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The marks of four decades of communism have yet to be completely erased from the face of Warsaw. Of these the most apparent is the Palace of Culture and Science, standing in the heart of the city. You couldnt miss this one if you tried. Soaring 231 metres into the sky the building remains the tallest in Poland, in spite of recent competition from its highrise neighbours.
Originally commissioned by Stalin as a gift from the Soviet people. Over 5,000 workers were ferried in from the Soviet states. Working around the clock, it took them just three years to complete the Palace.
Built using an estimated 40 million bricks and housing 3,288 rooms the Palaces purpose was to serve as not just party headquarters but also the peoples castle, with invitations to the annual New Years Eve Ball issued to the best workers in socialist Poland. Regardless of this the building became an object of hatred and a stain on the skyline, the palace was seen as no more than a symbol of Russian hegemony. Viewed from a distance apparently it can be spotted from 30km away the palace appears a faceless monolith. Viewed closely several intricate details appear in focus.
With the fall of communism the idea of dynamiting the palace was floated, though today it stands acknowledged as a protected building with the President of Warsaw listed in documentation as the official owner.
The viewing platform on the 30th floor is visited by approximately 1,500 people daily, and offers panoramic views of the city spinning below you.
For more on the key monuments in Warsaw go to Warsaw In Your Pocket [ Ссылка ]
