Editing Palace of Culture and Science

{{Short description|High-rise building in Warsaw, Poland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox building
 | name                 = Palace of Culture and Science
 | native_name          = ''Pałac Kultury i Nauki – PKiN''
 | image                = Pałac Kultury i Nauki 2019.jpg
 | image_size           = 240px
 | caption              = Palace of Culture and Science in 2019
 | location             = [[Warsaw]], [[Poland]]
 | address              = [[Parade Square|Plac Defilad]] 1
 | coordinates          = {{coord|52|13|54|N|21|00|23|E|region:PL_scale:2000|display=inline,title}}
 | start_date           = 2 May 1952
 | completion_date      = 22 July 1955
 | building_type        = Mixed-use
 | roof                 = {{convert|187.68|m|abbr=on}}
 | architectural        = {{convert|237|m|abbr=on}}
 | observatory          = {{convert|114|m|abbr=on}}
 | floor_count          = 42
 | floor_area           = {{convert|123084|m2|sqft|0|abbr=on}}
 | architect            = [[Lev Rudnev]]
 | architectural_style  = [[Stalinist architecture|Stalinist]]
 | website              = {{URL|http://www.pkin.pl/}}
 | number_of_rooms      = 3288
 | public_transit       = {{rint|warsaw|M1}}{{rint|warsaw|M2}} {{stl|Warsaw Metro|Świętokrzyska}}<br />{{rint|warsaw|M1}} {{stl|Warsaw Metro|Centrum}}
}}

The '''Palace of Culture and Science''' ({{langx|pl|Pałac Kultury i Nauki}};{{efn|name=pron1|{{IPA|pl|ˈpawat͡s kulˈturɨ i ˈna.ukʲi}}}} abbreviated '''''PKiN'''''){{efn|name=pron2|{{IPA|pl|pɛ ka i ˈɛn}}}} is a notable [[skyscraper|high-rise]] building in central [[Warsaw]], Poland. With a total height of {{convert|237|m}}, it is the second tallest building in both Warsaw and Poland (after the [[Varso|Varso Tower]]), the sixth tallest building in the European Union and one of the [[List of tallest buildings in Europe|tallest on the European continent]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Historia Pałacu |trans-title=History of the Palace |url=http://www.pkin.pl/historia-palacu/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622003451/http://www.pkin.pl/historia-palacu |archive-date=22 June 2019 |access-date=22 March 2016 |website=Pałac Kultury i Nauki |language=pl}}</ref> At the time of its completion in 1955, the Palace was the [[List of tallest buildings|eighth tallest building in the world]], retaining the position until 1961; it was also briefly the tallest [[clock tower]] in the world, from 2000 until the 2002 installation of a clock mechanism on the [[NTT Docomo Yoyogi Building]] in [[Tokyo]], Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/104939/ntt-docomo-yoyogi-building-tokyo-japan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512013611/http://www.emporis.com/buildings/104939/ntt-docomo-yoyogi-building-tokyo-japan|url-status=usurped|archive-date=12 May 2015|title=NTT DoCoMo Yoyogi Building|website=Emporis|access-date=July 30, 2022}}</ref>

