Palace of Culture and Science

One of Warsaw's tallest and most recognizable structures can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. What caused it to appear? It opened in 1955 as a "gift of the Soviet people to the Poles" at the initiative of Joseph Stalin. For a long time, it was considered a symbol of socialist power and the pride of People's Poland; it was where conventions of the Polish United Workers' Party were held. Its monumental interiors have hosted numerous concerts, exhibitions, fairs, and shows since its inception.

The palace now houses theaters, a cinema, museums, trendy pubs, and the main tourist information office in Warsaw. Go to the observation deck on the 30th floor of the building to see the beautiful cityscape from 114 meters above the ground. Take a look at the socialist realist sculptures in the palace's facade niches. Each represents a different field of science, art, technology, or culture, such as a young man holding a book of classical literature, a Komsomol member, an archer, or a woman from Central Asia. A stone honor tribune can be found directly across from the main entrance, where the first secretaries of the Central Committee of the Polish Communist Party greeted those marching in the May Day parade.

During the summer, the area around the palace transforms into an arena for a variety of concerts, theater performances, and film screenings. Because of the free ice skating rink, it is a great place for skating enthusiasts in the winter. The structure is beautifully lit at night, and additional decorations illuminate special occasions.

Google rating: 4.6/5
Address: plac Defilad 1, 00-901 Warszawa, Poland
Phone: +48 22 656 76 00
Website: http://www.pkin.pl/