![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/polish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2011\/04\/images-1.jpeg\")
<\/a>Built using an estimated 40 million bricks and housing 3,288 rooms the Palace\u2019s purpose was to serve as not just party headquarters but also \u2018the people’s castle\u2019, with invitations to the annual New Year\u2019s Eve Ball issued to the best workers in socialist Poland. Regardless of this the building became an object of hatred and a stain on the skyline; like the imperialist Nevsky Cathedral that once stood on pl. Pi\u0142sudskiego, the palace was seen as no more than a symbol of Russian hegemony. Viewed from a distance \u2013 apparently it can be spotted from 30km away \u2013 the palace appears a faceless monolith. Viewed closely several intricate details appear in focus. Under Stalin\u2019s orders architects travelled around Poland\u2019s key cultural sights, from Wawel to Zamo\u015b\u0107, observing Polish architectural traditions, courtyards and motifs.<\/p>\nOnce inside the ground floor becomes a maze of halls and corridors, with chambers named after Eastern icons \u2013 Yuri Gagarin, Marie Sk\u0142odowska-Curie (a famous communist sympathizer) etc. Brass chandeliers hang over clacking parquet flooring, secret lifts lie hidden around and allegorical socialist reliefs take inspiration from ancient mythology \u2013 it\u2019s easy to imagine Bond snooping around planting listening devices. Several conference rooms still hold original translators booths, complete with huge dials and buttons. The crowning glory of the ground floor is the Sala Kongresowa, a decadent red theatre space apparently inspired by La Scala. Holding 2,880 its original use was to host party conferences, though through the years it became better known as a concert venue \u2013 hosting acts as diverse as the Rolling Stones in 1967, to the Chippendales in 2006.<\/p>\n
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Given that the building boasts over 3300 rooms there is not a lot to see, unless you\u2019re into conference facilities, so visitors are best directed to the terrace on the 30th floor. To get there you\u2019ll need to buy a ticket for 20z\u0142, when you will then be shepherded into an old-style lift, in which you will be escorted by a lovely lift attendant who has probably been doing the job since the building opened.<\/p>\n
Admission for the viewing level is 20\/15z\u0142. Group ticket for more than 10 people 12z\u0142 per person.<\/p>\n
Definitely worth stopping by, at least to see the views.<\/p>\n
Till next time…! Do nast<\/strong>\u0119pnego razu…!<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Don\u2019t let the name fool you \u2013 this is not the cultural hub of Warsaw. That said, however long you\u2019re in the city for this is a must-see to experience Soviet Warsaw. For all the aggressive westernization that has overcome Warsaw, the four decades of communism have yet to be completely erased from the face…<\/p>\n
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