Palace of Culture and Science

Warsaw, Poland

The Palace of Culture and Science is the tallest building in Poland and the eighth tallest building in the European Union. It is 231 metres tall, which includes a 43-metre high spire.

The building was originally known as the Joseph Stalin Palace of Culture and Science, but in the wake of destalinization the dedication to Stalin was revoked. The building was conceived as a 'gift from the Soviet people to the Polish nation', and was completed in 1955. The structure was built in three years according to the design of the Soviet architect Lev Rudnev. Architecturally, it is a mix of Stalinist architecture, also known as Socialist Classicism, and Polish historicism inspired by American art deco skyscrapers. Currently it is the headquarters of many companies and public institutions, such as cinemas, theaters, libraries, sports clubs, universities, scientific institutions and authorities of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

The tower was constructed, using Soviet plans, almost entirely by 3500 workers from the Soviet Union, of whom 16 died in accidents during the construction.

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Address

plac Defilad 1, Warsaw, Poland
See all sites in Warsaw

Details

Founded: 1952-1955
Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Poland

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Αλέξανδρος Αλεξ (5 months ago)
If you can spare a couple of hours on your vacation you may go and see some stuff. But if your scheduled is full, it doesn't worth it. There are a lot better museums to go to. Besides the museum that closes at 18:00, you can go with the elevator up on the 30th floor and the view from there is magnificent specially at night. That's a must do in Warsaw. For the musem there was no queue but for the view point there is. Tickets are bought from the tower.
Everywhere With Erika (6 months ago)
It’s truly a beautiful place in the day and at night. Viewing Warsaw skyline from the observation deck is a must. It’s on the 30th floor. You get a 360 view of city. Just know it stays packed with people. Make sure you walk around the building to see the giant statues.
Nikola U (6 months ago)
It was my first time going to the observing deck of the palace on the 30th floor, and it was amazing! Watching the panorama of Warsaw was a great experience. The queue to get there can be long sometimes, that is why I would recommend booking tickets in advance. It can get a little cold when you're on the 30th floor as I went during Autumn time in October. Overall, I would definitely recommend coming here as it is a stunning viewpoint of the city of Warsaw.
Andrew Zalatar (6 months ago)
The Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw is a stunning example of Soviet-era monumental architecture. Built with grandeur and the intention to impress, it stands as a symbol of power and ambition. However, its current state feels as if it has been passed down to distant relatives from the countryside – left with a grand apartment from a professor and now trying to make the most of it, but only on their own level. The once majestic hall with its grand chandeliers and marble ceilings now hosts events like a “Japanese Culture Festival” – but looking at the pictures, only about 5% of it feels genuinely Japanese, mostly limited to Japanese alcohol and some “Japanese” toys made in China. It’s sad to see such an impressive space being used in this way, but the place is still filled with visitors, all eating and enjoying themselves. This is the culture now, and unfortunately, the palace reflects that. P.S. A tip for those wanting to visit the observation deck: the line for online tickets is always much shorter. You can simply buy your ticket on your phone while waiting. Enjoy!
Tadeusz Godlewski (6 months ago)
I’ve been coming to the observation deck of the palace for 3 or 4 years now. It never fails to amaze me, the Warsaw skyline from the view of the palace is stunning. Every year I see a new skyscraper added to the skyline. The queue can be long sometimes, especially around sunset. It’s always a good idea to come at least 1 hour before the sun sets on the horizon to have enough time to appreciate it. I also reccomend to buy tickets online to save even more time. There’s also tons of other facilities in the building such as a university, a club, bar, theatre, museum, and much more. My university once had a fancy dance and ball here in one of the venues you can rent out. This is a multi function facility. Come check it out!
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