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

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:48

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 soaring to the heavenly heights. This grandiose high-rise building is one of the ten tallest buildings in the entire European Union. The Palace of Science and Culture in Warsaw was built in 1955 and to this day is the hallmark of not only the capital city, but the whole country.

Gift from the Soviet Union to the friendly Polish people

The idea of building a skyscraper in the center of Warsaw had political significance and came personally from JV Stalin. Initially, it was assumed that the Palace of Science and Culture would be erected 120 meters high. 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 increasealmost double the size of the building. As a result, the Palace of Science and Culture grew in height by 42 floors, which together with the spire amounted to 237 meters.

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

Combination of social realism and history

Preparation for the construction of a high-rise building began in 1951. Soviet architects led by Lev Rudnev came to Poland and, with a group of local colleagues, visited several Polish towns and villages to study the country's historic architecture styles. As a result, the project was taken as the basis for the construction of the Moscow State University. 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 unkempt houses once crowded in disorder. The magnificent Palace has become 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 openimpressive views of the city that has changed in recent years. The silhouette of the building emphasizes the beauty of the surroundings from the old districts to high-rise residential complexes, green parks and sports stadiums. The Palace of Science and Culture will become a symbol of socialist Poland. Approximately this content was published in local newspapers to coincide with the opening of the building in 1955.

Polish "colossus" in facts and figures

The Palace of Science and Culture in Warsaw, whose address has not changed over the past six decades, is located on Paradov Square, 1. This is the tallest building not only in the capital, but throughout Poland. The building has 42 floors with a total area of 817 thousand m2. The architecture of the building combines elements of social realism, art deco and Polish historicism.

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

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

In 2000, a huge clock face was erected on the facade of the top floor, whichmade the Palace the tallest clock tower in the world at the time.

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

Structure and purpose of the building

Today, the Palace of Science and Culture in Warsaw, the photo of which you see in this publication, is run by the city hall. The building houses various companies and institutions, including the Polish Academy of Sciences.

The palace's expansive interiors house several stage venues, museums, bookstores, offices and business centers. Cinemas, libraries, a swimming pool, a post office are at the service of citizens and guests of the capital.

There is also a concert hall for 550 spectators and a congress hall for 2880 seats. Every year, conferences, meetings, exhibitions, forums and festivals of both national and international level are held within the walls of the Palace.

Disputes about the expediency of the structure's existence

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 a controversy arises in political circles regarding the ethical background of the presence of a Soviet-era structure on Polish soil. Opinions on this issue differ sharply, someone believes that today the Palace has no political significance, others insist on the demolition of the building, and others propose to turn it into a museum.

Let's hope 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 reviews of ordinary people who have visited this building never touch on ideological aspects. Both local residents and numerous tourists admire the scale of the building, the consistency and originality of the architectural style.

Sights around the palace

Guests of the Polish capital are primarily attracted by the building itself, from the observation decks of which you can see the whole city at any time of the day. A recreation and entertainment center is located within walking distance from the square.

Nearby is the shopping center "Golden Terraces" - the largest shopping center in Warsaw. Nearby there are hotels and hostels. From the windows of the most comfortable rooms you can see the sparkling towers of the Palace of Science and Culture.