Warsaw has plainly stated its ambition to have more skyscrapers than any other city in Europe. The city currently has 25 buildings of over 100m, with another 10 approved for construction in the coming years. The number of proposed skyscrapers seeking approval at this very moment would potentially bring the total up to 65. Beloved by locals and symbolic of the city's bold vision and ambition to be the most modern capital in Europe, let's take a look at some of the most notable towers and viewpoints in Warsaw, beginning with the tallest.
Varso Tower
Poland now possesses the tallest building in the EU at 310m, though it begs pointing out that the last 80m is actually a completely pointless and not particularly attractive spire. As such, the roof level is actually at 230m, and is planned to be a public observation deck (VistaTerrace) offering the highest views available, while keeping your feet on solid ground. The Skytop restaurant and bar will occupy the 46th and 48th floors. Varso is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2022.
Plac Defilad 1
Following the war Warsaw’s rush to rebuild saw the construction of what has become
the city's defining icon
. Dominating the city skyline, the fearsome
Palace of Culture & Science
(PKiN) towers at just over
231 metres
and was for many decades the tallest and largest structure in Poland. Commissioned by Stalin as a 'gift from the Soviet people,' it was originally interpreted as a reminder from Moscow that Big Brother really was watching. To this day it still stirs mixed feelings from locals and architecture buffs, and the collapse of communism even saw calls to demolish it.
On April 5, 1952 Soviet representative Nikolaj Sobolev and Polish Prime Minister Józef Cyrankiewicz stamped the deal to build the monstrosity over a meeting in what is now the
Belvedere restaurant
. Within weeks construction had begun. Over 3,500 workers were ferried in from the Soviet states and housed in a purpose-built village in Jelonki, west Warsaw, where they were effectively cut off from the outside world. Working around the clock, it took them just three years to complete the Palace. Designed by Soviet architect Lev Rudnyev (also responsible for Lomonosov University in Moscow), it is a fabulous example of
socialist era architecture
and also incorporates several more traditional styles (the pillars and parapets were apparently inspired by the
Cloth Hall
in
Kraków's Old Town Square
). Built using an estimated 40 million bricks and housing 3,288 rooms, the vast Palace can allegedly be seen from a distance of 30km. Originally intended to serve as the Communist party HQ, the multi-purpose building currently houses museums, restaurants, theatres, conference halls, offices etc. The Sala Kongresowa (Congress Hall) is big enough to hold 3,000 people, and it was here in 1967 that the Rolling Stones became one of the first western bands to perform to an Eastern Bloc audience. According to urban legend, an army of wild cats now live in the cavernous basements, feasting on the legions of rodents who also reside within the building's gloomy bowels.
The highest clock tower in the world was added to the structure and unveiled on January 1, 2001 and visitors should pencil in a visit to the
viewing platform
.
Buy your tickets first
, then take an elevator - complete with attendant - all the way up to the 30th floor for panoramic views from an actual open-air terrace. The only problem with these views is that the Palace of Culture isn't in them.
Plac Europejski beneath the Warsaw Spire.
Warsaw Spire
Plac Europejski 1, 2, 6
Warsaw's 3rd tallest tower (220m), is also one of its most aesthetically pleasing. A neomodern office building featuring a hyperbolic (inward curving) glass facade, upon its completion in 2016, it quickly won the
MIPIM Award for Best Office and Business Development in the world
. Highly praised by industry insiders, as well as local residents, the building is the headquarters for FRONTEX - the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, and the project includes the new public square -
Plac Europejski
, located between the three buildings. Worth a visit, the small square has a lot of features: trees, benches, fountains, reflecting pools, two large
murals
, an amphitheatre, a unique
Art Walk gallery
where changing exhibits are displayed, and an iconic 3D Instagram-baiting installation that says '
Kocham Warszawę
' (I Love Warsaw). What's more, there's something happening year-round, including concerts, film screenings, frequent live sports transmissions and an
ice rink in winter
. Of course there are cafes, bars and food options as well, making this a very unique place to hang out in Warsaw's business district, particularly after a visit to the
Warsaw Rising Museum
, which is just across the street.
ul. Chłodna 51
Finished in 1999, the Warsaw Trade Tower stands on the horizon like a tall, mutant pencil. Measuring 208 metres, the tube-like structure boasts some of the fastest elevators on the continent and ranks as the 5th tallest building in the city (for now).
