galleries an cinemas are centred around his main promenade. What is more, Lodz is an important economic, commercial, cultural, scientific, educational and health services centre that can boast both a long-standing tradition and recent achievements. Lodz is widely known for the word-famous events held here: the Ballet Meetings in Lodz, Camerimage - the International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography, Explorers Festival, Alexander Tansman International Competition of Musical Personalities and "Golden Thread" - the Contest for Fashion Designers, to mention just a few.