Warsaw Palace of Science and Culture, a gift from Stalin, will probably be a monument

Warsaw - The Palace of Science and Culture in Warsaw, built in the style of socialist realism, could be listed among Poland's cultural monuments. The city's landmark, given to Poland in the 1950s by the then Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, still evokes various feelings in people today.
    Some want it demolished, while others praise it. In an internet poll by the newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza, 62 percent of respondents were in favor of adding the forty-two-story building to the list of monuments. Another 22 percent, however, believe that the Palace of Science and Culture, often seen as a symbol of Soviet dominance over Poland, should be torn down.
    Historians have already completed their research on the value of the building. They unanimously expressed that it should be protected in a manner similar to the Royal Castle or the Baroque Wilanów. "Views on the Palace are diverse, but if we look at it without emotions, additionally as a symbol of the past, it should be protected," said Maciej Czeredys, a member of the monument commission deciding the building's fate. The commission's verdict will be announced in the coming days.
    Critics of the tallest building in Poland claim that from its observation deck, the view of the city is the most beautiful. And that's precisely because the palace itself cannot be seen from there.
    Heritage consultant Andrzej Koss defends the building's value. If it is listed as a monument, it will allow heritage professionals to oversee any potential alterations to the building. "The Palace should offer a broader cultural program, it is well perceived by foreign guests, and that should be utilized," he believes.
    Architect Marcin Garbacki has also expressed support for the building's preservation. According to him, it holds much higher value than 95 percent of the buildings currently being constructed in Warsaw. "I associate the Palace with pre-war American skyscrapers. Whether someone likes it or not, it is a symbol of the city," he said. "Inside, you can see the good craftsmanship and that quality materials were used in the construction," he added.
    Construction of the sandstone giant in the very center of the city, which serves as a good landmark for tourists, began on May 2, 1952. The Palace was completed three years later. The building contains 3,288 rooms, and perhaps the most interesting feature for visitors is the observation deck on the 30th floor of the building, at a height of 114 meters. About 3,500 Soviet workers participated in the construction of the building.
    On New Year's Eve in 2000, a clock was unveiled on the tower of the palace - in keeping with the spirit of the building - the largest in Europe and the highest positioned in the world. The four dials have a diameter of six meters.