Inspired by Polish historical architecture and American [[art deco]] high-rise buildings, the Palace of Culture and Science was designed by Soviet-Russian architect [[Lev Rudnev]] in "[[Seven Sisters (Moscow)|Seven Sisters]]" style.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sorokina|first=Anna|url=https://www.rbth.com/lifestyle/333657-stalinist-skyscrapers-abroad|title=Where outside Russia can you find Stalin's skyscrapers?|website=[[Russia Beyond]]|date=April 13, 2021|access-date=July 30, 2022|archive-date=11 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111110028/https://www.rbth.com/lifestyle/333657-stalinist-skyscrapers-abroad|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Palace houses various public and cultural institutions, including theatres, museums, universities, a cinema, [[Congress Hall (Warsaw)|a concert hall]], a public swimming pool, and the offices of the [[Polish Academy of Sciences]]. The building is decorated with sculptures representing the fields of culture and science. The main entrance features sculptures of the astronomer [[Nicolaus Copernicus]], by Ludwika Nitschowa, and the poet [[Adam Mickiewicz]], by [[Stanisław Horno-Popławski]]. Since 2007, the PKiN has been listed in the [[Register of objects of cultural heritage|Registry of Objects of Cultural Heritage]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Kłopotowski|first=Krzysztof|url=https://www.rp.pl/historia/art2080601-palac-kultury-w-warszawie-pomnik-stalina-wersal-bieruta|title=Pałac Kultury w Warszawie. Pomnik Stalina, Wersal Bieruta|publisher=[[Rzeczpospolita (newspaper)|Rzeczpospolita]]|language=pl|date=6 March 2018|access-date=4 June 2023}}</ref>

==Name==
The building was originally known as the [[Joseph Stalin]] Palace of Culture and Science (''Pałac Kultury i Nauki imienia Józefa Stalina''). During the period of [[destalinization]], the dedication to Stalin was revoked.<ref name="Palace-2">{{Citation |title=BESTUFS Conference: Best Urban Freight Solutions |date=2007 |url=http://www.bestufs.net/download/conferences/Warsaw_May07/BESTUFS_Warsaw_May07_Conference_Leaflet.pdf |type=Leaflet |access-date=19 April 2008 |mode=cs1 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225330/http://www.bestufs.net/download/conferences/Warsaw_May07/BESTUFS_Warsaw_May07_Conference_Leaflet.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Stalin's name was removed from the colonnade, the interior lobby and one of the building's sculptures.

The Palace has a variety of nicknames. The most popular ones are ''Pekin'' ("[[Beijing]]", from its acronym ''PKiN'') and ''Patyk'' ("stick", presumably from its appearance).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://polskieradio24.pl/artykul/177452,klopotliwy-prezent |title=Kłopotliwy prezent |date=2008-07-21 |publisher=Polskie Radio 24}}</ref> Other nicknames include ''pajac'' ("clown", a word that sounds similar to ''pałac''),<ref name="nicknames">{{cite news | last=Zblewski | first=Zdzisław | title="Sen szalonego cukiernika". Jak powstał Pałac Kultury i Nauki? | trans-title=The "mad confectioner's dream": how did the Palace of Culture and Science come about? | url=https://twojahistoria.pl/2018/02/06/sen-szalonego-cukiernika-jak-powstal-palac-kultury-i-nauki/ | language=pl | publisher=TwojaHistoria.pl | date=February 6, 2018 | access-date=March 21, 2023 | archive-date=21 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321162129/https://twojahistoria.pl/2018/02/06/sen-szalonego-cukiernika-jak-powstal-palac-kultury-i-nauki/ | url-status=live }}</ref> ''strzykawka'' ("syringe"), ''słoń w koronkowych gatkach'' ("elephant in lacy underwear"), ''ruski tort'' ("Russian birthday cake"), ''rakieta Stalina'' ("Stalin' rocket"),<ref name="nicknames2">{{cite news | last=Wierzbicki | first=Piotr | title=Warszawski "Pekin" pochodzi z licznej rodziny. "Siedem sióstr Stalina" i nie tylko | trans-title=Warsaw's "Beijing" comes from a large family: "Stalin's seven sisters" and more | url=https://www.fakt.pl/hobby/historia/budynki-podobne-do-palacu-kultury-siedem-siostr-stalina-i-nie-tylko/h6nf20h | language=pl | work=[[Fakt]] | date=March 7, 2022 | access-date=March 21, 2023 | archive-date=21 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321162129/https://www.fakt.pl/hobby/historia/budynki-podobne-do-palacu-kultury-siedem-siostr-stalina-i-nie-tylko/h6nf20h | url-status=live }}</ref> ''koszmarny sen pijanego cukiernika'' ("drunk confectioner's nightmare", attributed to poet [[Władysław Broniewski]]<ref name="koszmarnysen">{{cite news | title=Koszmarny sen pijanego cukiernika  | trans-title=The drunk confectioner's nightmare | url=https://www.polskieradio.pl/39/156/Artykul/633706,Koszmarny-sen-pijanego-cukiernika | language=pl | publisher=[[Polskie Radio]] | date=July 21, 2012 | access-date=August 14, 2024}}</ref>), and vulgar terms such as ''[[Mat (profanity)#Khuy|chuj]] Stalina'' ("Stalin's dick").<ref name="chuj1">{{Cite web | last=Feliks | first=Asia | title=Moving Towards Architectural Forgiveness in Poland | url=https://isismagazine.org.uk/2019/08/moving-towards-architectural-forgiveness-in-poland/ | work=[[The Isis Magazine|The Isis]] | date=August 8, 2019 | access-date=April 29, 2024}}</ref><ref name="chuj2">{{Cite news | last=Gardiner | first=Sandy | title=Poland — a country reincarnated | url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/entertainment/arts/2017/03/26/visiting-poland-country-reincarnated/21890433007/ | work=[[Sarasota Herald-Tribune]] | date=March 26, 2017 | access-date=April 29, 2024}}</ref><ref name="chuj3">{{Cite news | last=Costa Owen | first=Jay | title=The City of Warsaw: The Forgotten Neon Era | url=https://www.portugalresident.com/the-city-of-warsaw-the-forgotten-neon-era/ | work=Portugal Resident | date=April 28, 2020 | access-date=August 4, 2024}}</ref>

