The Palace of Science and Culture
Warsaw’s Communist Eyesore or Great Polish Tourist Attraction?
Sightseers in Warsaw won't be able to miss the Palace of Science and Culture, the tallest building in Poland and a gift from the Soviet Union.
Any traveler to Warsaw will, at some stage, stumble across the enormous Palace of Science and Culture. Its 234 meter tower can be seen from many parts of the Polish capital and while most consider it an eyesore, it’s worth visiting, at the very least because once you’re inside, you can’t see it anymore!
The History of the Palace of Science and Culture
The so-called palace was built in the 1950s as a “gift of friendship” from the Soviet Union to Poland. Its Polish name is Palac Kultury i Nauki, and you might see the abbreviation on maps or directions as PKiN. Upon its completion in 1955, it was in fact named the Joseph Stalin Palace of Culture and Science, but when this became inappropriate the Stalin was dropped.
The workers who built the Palace were virtually all brought in from the Soviet Union especially for the duration of the construction, and this helped add to the Polish dislike of the building. That didn’t stop them, however, from attending a Rolling Stones concert held there in 1967, which was the first Western rock concert to be held behind the Iron Curtain. After the collapse of communism, four clock faces were added to each side of the tower and other skyscrapers of almost the same height have been built, so the Palace fits into Warsaw a little better now, both psychologically and aesthetically.
Inside the Palace of Science and Culture Today
The enormous building includes a large congress hall, a museum of evolution, a museum of technology, three theaters and a cinema, as well as an observation terrace on the 30th floor. The rest of the building is taken up with office space.
The observation deck is usually open from 9.00am to 6.00pm, although during summer the hours are often extended until almost midnight, so you can also get night views over Warsaw. The admission fee is not high at 20 Zloty, and as well as a fast elevator ride, you’ll be able to access the Gothic Hall on the 30th floor, look through the interior gallery and get out onto the observation deck. Be aware that you’ll probably need a jacket even in summer, because once you’re up that high, staring down over Warsaw, a cold wind will usually be blowing.
You can find the Palace of Science and Culture at Plac Defilad 1 in Warsaw. Check the official Palace of Science and Culture website for up to date opening times and information on theater performances and current exhibitions and fairs.
