ŁOMŻA - A Reflection of Polish History

In the 16th century, Łomża, which lies on the shore of the Narew River, was the third largest city - behind Warsaw and Płock - in the Mazovia region.  Its importance was the result of its location at the intersection of two important trade routes that cut  through Europe at the time.  Today, the city is still an important junction for international road transportation.  Through it runs the shortest route from central Poland to the Baltic States and Finland.
 Its location caused the history of Łomża, marked by significant periods of economic development as well as destruction during wars, to reflect the history of Poland.  After World War II, three-fourths of the city lay in ruins, and the number of inhabitants was reduced by 60%.  Visible growth was not noted until the 1970's and 1980's, when large cotton, furniture, and food-processing plants were built here.  Economic transformation in the 1990's, however, resulted in the collapse of the local industry, which was not able to adapt to market conditions.  Gaps appeared in the labor market, as sweeping closures

among the economic institutions in Łomża and the surrounding province, could not be filled by the dynamic growth in the number of private enterprises, of which that vast majority were small family businesses.
Its high level of unemployment was the town's main problem, but paradoxically, also one of its strengths.  The majority of the unemployed were skilled laborers with a high school education.  These rather high qualifications were the result of the fact that Łomża, with three schools (with over 2000 students) and eight post-secondary school complexes (with nearly 10,000 students), is a regional educational center.
The city authorities have been investing in the municipal infrastructure for the past several years, which has led to the creation of new jobs.  Two years ago, the construction of a new gas network was completed and the city heating plant was modernized.  This year, a modern wastewater treatment plant that offers significant surplus capacity will be put into operation. In addition to a complete technical infrastructure, the local government also offers investors abatements in local taxes for the duration of their investment or for three years after its completion.
An environmental attribute of Łomża is its location in the cleanest region of Poland, the "Green Lungs of Poland."  The Narew Valley Landscape Park, the Polish Amazon, with unique flora and fauna, opens up at the city's gates.  A mere step divides the Narew National
Park, in which the waters of the river run more slowly than anywhere else on the continent, branching out into several parallel currents

Until recently, this natural beauty delighted primarily scientists who were there to discover species of fauna that had died out elsewhere.  Currently, more and more often tourists can be found along the meandering Biebrza and Narew, seeking relaxation by getting in touch with nature, and who find other attractions in the Łomża region.  Among these are a picturesque outdoor museum, the Kurpiowski Skansen in Nowogród, a complex of defensive fortifications from the beginning of the 20th century in Piątnica, and the charming park and palace of the Lutosławski family in Drozdowo.
The beginnings of the Łomża reach back to the 9th century, when a settlement and castle defending the eastern lands of the Mazowsze region was located there, but the city did not receive a town charter until June 15, 1418 from the Mazovia prince Janusz I. Due to time and war, the city's centuries-long history has left few permanent monuments. One can find more in the archives and museums than on the city's streets.  What remains is its tradition as an educational (the first secondary school was founded in 1612) and cultural center.  This is continued today by among others, the "Łagów" Scientific Society of Łomża, the Łomża Chamber Orchestra, which has played concerts in Poland and abroad, as well as the Theater of the Puppet and Actor.  Events such as the Drozdowo- Łomża

 Music Festival held in July also add festivity, with leading soloists from the Polish opera, and the International Case Theater Festival, with groups from beyond Europe taking part.
The potential of the town, as outlined in the development strategy of the Podlaskie province, offers chances for Łomża to grow as a center in terms of its national importance.  This has been confirmed by the local government's strategists who have placed the Łomża Development Zone at the NUTS 3 level of regional statistics.