Next to the mermaid motif, the Palace of Culture and Science is the best-recognized symbol of Warsaw. It is the tallest building in Poland (230 m [757 ft], 42 storeys), and the best-known work of the socialist realism. A visit to the observation deck on the 30th floor with a panoramic view of the capital is simply an unmissable element of any trip to Warsaw.
The Palace of Culture and Science, situated in the very heart of the city, is a gift for Warsaw from Soviet comrades. In was built between 1952 and 1955, during the Stalinist era.
Its walls are decorated with monumental statues, and the interior shows hundreds of crystal chandeliers. In total, this impressive building has 3288 rooms, including the “Kongresowa” Hall – Poland’s largest conference and entertainment arena with 3000 seats, and a sports centre – the so-called Youth Palace (Pałac Młodzieży), with gyms and a swimming pool. The Palace is a home of a number of many cultural and scientific institutions, cinemas, theatres (Dramatyczny and Studio), museums (Museum of Technology [Muzeum Techniki]) or enterprises. It hosts many fair events. The best-known of these include the International Book Fair and the International Travel Show.
On the New Year’s Eve 2000, Europe’s second-largest clock was activated at the top of the Palace. Its four faces have the diameter of 6 m (20 ft) each. At the same time, it is the world’s tallest tower clock.
The Palace of Culture and Science is a building you cannot really miss. It is visible from almost every place in the city.
Warsaw, Mazowieckie Province
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