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Palace of Culture and Science, Warsaw, Poland August 2019. Photo by Kgbo-

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Palace of Culture and Science

The Palace of Culture and Science is a symbolic building in central Warsaw, Poland. It has a total height of 237 meters and is the second tallest building in both Warsaw and Poland, the sixth tallest building in European Union.

It houses various public and cultural institutions such as university faculties, theatres, cinemas, libraries and authorities of the Polish Academy of Science. The building has been listed in the Registry of Objects of Cultural Heritage.

Learn more about the Palace of Culture and Science in these top 10 amazing facts.

1. Lev Rudnev designed the Palace of Culture and Science

Palace of Culture and Science was motivated by Polish historical architecture and American art deco. It was designed by Lev Rudnev in the 鈥淪even Sisters鈥� style and is informally called Eighth tower.

The construction of the building began in 1952 and ended in 1955. It was a gift from the Soviet Union to the people of Poland.

The building towers were constructed using the Soviet plan by 3,500 to 5,000 Soviet workers and 4,000 polish workers.

The architecture of the building is similarly related to several similar skyscrapers built in the Soviet Union of the same era. The principal architect Lev Rudnev incorporated some Polish architectural details into the project.

The monument walls are headed with pieces of masonry copied from renaissance houses and palaces of Krakow and Zamosc.

2. It is the Sixth Tallest Establishment in the European Union

Palace of Culture and Science, Warsaw, Poland August 2019. Photo by Kgbo-

The Palace of Culture and Science towers are significant and can easily be noted over the Warsaw skyline. During its building, it was the world鈥檚 tall tower clock.

As of August 2018, the building was the sixth tallest in the European Union. It has a height of 237 meters above ground level. It is also the second tallest establishment in both Warsaw and Poland.

3. The Illumination of the Building Was Modernized in 2010

In 2010, the illumination of the building was improved. The illumination was modernized and high-power LED lights were installed, allowing the palace to take various colours at night.

The first use of the modernized lights was during Christmas in 2010. The establishment was illuminated in green and white to resemble a Christmas tree.

 During the Euromaidan protests in December 2013, it was illuminated in blue and yellow, the colours of the Ukrainian national flag, as a sign of harmony with the protesters.

In 2021 during the Women’s Strike protests, the symbol of the movement, a single red bolt on a black backdrop, was projected on the building.

4. It Has 3,288 Rooms

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The Palace of Culture and Science has 3,288 rooms. Some rooms remain empty while others are used only for special events.

The rooms of the building consist of over 100 toilets, movie theatres, bars, grand halls, many offices, conference rooms and all kinds of large meeting rooms such as the Sala Warszawa.

The largest room is the main auditorium. It has 2,897 seats and is used for hosting big events.

5. Several Events Have Been Hosted in the Building

The establishment hosted the 5th World Festival of Youth and Students shortly after opening. It also hosted a performance by international artists, such as the 1967 concert by The Rolling Stones, the first by the western rock group behind the Iron Curtain.

In 1985, it hosted the legendary Leonard Cohen concert, surrounded by many political assumptions, which Cohen avoided in his long introduction during the three-hour show.

6. The Congress Hall Held the Final of Miss World 2006

The congress hall is a 2,880-seat theatre at the Palace of Culture and Science and was opened in 1995. In 2006, Warsaw hosted Miss World here.

It was the 56th edition of Miss World and happened on September 30, 2006, at Congress Hall. This marked the first time a pageant was held in continental Europe in a European city other than London.

There wasn鈥檛 a Polish success for Marzena Cieslik, as Czech model Tatana Kucharova was crowned Miss World 2006.

7. There Building Has Over Ten Licensed Bars at the Building

This was not certainly a building designed for pubs, cafes, parties and bars. Currently, there are over ten licensed bars in the building, and the number keeps on growing.

There are many ground floor bars, nightclubs, licensed cafes, and cinema bars serving alcohol.

The most spectacular place to have a beer it鈥檚 on the 30th-floor viewing terrace, which you can reach in 19 seconds via the lift.

8. David Bowie Features on a Mural with This Building

Warsaw – “David Bowie” mural. Photo by Andrzej Otr臋bski-

In 1973, English singer David Bowie visited Warsaw. He later wrote a song titled Warszawa, based on his understanding of a city that was at the time rather grim and desolate.

The song was meant to be an optimistic ballad and Polish people came to love it. Now there is a mural nearby that features an image of David Bowie with the Palace of Culture and Science also on it.

Bowie was inspired to write the song melody based on a vinly record he bought in Warsaw that contained a folk song called Helokanie, written by a Polish folk choir band called Slask.

9. The Building Clock Has Four Faces

The clock on the Palace of Culture and Science has four faces. The clock was placed here on New Year鈥檚 Eve in 1999 to celebrate the new millennium.

At the time, the four-sided clock was the second biggest clock in Europe. Its four sides feature the symbol of Warsaw-the mermaid, known locally as the syrenka.

10. The Palace of Culture and Science Has Controversy

The Palace of Culture and Science is highly controversial for some. It is regarded as a reminder of Soviet influence over the Polish People鈥檚 Republic, especially due to its construction during the mass violation of human rights under Joseph.

A coalition of veteran and nationalist groups, law and Justice, has called for demolition of the building. In 2009 then Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski supported its demolition stating the expense involved in its maintenance.

Other prominent leaders have continued advocating for it to be demolished, including current Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. The idea has been rejected by others stating that the building has become symbolic of Warsaw.