Standing tall in the center of Warsaw, the Palace of Culture and Science (Palac Kultury i Nauki) has watched over the capital city through thick and thin. An exciting viewpoint, considering all that has changed in Poland during the last 50 years!
Ask a native what they think about the structure, and you will get mixed responses. However, a common theme is heard – Stalin. The building was built as a gift for Poland from the neighboring Soviets and their “Father Stalin”. Architect L. W. Rudniew was commissioned to design the project. He traveled to other cities in Poland to get a feel for the style of Polish architecture, but there is much debate whether it really represents Poland or rather Poland’s occupation. Regardless of its controversial beginnings, the Palace of Culture and Science impresses even the most skeptical observers.
At 230 meters, it is the tallest building in Poland, allowing for a breath-taking view of Warsaw from the 30th story observation deck. In 1956, the first suicidal jump by a Frenchman was followed by a handful of others before security grating was installed. On the eve of the 2001 New Year, the clock on the tower was unveiled, the largest in Europe, spanning 6 meters in diameter, and the highest hanging clock on any tower in the world.
Happy 50th Birthday old boy, and may you observe 100 more years of Polish progress! As the Poles say - Sto Lat!
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