==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>

==Radio and TV transmitter==
[[File:WiKi TheSpirePKiN20110903.jpg|thumb|The top section of The Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, Poland. Radio and TV antennas on the spire.]]
Due to its height, the Palace has always been an attractive location for telecommunication antennas. The first antenna was installed in 1956 to transmit [[Telewizja Polska|state television]] signals. In 1974, a [[microwave link]] was installed to send [[Polskie Radio]] [[Polskie Radio Program I|Program I]] programming to the [[longwave]] [[Warsaw radio mast]] in [[Konstantynów, Płock County|Konstantynów]]. [[FM broadcasting|FM radio]] transmissions began in 1992.

Digital television transmissions began on 22 July 2008, using the [[DVB-T]] standard. Nowadays, all six digital [[Multiplex (television)|multiplex]]es of the country's free-to-air broadcasters are transmitted from the Palace. Analog television transmissions were shut down on 19 March 2013.

[[Soviet Central Television]] [[Programme One]], later [[Channel One Russia]], was rebroadcast from the PKiN transmitter between 1 April 1987 and 31 May 1997. Its target audience was the [[Soviet Armed Forces]] (later [[Russian Armed Forces]]) personnel [[Northern Group of Forces|stationed in the country until 1993]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://radiopolska.pl/wykaz/obiekt/160 | title=RadioPolska • Obiekt nadawczy &#124; RTCN Warszawa *Pałac Kultury i Nauki }}</ref>

==Fauna==
The 42nd floor of the Palace is a nesting place for [[peregrine falcon]]s. In 2009, cameras were installed at the site, with a live view from the nest being available on the website of the Association for Wild Animals Sokół.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://webcam.peregrinus.pl/pl/warszawa-pkin-podglad-z-warszawy|title=Warszawa PKiN|website=peregrinus.pl|language=pl|access-date=3 June 2023|archive-date=22 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622014026/http://webcam.peregrinus.pl/pl/warszawa-pkin-podglad-z-warszawy|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2016, after a five-year break, a pair of falcons had offspring there. In a competition of internet users, the young falcons were given the names Bazyl, Orion and Wawa. In 2017, due to the maintenance works on the spire of the building, the falcons were moved to the highest floor of the [[Warsaw Trade Tower]] skyscraper. They returned to the Palace of Culture and Science after the renovation of the spire was completed.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Cała Polska czeka na małe sokoły|magazine=Gazeta Stołeczna|language=pl|page=3|date=23 April 2020}}</ref>

