Editing Palace of Culture and Science (section)

==History==
===Construction===
[[File:Budowa_Pałacu_Kultury_i_Nauki_001.jpg|thumb|left|The Palace under construction in 1953]]
[[File:Budowa Pałacu Kultury i Nauki 1954a.jpg|thumb|left|Workers on the building, 1954]]
The agreement to construct the tower was signed between the governments of the [[Polish People's Republic]] and the [[Soviet Union]] on 5 April 1952. It was offered as a gift to the people of Poland.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Dawson |first=Andrew H. |year=1999 |title=From Glittering Icon to... |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3060413 |journal=The Geographical Journal |volume=165 |issue=2 |pages=154–160 |doi=10.2307/3060413 |jstor=3060413 |bibcode=1999GeogJ.165..154D |issn=0016-7398 |access-date=17 February 2023 |archive-date=17 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217100624/https://www.jstor.org/stable/3060413 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Jabłoński |first=Krzysztof |date=1984 |chapter=Kronika odbudowy, budowy i rozbudowy 1945–1982 |title=Warszawa: portret miasta |language=pl |location=Warsaw |publisher=Arkady |isbn=83-213-2993-4}}</ref> Upon its completion in 1955, it was dedicated to Joseph Stalin.<ref>{{cite book|chapter-url=https://www.acsa-arch.org/chapter/stalins-cold-war-cathedral-as-architext-and-autofiction-the-identities-of-the-palace-of-culture-and-science-in-warsaw-poland/|editor=Craig Barton|title=86th ACSA Annual Meeting Proceedings, Constructing Identity|chapter=Stalin's "Cold War Cathedral" as Architext and Autofiction: The Identities of the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, Poland|author=Magdalena J. Zaboroska|year=1998|access-date=1 April 2023|archive-date=1 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401135952/https://www.acsa-arch.org/chapter/stalins-cold-war-cathedral-as-architext-and-autofiction-the-identities-of-the-palace-of-culture-and-science-in-warsaw-poland/|url-status=live}}</ref>

To visually determine the optimal height of the building, Soviet and Polish architects gathered near the eastern approach of the [[Silesian-Dąbrowa Bridge]]. A small airplane flew over the planned site of the Palace, towing a balloon. It made the first pass at {{convert|100|m|abbr=on}}, then at {{convert|110|and|120|m|abbr=on}}. The Soviets, led by [[Lev Rudnev]], decided that {{convert|120|m}} was enough for the tallest building in the city. However, the Poles, led by the chief architect of Warsaw, Józef Sigalin, kept shouting "Higher!" after every pass. Finally, the tower's height was set at {{convert|237|m}}, with a {{convert|120|m|abbr=on}} main structure, a {{convert|40|m|abbr=on}} turret and a {{convert|77|m|abbr=on}} spire.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://warszawawpigulce.pl/palac-kultury-i-nauki-konczy-65-lat/|title=Pałac Kultury i Nauki kończy 65 lat!|website=Warszawa w Pigułce|language=pl|date=1 July 2020|access-date=28 May 2023|archive-date=28 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528210017/https://warszawawpigulce.pl/palac-kultury-i-nauki-konczy-65-lat/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Construction started in May 1952 and lasted until July 1955. The tower was built using Soviet plans. It is estimated that between 3,500 and 5,000 Soviet guest workers and 4,000 local Polish workers participated in the project. 16 workers died in accidents during construction.<ref name="history">{{cite web |title=Historia |url=http://www.pkin.pl/historia/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720000248/http://www.pkin.pl/historia/ |archive-date=20 July 2011 |access-date=25 July 2008 |website=Pałacu Kultury i Nauki |language=pl}}</ref> The builders were housed at a new residential complex built at Poland's expense in the Bemowo district of Warsaw, called Osiedle Przyjaźń ("Friendship Neighborhood"). The complex had its own cinema, a food court, a community center and a swimming pool.<ref name="Palace-2" /><ref name="history" />

The architecture of the building has many similarities to Moscow's [[Seven Sisters (Moscow)|Seven Sisters]], a group of Stalinist skyscrapers by the same architect, in particular the [[main building of Moscow State University]]. Other similar buildings are the [[House of the Free Press]] in [[Bucharest]] and the [[Latvian Academy of Sciences|Latvian Academy of Sciences Building]] in [[Riga]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Latvian Academy of Sciences, Riga, Latvia - SpottingHistory.com |url=https://www.spottinghistory.com/view/4791/latvian-academy-of-sciences/ |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=www.spottinghistory.com |language=en |archive-date=17 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217095036/https://www.spottinghistory.com/view/4791/latvian-academy-of-sciences/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, Lev Rudnev incorporated Polish architectural details into the project after travelling around the country. For example, the parapets<!-- NOTE TO POLISH EDITORS: "parapet" is a false friend that is pervasively mistranslated. It does not mean "windowsill", it means "low wall surrounding a roof". The correct Polish translation appears to be "attyka". --> are modeled on [[Renaissance]] houses and the palaces of [[Kraków]] and [[Zamość]].<ref name="history" />

