The Palace of Culture and Science (Palac Kultury i Nauki, in Polish) is a gigantic, Soviet-style, 30-storey cultural centre whose silhouette dominates Warsaw’s city centre. It is the country’s tallest building — and its most controversial.
The entrance to the Palace is decorated with the statues of Copernicus and Mickiewicz, and its detractors say that the building’s caretaker is the happiest man in Warsaw, because he is the only person who doesn’t see it when he opens his windows.
However, while the Palace of Culture and Science may not be popular with all of Warsaw’s citizens, it has become a great tourist attraction, and almost every visitor to the city wants to go up in the lift to the 30th floor to enjoy the panoramic views from the palace’s terrace. Visitors can also enjoy a coffee at 114 metres above ground.
The history of the Palace of Culture and Science
The origins of the Palace of Culture and Science date back to 1950, when Stalin wanted to build a monument to the glory of socialism in Warsaw, one that would compete with the grandiosity of the tallest buildings in the United States, such as New York’s Empire State Building. We need to remember that this was back in the times of the so-called Cold War.
So, between 1952 and 1955, in record time, over 3,000 people built this concrete behemoth, which is a replica of Moscow’s Lomonosov University. At first, the building was named after Joseph Stalin, and was surrounded by the so-called ‘communist saints’: miners, working women, soldiers, militiamen, archers — and (although nobody quite knows why) the figure of Hans Christian Andersen.
Opposite the main entrance is a stone platform from which the Central Committee of the Polish United Workers’ Party saluted those attending the 1st of May marches. Meetings of the Party also took place inside the building.
Museums, exhibitions, theatres…
Warsaw’s Palace of Culture has over 3,000 rooms. In addition to offices, it houses two theatres, three cinemas, a conference hall, a swimming pool, several museums, a tourist office, and a wide range of public institutions. The building only has two cellars, but for a long time a legend circulated in the city that underneath the building were subterranean towers several storeys high, as well as secret galleries that stretched right across the city.
Concerts, plays and film screenings are held around the Palace in summer. And in winter, a skating rink is set up. At night, the Palace is illuminated, and becomes almost like a lighthouse in the city centre.
Information for visitors
Located at no 1, Plac Defilad (between Marszalkowska and Swietokrzyska Streets), the Palace of Culture and Science is open to the public every day from 9.00 a.m. until 6.00 p.m., although opening hours are extended in summer. The price for general admission varies from 30 to 60 PLN. Guided visits are available Monday – Saturday, but must be booked in advance, and on floor 30 there is a viewing point which affords a good view of the city from 114 metres above ground, although the total height of the building is 237 metres.
Where to stay in Warsaw
If you’re looking for a comfortable stay enjoying Warsaw’s heritage and unique character, we can heartily recommend the Barceló Warsaw Powisle Hotel, located in the heart of the vibrant Powisle district. This is a unique establishment, housed in a former electricity power station, which gives it an industrial vibe and a great deal of character, so that guests enjoy a unique, personal experience.
The hotel has 151 rooms offering every kind of comfort and convenience. The rooms are thoughtfully designed and decorated with elements from the old power station: large-scale pipework, control units and industrial elegance. That is how new and old blend harmoniously in this remarkable hotel. The hotel also has a main restaurant with a wide range of cuisine, as well as a lobby bar and a sky bar with an outdoor swimming pool, depending on the season. And for those who like to keep in shape, there is a fully equipped gymnasium. This, in a nutshell, is a flagship of design and gastronomy. It is certain to provide an unforgettable experience.
