Google Sightseeing » Poland

Warsaw Palace of Culture and Science

Alex Turnbull — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:10:23 +0000

The 230.68 metre (757 foot) tall Warsaw Palace of Culture and Science is the tallest building in Poland and the 187th tallest building in the world. Completed in 1955, the design of the building is of course in the Stalinist architectural style, and very similar to the previously featured Moscow State University¹.

The palace was actually a gift from Joseph Stalin to the people of Warsaw, and it’s said that when he offered the people the option of either a metro system, or the palace – the people chose a metro. So naturally Stalin gave them this palace.

Warsovians apparently hated this huge building, both in terms of design and political symbolism. Since Soviet domination over Poland ended in 1989 however, most of Warsaw’s residents have come to accept it as an important and integral part of their skyline.

More at Wikipedia and at the official site.

Thanks to Alexandra, Maciej Godlewski, Hubert Grzywacz, Yano and Max.

Which itself is one of seven similar skyscrapers Stalin had built in Moscow. ↩

Locations: Poland / Categories: Buildings, Shadows, Towers

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Rynek Glowny, Krakow

James Turnbull — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 17:30:09 +0000

The 10-acre Rynek Glowny (Grand Square) has been the hub of Krakow since the 13th century and today is a popular destination for tourists and locals to go shopping or hang out in the cafes, bars and clubs (you can even see the many yellow umbrellas of a cafe in our thumbnail shot).

The square’s tourist attractions include the leaning Town Hall Tower (in the South west corner), St Mary’ church (in the North east) and “Cloth Hall” in the centre. Cloth Hall is the world’s oldest shopping centre, having been in business some 700 years.

Thanks: Leslaw Frydel

Locations: Poland / Categories: Buildings, Towers

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Volvo Buses Factory

James Turnbull — Mon, 14 Nov 2005 18:08:42 +0000

The Volvo factory in Wroclaw has been churning out buses for over 10 years and has the famous Volvo logo emblazoned across the roof.

Regular Sightseers will tell you that where there’s large type on a factory there’s almost always an airport nearby, but in this case there’s no airport to be found. I wonder why they went to all the effort then?

Thanks: ArCgon & Marcin jakub Korzonek

Locations: Poland / Categories: Large Type, Other Vehicles

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Stadion Dziesięciolecia

James Turnbull — Sun, 07 Aug 2005 19:02:41 +0000

Stadion Dziesięciolecia (Polish for 10th Anniversary Stadium) is the biggest stadium in Warsaw but was abandoned in 1983. It is now home to the Jarmark Europa market, which runs every weekend. In the satellite photo you can see the stalls of over 5,000 companies (More info).

Thanks: pradera

Locations: Poland / Categories: Stadiums and Sport

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