===Early years===
[[File:A_Kultúra_és_Tudomány_Palotája._Fortepan_75020.jpg|thumb|left|The Palace of Culture and Science in 1960]]
At the time of its completion, the Palace of Culture and Science was the [[List of tallest buildings|eighth tallest building in the world]] and the [[List of tallest buildings in Europe|second tallest building in Europe]] (after the [[Moscow State University|Moscow State University Building]]). The Palace retained these positions until 1961 and 1990, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|last=Białas|first=Adam|url=https://www.onet.pl/turystyka/adam-bialas/zamiast-palacu-kultury-i-nauki-w-warszawie-miala-powstac-wieza-niepodleglosci/wzvcttl,30bc1058|title=Miała być wieża, powstał pałac. Niezwykła historia Warszawy sprzed lat|website=Onet|language=pl|date=31 May 2023|access-date=4 June 2023}}</ref>

Shortly after opening, many visiting dignitaries toured the Palace, and the building hosted the [[5th World Festival of Youth and Students]], held from July to August 1955. In 1956, several people committed [[Suicide by jumping from height|suicide by jumping]] from the observation deck on the 30th floor, at the height of {{convert|114|m}}. The first victim was a Frenchman, followed by seven Poles. After these incidents, the observation deck was enclosed in steel bars.

The Palace's concert hall has hosted performances by notable international artists. In 1967, [[The Rolling Stones]] became the first major western rock group to hold a concert behind the [[Iron Curtain]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Tilghman |first=Timothy |date=n.d. |title=Through The Past Darkly: The Stones Tumultuous 1967 European Tour |url=http://rockontour.net/bj67.html |access-date=25 July 2008 |website=RockonTour.net |archive-date=15 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080715234105/http://www.rockontour.net/bj67.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The 1985 concert by [[Leonard Cohen]], held during the period of [[martial law in Poland]], was surrounded by intense expectations that the artist would make a political statement about the growing [[Solidarity (Polish trade union)|Solidarity]] movement.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wyszogrodzki |first=Daniel |date=n.d. |title=Warsaw 1985 |url=http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/warsaw85.html |access-date=29 October 2012 |website=The Leonard Cohen Files |archive-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903110411/http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/warsaw85.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Present day===
[[File:Pałac Kultury i Nauki i diabelski młyn.jpg|thumb|The Palace at night during Christmas market]]
[[File:Sala Kongresowa od strony południowej 2018.jpg|thumb|The [[Congress Hall (Warsaw)|Congress Hall]] at the Palace of Culture and Science]]
The building currently serves as an exhibition centre and office complex. The Palace contains a [[multiplex (movie theater)|multiplex cinema]] with eight screens (Kinoteka),<ref>{{cite web |title=Wynajem sal |url=http://www.kinoteka.pl/wynajem-sal-1/wynajem-sal/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130003851/http://www.kinoteka.pl/wynajem-sal-1/wynajem-sal/ |archive-date=30 January 2015 |access-date=29 January 2015 |website=Kinoteka |language=pl }}</ref> four theatres (Studio, Dramatyczny, Lalka and 6. piętro), two museums ([[Museum of Evolution of Polish Academy of Sciences|Museum of Evolution]] and [[Museum of Technology, Warsaw|Museum of Technology]]), offices, bookshops, a large swimming pool, an auditorium hall for 3,000 people called [[Congress Hall (Warsaw)|Congress Hall]],<ref name="Palace-1">{{cite web |last=Zaborowska |first=Magdalena J. |date=1999 |title=The Height of (Architectural) Seduction: Reading the "Changes" through Stalin's Palace in Warsaw, Poland |url=http://www.hum.au.dk/ckulturf/pages/publications/mz/architect.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112214248/http://www.hum.au.dk/ckulturf/pages/publications/mz/architect.htm |archive-date=12 November 2007 |access-date=18 April 2008 |website=Centre for Cultural Research, [[University of Aarhus]]}}</ref> and an accredited university, [[Collegium Civitas]], on the 11th and 12th floors of the building. The terrace on the 30th floor, at {{convert|114|m}}, is a well-known tourist attraction with a panoramic view of the city.<ref>{{cite web |title=Viewing Terrace "XXX Floor" |url=http://www.pkin.pl/eng/tourist-zone-observation-decky |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924220249/http://pkin.pl/eng/tourist-zone-observation-decky |archive-date=24 September 2020 |access-date=4 March 2020 |website=Pałac Kultury i Nauki |language=en}}</ref> The [[Warsaw City Council]] and city offices are located in the building.

