Palace of Science and Culture in Warsaw: history, photos, reviews

Looking through postcards, booklets and other souvenirs brought from Poland, you can see that everywhere there is an image of a majestic building with a spire pointed at the sky. This grandiose high-rise building is one of the ten highest buildings of the whole European Union. The Palace of Science and Culture in Warsaw was built in 1955 and to this day is a visiting card not only of the capital city, but of the whole country.

Gift of the Soviet Union to the friendly Polish people

The idea of building a high-rise in the center of Warsaw was of political significance and came personally from JV Stalin. Originally it was assumed that the Palace of Science and Culture will be built at a height of 120 meters. This project was approved by the Polish government, but then, at the insistence of the Soviet architect Lev Rudnev and his Warsaw colleague Joseph Sigalin, it was decided to increase the size of the building by almost half. As a result, the Palace of Science and Culture grew in height by 42 floors, which together with the spire was 237 meters.

Since the building was a gift to Poland from the USSR, the financing of the project, as well as the performance of construction work, was assumed by the Soviet side. In total, 3,200 people have been involved in construction sites since 1952. After the death of Stalin by decision of the State Council and the Council of Ministers of the Polish People's Republic, the Palace of Science and Culture was named after the Soviet leader. Considered the proposal to install a monument to Stalin on the square , even a contest was announced for the best sketch of the monument. But then they decided to give up this idea.

Combination of Socialist Realism and History

Preparations for the construction of high-rise buildings began in 1951. Soviet architects led by Lev Rudnev came to Poland and with a group of local colleagues visited several Polish cities and villages to study the styles of the historical architecture of the country. As a result, the project, based on which the Moscow State University was built, was taken as a basis. Lomonosov, but taking into account local specifics. It was decided that the Palace of Science and Culture should be "socialist in content, but national in form".

The building was built in the place where once untidy houses had crowded in disorder. The magnificent Palace became a symbol of a new era, a unique object of modern construction, designed to rid the capital of ugly forms of architecture. From the upper floors you can see impressive views of the city that has changed in recent years. The silhouette of the building emphasizes the beauty of the surroundings from old districts to multi-storey residential complexes, green parks and sports stadiums. The Palace of Science and Culture will become a symbol of socialist Poland. Approximately this content of the publication in local newspapers was timed to coincide with the opening of the structure in 1955.

Polish "colossus" in figures and facts

The Palace of Science and Culture in Warsaw, whose address has not changed over the last six decades, is located on Paradis Square, 1. This is the highest object not only in the capital, but throughout Poland. The building has 42 floors with a total area of 817 thousand m ² . The architecture of the building combines elements of social realism, art deco and Polish historicism.

On the 30th floor there is an observation deck with a panoramic view of Warsaw. Since 1956, from this site, located at an altitude of more than 100 meters, a number of suicides have been committed, after which metal fences in the form of protective grids were installed here.

In 1989, after the cooling of relations between the Soviet Union and Poland, a sculpture representing the friendship of the peoples was removed from the central lobby. In the 1990s, calls were voiced by some political figures in Poland to demolish the building as a symbol of "Soviet domination over a free country."

In 2000, on the facade of the upper floor, a huge watch dial was hoisted, which made the Palace the tallest clock tower in the world at the time.

In 2007 the building was entered in the State Register of Architectural Monuments of Poland.

Structure and purpose of the building

Today, the Palace of Science and Culture in Warsaw, whose photo you see in this publication, is managed by the City Hall. The building houses various companies and institutions, including the Polish Academy of Sciences.

The extensive interiors of the palace accommodate several scenic sites, museums, bookstores, offices and business centers. Cinemas, libraries, a swimming pool, a post office work for citizens and guests of the capital.

There is also a concert hall for 550 spectators and a congress hall for 2880 seats. Every year, the Palace hosts conferences, meetings, exhibitions, forums and festivals, both national and international.

Disputes about the feasibility of the existence of a structure

Despite the fact that the Palace of Science and Culture has long become a symbol of Poland and performs many useful functions, from time to time in political circles there is a polemic concerning the ethical underpinnings of the presence of the structure of the Soviet era on Polish soil. Opinions on this issue differ sharply, someone believes that today the Palace has no political significance, others insist on demolishing the building, others suggest turning it into a museum.

It is hoped that common sense will prevail, and political turmoil will not be the reason for the destruction of the magnificent monument of architecture, which is the House of Science and Culture in Warsaw. The comments of ordinary people who have visited this building never touch ideological aspects. Both local residents and numerous tourists admire the scale of the structure, the consistency and uniqueness of the architectural style.

Sights in the vicinity of the palace

The guests of the Polish capital are primarily attracted by the construction itself, from the viewing platforms of which you can see the whole city at any time of the day. A short walk from the square is the recreation and entertainment center.

Nearby is the shopping center "Golden Terrace" - the largest shopping mall in Warsaw. Are there hotels and hotels nearby? From the windows of the most comfortable rooms you can see the sparkling towers of the Palace of Science and Culture.