Palace of Culture and Science, Central Poland, Poland

5dnaleciz 5:00 PM May 17, 2022

A controversially building in a modern world
The Palace of Culture and Science (Palac Kutury i Nauki or Kin) is a high-rise building located in downtown Warsaw, Poland. This 42-floor building Socialist realism and art deco building was a gift from the Soviet Union to Poland. This building is 778 feet tall, topped with a needle of 141.08 feet. It is the second tallest building in Poland and considered a showpiece of Poland and can be observed from most areas of Warsaw. The 3882 rooms in this building houses public and cultural institutions, a multiplex cinema with eight screen, four theatres, libraries, university faculties and sport clubs. One can find two museums (Museum of Technology and Museum of Evolution), offices, bookshops, a swimming pool and a three thousand seat auditorium. Located on the 11th and 12th floor is the Collegium Civitas, an accredited university. The Polish Academy of Sciences also has its headquarters located in this facility. Four 21-foot clocks decorated the top of the building. Located on the 12th floor is an observation deck with 360’ view of Warsaw and the surrounding area. Cost to visit the observation deck is approximately $5.00 US or 40 Ztote. Be aware the elevator to the observation deck is extremely slow and the lines are exceptionally long. Waited an hour for elevator trip to the deck. The view is well worth the wait. Over the years, this building has been modernized and in 2010 LED lights were added which allows the Palace to be lite up at night. Currently the Palace is light up every evening in blue and yellow, the national colors of the Ukrainian flag. A remarkable display of Polish solidarity with its neighbor Ukraine. Over the years this building has become a problem for the Polish government as it is a symbol of Soviet influence. Calls for it is demolishment are a daily occurrence. At present the building remains. This is a fascinating building and should be visited.

3CoeliacAdventurer 5:00 PM Oct 20, 2022

Views of the commercial area
Paid our fee and waited in line to go up to the observation deck/viewing terrace on the 30th floor, accessible only by lift. One lift wasn't working so a bit of a queue but not long to wait. The terrace is covered and enclosed, with metal bars on all the openings, so very safe and fine to go even in bad weather. The openings gave views across the more modern, commercial areas of warsaw, so it's all skyscrapers and glass confections with a few gardens and lots of busy streets. Fine if you like that kind of thing but in my opinion the viewing platform in the old town is better. Multiple cafes in the Palace, both up at the viewing terrace and on the ground floor. Several museums too, but ran out of time to visit. Despite there being several entrances to the building, only one gives access to the tower, so get it right first time or be prepared to walk around the entire building.