Palace of Culture and Science (Palac Kultury i Nauki)
plac Defilad 1, Warsaw, POL
A towering 758 feet (231 meters) high, Warsaw’s Palace of Culture and Science was commissioned by Stalin during Poland’s communist era. Today, the country’s tallest building comprises concert halls, offices, shops, restaurants, and a 30th-floor viewing terrace.
Many travelers stop by the Palace of Culture and Science (Pałac Kultury i Nauki) to take in panoramic city views from the building’s outdoor deck. You might also attend a performance, check out a museum or two, or go shopping.
Exploring the palace interior is possible only on a guided tour. Delve into the palace’s history on a walking, biking, minivan, or vintage car tour of Warsaw’s top sights, or opt for a private excursion. In addition, you’ll typically find the palace on the itineraries of communist-themed tours and multi-day trips around Poland.
The palace stands on Defilad Square in central Warsaw, and is easily reached by public transit—the nearest tram and bus station is Świętokrzyska. Alternatively, walk to the palace in about 30 minutes from Castle Square (plac Zamkowy), or catch a taxi. Hop-on hop-off buses stop there as well. And if you’re driving, the palace has on-site parking.
The palace (including its viewing terrace) is open daily, and hours vary at the on-site businesses. Lines for the terrace elevators can get long—for fewer crowds, go on a weekday. The most atmospheric views are at sunset, as the skies darken over Warsaw.
- Much of the palace is accessible to wheelchairs, but the viewing terrace is not.
- You can enter the palace’s shops, restaurants, theaters, and museums without a viewing terrace ticket.
- Restrooms, baggage lockers, and ATMs are available inside the palace.
Built in 1952 as a gift from the Soviet ruler Joseph Stalin, the palace generates mixed emotions among Varsovians. Similar in looks to Moscow’s Seven Sisters skyscrapers, the 3,000-room palace is seen by some as an icon of Warsaw, but by others as an austere reminder of Poland’s 44 years under a Soviet-imposed government.
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