Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw (Poland) - highest building in Poland
Where is located Palace of Culture and Science?
Address of Palace of Culture and Science is 1 Warsaw Parade Square, Warsaw, Poland
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When was built Palace of Culture and Science?
Built date of Palace of Culture and Science is May 2, 1952 - construction begins
1955 - completion of construction
Facts, informations and history of Palace of Culture and Science
The Palace of Culture and Science, often called PKiN, is not only the once tallest building in Poland, but also one of the most recognizable places in Warsaw. This monumental building arouses many emotions - from fascination with architecture to controversy related to its origin. In this article, we will take a closer look at the history, architecture and importance of the Palace of Culture and Science in the context of contemporary Warsaw.
History and construction of the Palace of Culture and Science
The Palace of Culture and Science was built in 1952-1955 as a gift of the Soviet nation to Poland. The originator of this monumental project was Joseph Stalin, and the Soviet architect Lev Rudnev was responsible for the project. An interesting fact is that Rudniew, wanting to give the building a Polish character, traveled to Polish cities such as Kraków, Chełm and Zamość to get acquainted with the local architecture.
The construction of the Palace of Culture and Science was a gigantic undertaking. About 3,500 workers from Russia were employed in the construction work and they lived in a housing estate specially built for them in Jelonki, Warsaw. Unfortunately, 16 Russian workers died during construction, which adds a sad note to the history of the creation of this monumental building.
Architecture and functions of the Palace of Culture and Science
The Palace of Culture and Science is an impressive mix of socialist realism and historicism, with clear influences from Moscow's skyscrapers known as the Seven Sisters, which in turn were inspired by American Art Deco skyscrapers. The total height of the building is 237 meters, which once made it the tallest building in Poland. The building has 42 floors and 3,288 rooms, and on the 30th floor, at a height of 114 meters, there is an observation deck with a breathtaking view of Warsaw.
The Palace of Culture and Science is not only a visual symbol of the capital of Poland, but also an important cultural and educational center. It houses many institutions, such as four theaters (Studio, Dramatyczny, Lalka, 6th floor), two museums (National Museum of Technology and the Museum of Evolution of the Polish Academy of Sciences), the "Kinoteka" cinema, Collegium Civitas and the authorities of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Moreover, the Palace of Culture and Science regularly organizes exhibitions and fairs, as well as meetings of the Capital City Council. Warsaw.
Curiosities and controversies
The Palace of Culture and Science, as a symbol of Soviet domination, has been controversial since its creation. In 1956, a series of suicide jumps began from the observation deck on the 30th floor. The first to jump was a Frenchman, followed by seven Poles who decided to take this tragic step. As a result of these events, it was decided to install grates on the terrace.
At the top of the Palace of Culture and Science there is the largest tower clock in Europe, which was unveiled on New Year's Eve in 2000. The four clock faces have a diameter of 6 meters each, and the clock is one of the highest tower clocks in the world.
One of the most interesting facts related to the Palace of Culture and Science is that before World War II, architect Juliusz Nagórski presented a design for a 200-meter Art Deco skyscraper, which was to be built on today's Washington Roundabout. This project, called the Independence Tower, was strikingly similar to the post-war Palace of Culture and Science, which adds extraordinary irony to the whole story.
The importance of the Palace of Culture and Science today
Today, the Palace of Culture and Science is an inseparable element of the Warsaw landscape, serving many public functions. It is the seat of numerous institutions, a place of cultural and educational events, and a popular tourist spot. Despite the controversy surrounding its origin and architecture, the Palace of Culture and Science is a symbol of the capital, which has become a permanent part of its panorama.
The Palace of Culture and Science was entered into the register of monuments in 2007, which caused mixed reactions. Supporters of recognizing the Palace of Culture and Science as a monument argue that the building is a unique example of socialist realist architecture and a historical value that cannot be ignored. Opponents, however, point out that the Palace of Culture and Science is a symbol of Soviet domination and enslavement of Poland, which makes its status as a monument controversial.