Cats live on the second basement floor, with the administration of the Palace of Culture and Science responsible for their care. In the past, there were several dozen of them, while in June 2015 the number of these animals was 11.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Urzykowski|first=Tomasz|title=Tajemnicze piwnice Pałacu dla zwiedzających|magazine=Gazeta Stołeczna|language=pl|page=4|date=20 June 2015}}</ref>

Since 2015, an [[apiary]] is kept on the roof of the Studio Theatre at the Palace of Culture and Science.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://warszawa.wyborcza.pl/warszawa/7,34862,18520684,na-dachu-palacu-kultury-zamieszkaly-miejskie-pszczoly.html|title=Na dachu Pałacu Kultury zamieszkały miejskie pszczoły|website=Wyborcza.pl|language=pl|date=7 August 2015|access-date=3 June 2023|archive-date=4 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604040753/https://warszawa.wyborcza.pl/warszawa/7,34862,18520684,na-dachu-palacu-kultury-zamieszkaly-miejskie-pszczoly.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Controversy==
The Palace of Culture and Science is highly controversial. It was built at the peak of [[Stalinism]], when Polish citizens suffered severe violations of their human rights. As a result, it is often viewed as a symbol of Soviet domination over the Polish People's Republic.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Babe |first=Ann |date=26 February 2018 |title=The Movement to Destroy Warsaw's Tallest Building |url=https://nextcity.org/features/the-movement-to-destroy-warsaws-tallest-building |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=Next City |language=en |archive-date=26 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526120317/https://nextcity.org/features/the-movement-to-destroy-warsaws-tallest-building |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Porozumienie Organizacji Kombatanckich i Niepodległościowych w Krakowie'',<ref>{{cite web |date=16 November 2017 |title=Ile wywrotek potrzeba, by wywieźć gruz po Pałacu Kultury i po cholerę w ogóle to robić? |url=https://noizz.pl/opinie/ile-kosztowaloby-zburzenie-palacu-kultury-i-nauki-65-urodziny-pkin/1cys3ds |access-date=14 February 2021 |website=Noizz |language=pl |archive-date=27 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127104011/https://noizz.pl/opinie/ile-kosztowaloby-zburzenie-palacu-kultury-i-nauki-65-urodziny-pkin/1cys3ds |url-status=live }}</ref> a coalition of veteran and nationalist groups, and the [[Law and Justice (Poland)|Law and Justice]] party have called for its demolition.<ref>{{cite web |last=Stawiany |first=Jacek |date=16 November 2017 |title=Tak wyglądałaby Warszawa bez Pałacu Kultury: Całkiem inne miasto? [Przed i po] |url=https://metrowarszawa.gazeta.pl/metrowarszawa/56,141637,22653737,tak-wygladalaby-warszawa-bez-palacu-kultury-calkiem-inne-miasto.html |access-date=14 February 2021 |website=Metro Warszawa |language=pl |archive-date=19 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019162146/https://metrowarszawa.gazeta.pl/metrowarszawa/56,141637,22653737,tak-wygladalaby-warszawa-bez-palacu-kultury-calkiem-inne-miasto.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2009, then Foreign Minister [[Radosław Sikorski]] supported the demolition of the Palace noting the expense involved in its maintenance.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bernatt |first=Maciek |date=17 November 2009 |title=Call for Demolition of Polish Palace |language=en |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8355357.stm |access-date=19 October 2018 |archive-date=19 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019164955/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8355357.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Other prominent government leaders have continued to endorse demolition plans, including former Prime Minister [[Mateusz Morawiecki]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 November 2017 |title=Top Politicos 'Dream' of Demolishing Stalinist Palace |language=en |work=Pulse.ng |url=https://www.pulse.ng/news/world/in-poland-top-politicos-dream-of-demolishing-stalinist-palace/37l4ppv |access-date=23 April 2022 |archive-date=23 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423201607/https://www.pulse.ng/news/world/in-poland-top-politicos-dream-of-demolishing-stalinist-palace/37l4ppv |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of tallest buildings in Warsaw]]
* [[List of tallest buildings in Poland]]
* [[Socialist realism in Poland]]
* [[Latvian Academy of Sciences]] (Riga, Latvia)
* [[House of the Free Press]] (Bucharest, Romania)