A collection of sculptures representing figures of the fields of culture and science surrounds the Palace. Two of them are located in front of the main entrance: one of Polish astronomer [[Nicolaus Copernicus]], by Ludwika Nitschowa, and another of Polish poet [[Adam Mickiewicz]], by [[Stanisław Horno-Popławski]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Grzesiuk-Olszewska|first=Irena|date=2003|title=Warszawska rzeźba pomnikowa|location=Warsaw|language=pl|publisher=Wydawnictwo Neriton|pages=112–113|isbn=83-88973-59-2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Skup|first=Marcin|url=http://polskisocrealizm.org/sztuka/rzezby-palacu-kultury-i-nauki|title=Rzeźby Pałacu Kultury i Nauki|website=Polski Socrealizm|language=pl|date=23 July 2015|access-date=4 June 2023|archive-date=15 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415124821/http://polskisocrealizm.org/sztuka/rzezby-palacu-kultury-i-nauki|url-status=live}}</ref>

Four {{convert|6.3|m|adj=mid}} clock faces were added to the top of the building ahead of the millennium celebrations in 2000. The clocks began working on 31 December 2000.<ref>{{cite web |date=2 January 2013 |title=Milenijny zegar odmierza czas już 12 lat |url=https://polskieradio.pl/art481_754174 |access-date=14 February 2021 |website=PolskieRadio.pl |language=pl}}</ref>

The Congress Hall held the finals of [[Miss World 2006]].<ref>{{cite web |date=2 October 2006 |title=Miss World 2006 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/miss-world-2006/ |access-date=4 March 2020 |website=CBS News |language=en |archive-date=29 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329074523/https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/miss-world-2006/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2010, the illumination of the building was modernized and high-power LED lights were installed, allowing the Palace to take various colours at night.<ref>{{cite web |date=9 September 2010 |title=Stolica: ponad dwa miliony na oświetlenie Pałacu Kultury |url=https://wiadomosci.onet.pl/warszawa/stolica-ponad-dwa-miliony-na-oswietlenie-palacu-kultury/w4tg1el |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=Onet Wiadomości |language=pl |archive-date=23 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423201606/https://wiadomosci.onet.pl/warszawa/stolica-ponad-dwa-miliony-na-oswietlenie-palacu-kultury/w4tg1el |url-status=live }}</ref> The first use of the new lighting was during Christmas in 2010, when the Palace was illuminated in green and white to resemble a Christmas tree.<ref>{{cite web |date=23 December 2010 |title=Świąteczne oświetlenie Pałacu Kultury i Nauki w Warszawie |url=https://www.rmf24.pl/fakty/polska/news-swiateczne-oswietlenie-palacu-kultury-i-nauki-w-warszawie,nId,314488 |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=RMF24 |language=pl |archive-date=2 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602131556/https://www.rmf24.pl/fakty/polska/news-swiateczne-oswietlenie-palacu-kultury-i-nauki-w-warszawie,nId,314488 |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2013, during the [[Euromaidan]] protests, it was illuminated in blue and yellow, the colours of the [[Flag of Ukraine|Ukrainian national flag]] as a sign of solidarity with the protesters.<ref>{{cite web |date=5 December 2013 |title=Pałac Kultury podświetlony w barwach Ukrainy [Zdjęcia] |url=https://warszawa.wyborcza.pl/warszawa/7,54420,15076004,palac-kultury-podswietlony-w-barwach-ukrainy-zdjecia.html |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=Wyborcza.pl Warszawa |language=pl |archive-date=2 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602030927/https://warszawa.wyborcza.pl/warszawa/7,54420,15076004,palac-kultury-podswietlony-w-barwach-ukrainy-zdjecia.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 29 January 2021, during the [[All-Poland Women's Strike|Women's Strike]] protests, the symbol of the movement—a single red bolt on a black background—was projected on the building.<ref>{{cite web |date=29 January 2021 |title=Pałac Kultury i Nauki w Warszawie z czerwoną błyskawicą: "Jesteśmy z Wami" |url=https://www.eska.pl/warszawa/palac-kultury-i-nauki-w-warszawie-z-czerwona-blyskawica-jestesmy-z-wami-aa-qhKe-gSKD-HgAW.html |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=Radio Eska |language=pl |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517213521/https://www.eska.pl/warszawa/palac-kultury-i-nauki-w-warszawie-z-czerwona-blyskawica-jestesmy-z-wami-aa-qhKe-gSKD-HgAW.html |url-status=live }}</ref>