Energy consumption and other facts
The building consumes electricity comparable to the demand of a city of 30,000 people. This is due to its huge volume and the number of functions it performs.
The Palace of Culture and Science's façade consists partly of ceramic tiles, which have become significantly dirty over the years. In 2009, the cost of renovation was estimated at PLN 10–15 million. In 2017, an innovative and more economical technique was used to clean the facade of the Museum of Technology, which may be an indication for future renovation works of the entire building.
The Palace of Culture and Science employs 330 people, including electricians, plumbers and upholsterers, who keep the building in good condition.
Palace of Culture and Science in culture
The Palace of Culture and Science is not only an important monument and cultural center, but also an icon that inspires film and literary creators. Its presence in popular culture and art shows how deeply rooted it is in the consciousness of both the inhabitants of Warsaw and the whole of Poland.
Movies
The Palace of Culture and Science has appeared in many films, both Polish and foreign, which emphasizes its importance as a symbol of Warsaw and Poland:
"Man of Marble" (1976) - Director: Andrzej Wajda: A film telling the history of the construction of Nowa Huta and showing the realities of the People's Republic of Poland.
"Miś" (1980) - Directed by Stanisław Bareja: A cult Polish comedy in which the Palace of Culture and Science appears in several scenes as a background for the adventures of the main character.
"Warsaw" (2003) - Director Dariusz Gajewski: A film in which the Palace of Culture is a symbolic meeting place for various characters.
Books
The Palace of Culture and Science is also often mentioned in literature, especially in the context of socialist realism and the history of Warsaw:
"Prime Age and Other Times" - Olga Tokarczuk: In this novel, the Palace of Culture appears as a symbol of post-war Warsaw and the changes that took place in Poland in the 20th century.
"Palace" - Wiesław Myśliwski: A novel in which the Palace of Culture and Science building is the central point of the narrative, and its construction and existence are a pretext for reflection on history and national identity.
Conclusions and reflections
The Palace of Culture and Science is not only once the tallest building in Poland, but also a complex symbol of history, architecture and politics. Its monumental silhouette dominates Warsaw, being at the same time a place of controversy and fascination. As a cultural and educational center, the Palace of Culture and Science plays an important role in the life of the capital, offering a wide range of events and institutions that attract both residents and tourists.
Despite the controversy surrounding its origin, the Palace of Culture and Science is an integral element of Warsaw's identity. Its architecture, history and functions make it a unique place that has become a permanent part of the capital's landscape. It is therefore worth appreciating its value and importance, while remembering its complicated past.
Measuring 237 m (with the antenna), the Palace of Culture and Science was for many years the tallest building in Warsaw and Poland. It is a building of exceptional historical and architectural value, which is a symbol of the capital. It has now been surpassed in height by the 310 m (with spire) Varso Tower, which is currently the tallest building in the European Union, overtaking in this respect both the Palace of Culture and Science and other European skyscrapers.
Architect of Palace of Culture and Science
How many meters have Palace of Culture and Science?
Height of Palace of Culture and Science is 237 m - to the top of the spire
167.68 m - without a needle
Construction/building type
Building Palace of Culture and Science is of type Office building, Museum
Architectural style
Architectural style of Palace of Culture and Science is Art Deco, Socrealism
Art Deco is an architectural style that flourished in the 1920s and 1930s and was characterised by modern and elegant design. Its name comes from the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, or the International Exhibition of Decorative and Industrial Arts, which took place in Paris in 1925. ... czytaj więcej.
Other dimensions, parameters and frequently asked questions
What area have Palace of Culture and Science?
Palace of Culture and Science have area of 123 084 m² (1 324 876 ft²)
What capacity have Palace of Culture and Science?
Palace of Culture and Science have capacity 817.000 m³ (28.840 100 ft³) - cubic capacity
What material is the building made of?
Palace of Culture and Science is made of the following materials: stone, sandstone
Other names
The building is also known by other common names or in the original language, i.e. PKiN, Pałac Kultury i Nauki im. Józefa Stalina
Official website
The official website of the building, where up-to-date information can be found, is http://www.pkin.pl
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