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last=Murawski |first=Michał |date=2019 |title=The Palace Complex: A Stalinist Skyscraper, Capitalist Warsaw, and a City Transfixed |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=978-0-253-03996-5}}
* {{cite journal |last=Zaborowska |first=Magdalena |date=2001 |title=The Height of (Architectural) Seduction: Reading the "Changes" through Stalin's Palace in Warsaw, Poland |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1162/10464880152474529 |journal=Journal of Architectural Education |volume=54 |issue=4 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |pages=205–217 |doi=10.1162/10464880152474529|s2cid=144827612 }}
* {{cite book|last1=Urzykowski|first1=Tomasz|last2=S. Majewski|first2=Jerzy|date=2015|title=Spacerownik - Pałac Kultury i Nauki. Socrealistyczna Warszawa|language=pl|location=Warsaw|publisher=[[Agora (company)|Agora]]|isbn=978-83-268-2252-0}}
* {{cite book|last1=Budzińska|first1=Magdalena|last2=Sznajderman|first2=Monika|date=2015|title=Jako dowód i wyraz przyjaźni. Reportaże o Pałacu Kultury|language=pl|publisher=Czarne|isbn=978-83-8049-118-2}}
* {{cite book|last=Stopa|first=Magdalena|date=2015|title=Przed wojną i pałacem|language=pl|location=Warsaw|publisher=[[History Meeting House]]|isbn=978-83-62020-73-7}}
* {{cite book|last=Chomątowska|first=Beata|date=2015|title=Pałac. Biografia intymna|language=pl|location=Kraków|publisher=[[Znak (publisher)|Znak]]|isbn=978-83-240349-4-9}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Palace of Culture and Science}}
*{{Official website|https://pkin.pl/en/home/}}
*{{structurae|id=20010863|title=Palace of Culture and Science}}
*[http://www.sztuka.net/palio/html.run?_Instance=sztuka&_PageID=857&newsId=5062&_cms=newser&callingPageId=856&_CheckSum=-64025920 Sculptures of the Palace of Culture and Science] at sztuka.net {{in lang|pl}}
*[http://repozytorium.fn.org.pl/?q=pl/node/7686 Construction of the Palace of Culture and Science] in the chronicle of the Repozytorium Cyfrowe Filmoteki Narodowej {{in lang|pl}}
*[http://repozytorium.fn.org.pl/?q=pl/node/7778 Installation of the spire of the Palace of Culture and Science] in the chronicle of the Repozytorium Cyfrowe Filmoteki Narodowej {{in lang|pl}}
*[https://maps.google.com/?ll=52.232215,21.007276&spn=0.008937,0.020127&t=k&om=1 Google Maps view of the Palace of Culture and Science]

{{Warsaw Skyscrapers}}
{{Warsaw landmarks}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Palace Of Culture And Science, Warsaw}}
[[Category:1955 establishments in Poland]]
[[Category:Art Deco architecture in Poland]]
[[Category:Clock towers in Poland]]
[[Category:Landmarks in Poland]]
[[Category:Palaces in Warsaw]]
[[Category:Poland–Soviet Union relations]]
[[Category:Skyscrapers in Warsaw]]
[[Category:Socialist realism]]
[[Category:Stalinism in Poland]]
[[Category:Stalinist architecture]]
[[Category:Śródmieście Północne]]
[[Category:Towers completed in 1955]]
[[Category:Soviet monuments outside Russia]]
[[Category:Architectural controversies]]
[[Category:Controversies in Poland]]