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The Palace of Culture and Science, a representative example of rather monstrous Soviet architecture, towers above the city and can be seen practically from any place (it is visible from a distance of 30 km). Up to 1970 the Palace had been the highest architectural construction in Europe, nowadays it remains Poland's largest and tallest (234 meters) building. On the 30th floor, there is well-known observation gallery. There is a joke that the best view of the city opens from the palace's viewing platform because it is the only view that does not include the palace itself. And indeed the artistic value of the Place's architecture is quite a controversial topic.
The Palace was a "gift of friendship" from the Soviet Union to the Polish nation on the tenth anniversary of the liberation of Poland from the Nazis. It was designed by Soviet architect Lev Vladimirovich Rudnev, who also created alike building in Moscow - Lomonosov University. The Soviet Union decided to build nine palaces - eight in Moscow and one in Warsaw - to demonstrate the whole world the might of Soviet Power not weakened by the War. It is strange, but the project of the highest of them that had to be erected in the Soviet capital came to be in Warsaw. Over 3,500 workers were brought from the Soviet States for the construction of the building that was of a great political importance. It took only three years to build the Palace. And in 1955 the new tall building raised above the ruined city (during World War II Warsaw had been damaged so extensively that there was even a project to move the Polish capital to Krakow) - quite a symbolic sight for Varsovians, who took the Palace for the observation post of Soviet Power.
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Initially the building was called Stalin's Palace, but in the late 1950s it was renamed and got a new, more euphonic name. Although the citizens preferred to nickname it like "The Russian Wedding Cake" and "The Vertical Barracks". There were a lot of legends connected with the palace. According to one of them, during the construction of the building the victims of Soviet repressions were immured in the walls. According to another, there was a secret underground passage between the Palace and The House of Communistic party. During the cold war crises the citizens conversed in whisper that under the Palace the construction of an atomic underground shelter had been started. Throughout the Soviet period the Palace of Culture and Science remained a symbol of Soviet domination, so in 1989 some wanted to destroy the building as a reminder of a hated regime.
The monumental Palace can be treated as a striking example of the socialist era architecture characterized by a certain giant mania. The justice should be rendered to the architect Lev Rudnyev, who tried to incorporate traditional style in the soviet architecture of the building. For example, the pillars and parapets remind of the Sukiennice in Krakow's Old Town Square. But on the whole the Palace doesn't accord with the medieval architecture of Warsaw.
Nowadays the 42-story Palace hosts cinemas, theaters, museums, scientific institutions, shopping centers, nightclubs, etc. The largest facility in the palace is the Congress Hall, the venue of many cultural events and concerts with seats for about 3.000 people. In 1967 the legendary concert of the Rolling Stones, one of the first western bands allowed to perform to the Soviet audience, took place there.
On the Millennium Night, a special 6m high Millennium Clock that started the new time reckoning was placed on the palace's tower. It is reported to be the biggest tower clock in Europe.
For those who arrive in Warsaw for the first time the Palace of Culture may be a very good orientation spot while the gigantic Palace can be seen from a distance of 30km.
