Palace of Culture and Science, Soviet-era cultural complex in central Warsaw, Poland
The Palace of Culture and Science is a skyscraper in central Warsaw, Poland, rising 42 floors with facades decorated in the socialist realist style using sandstone. The structure reaches 230 meters in height and contains theaters, museums, and event spaces distributed across multiple levels.
Russian architect Lev Rudnev designed the building in the early 1950s as a gift from the Soviet Union to Poland. Construction started in May 1952 and finished in July 1955, involving thousands of workers throughout the project.
The name reflects the dual purpose of housing both artistic performances and scientific gatherings under one roof. Locals attend concerts, film screenings, and exhibitions here throughout the year, treating it as a natural meeting point in the city center.
The observation deck on the 30th floor opens daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, offering views across the city from 114 meters (374 feet) above ground. Multiple entrances lead into the building, with elevators serving different floors and event spaces throughout.
The building houses over 3,000 rooms, making it one of the largest complexes of its kind in Europe. At its summit sits a clock with four dials measuring six meters each, the second largest tower timepiece on the continent.
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